Happy New year to all. Here's to wishing everyone a productive, healthy, and happy 2007!! Hope everything works out the way you would like in whatever you may be pursuing. Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trini Christmas

A la Lime's post Christmas renovation is in full swing at my house, we are having our kitchen re-done (finally) But its SUCH a hassle, right now the function of a kitchen is located in several areas. Fortunately alot more has happened since I took this pic so we're well on the way, I can't wait to pull the ham from the oven and put it on the new counter.
Also had a chance to go shopping, its CRAZY in port of spain but I love it, especially walking down the middle of the road on charlotte street heheh. Didnt so much enjoy paying $4 for a apple J, I could get 45mins at the cybercafe for that! Some of the prices... :-/ Every year I tell myself you can't go around converting $US but then my dad says "a dollar is a dollar" and its true! When you hear some ridiculous number, you eh studyin to divide it by 6, you only saying LAWD LOOK AT MONEY!!
Anyways, I got sorrell on charlotte st. and a great jar for setting some wine I am going to take back for my other foreign friends (non-americans) for our planned "mini christmas in january" when we get back from break.
And guess what?!?!?! I flew american but my boyfriend flew bwee and stole me a blanket!! woohoo!! I welcomed him to the blanket stealing club. I always wanted a bwee blanket for the collection :-) And to besides when I offload the gifts here, I will need some padding for the bottles that i'm taking back hehehe

Till nex time... (this slow internet drivin me up de wall)

I'm leeeeavinnn on a jetplaaane....
pastelle sorrell black cake ponche de creme ham parang homemade wine here i come :-)

Stay safe for Christmas!!

"Mr. gentleman, you is to drink, I is to drive, yuh understand what ah sayin?
but yuh tellin me drink, doh frighten you go drive, and TWO AH WE drinkin!
I am de designated drinker, you is de designated driver!
If yuh know yuh cyah take de pressure, drink, I go drive,
but two ah we is not to be de same ting
because one ah de ting go put de two ah we in TROUBLE!"

-- Sprangalang

As requested: Christmas in NYC

What better way to start it off than with Santa in Macy's windows:

Just turn around, look up, and there's a Christmassy-looking Empire State...

Of course we have the ever-popular giant Christmas ornaments...

With Radio City Music Hall across the street

Snowflakes coming down in the background

And now the one you've been waiting for...

The Rockefella Tree

Its 80something feet tall and from Connecticut. Represent!


Just so you know, these pics took quite a bit of walking through thousands of people in 0*C. They are also unedited since I am still working on my class projects. Enjoy!

Why Wednesday - WHY?!?!?!?!

this post is SOOOO late...cuz I MAD busy and blogger was down for a while during the day:

WHY I HAVE TO LEAVE EVERYTHING FOR LAST MINUTE?!?!?! WHY?!?! I in a mess now to finish 3 projects in a week cuz I ALWAYS leave everything for last minute! But this time I think I reach a new level. PRESSHA!!

I have my own theory on an answer for this week's "why" but it would be funny to get some suggestions heheh

Anyways, thanks for stopping by to all the folks who have been checking out this blog. Sorry I don't post more often, I hope to get more organised after I get through the next 7 days.


till nex time...

a lil update...

Hi, just a few lines to say I'm still alive and haven't abandoned my blog. While I read every morning with my coffee (SOOO enjoying reading all the Trini blogs) I can't find time to write. With end of semester on top of me and final papers to write, plus shopping before I go home (I startin to look like flickin santa claus, it was suppose to be 2 lil gift for my nieces but yuh know how trinis stop when they know somebody travellin, jes so I come a mule) so blogging have to take a side for now. I have a request to post a picture of the Rockefella Xmas Tree so I suppose I will make a trip to NY for that plus some other errands in the city (and maybe a lil club while I'm at it hehe).

Till nex time...

Christmas Kickoff!

Yes yes I'm really getting in the Christmas mood now! Parang on in the car, lights up in my place, and my flight to Trinidad inching ever closer!! Over thanksgiving weekend I went up to Burlington, VT. I was a college freshman there, Its just a lovely place year-round. So they had their tree lighting ceremony and this is it! The tree is at the top of a cobblestone pedestrian mall called Church Street (note the steeple in the background), cozy shops and restaurants and now the tree to cap it off! Christmas is finally getting in full swing here with people decorating, there's wreaths and bows all over. All we need now is to have some ponche de creme over the weekend to relly get in gear!

Till nex time...

Why Wednesday - paid to kill

Let's get straight to the point:

Why do police officers get put on paid leave after murdering people??

By now you should have heard about those undercover police officers in Queens, NY shooting some guys outside a strip club. The men, just having been in an argument and seeing people in plain clothes pointing guns at them, understandably try to drive away. Claiming to have seen a gun on one of the men, the officers proceeded to fire 50 rounds at the group in their car. One of the officers yelled "he's got a gun" although he never saw it, nor was one ever found, thus prompting the spray of bullets. Of course the officers were too busy firing to notice that nobody was firing back or had EVER fired on them for that matter, although they would term the incident a "fire-fight". All this is happening while the suspect they could positively identify as having a gun in the club is running away. Why didnt they get HIM?? And why is that police in this country should be accused so regularly of using excessive force? Do they really feel so threatened? Or is it a power trip? A bit of both I think.

So many questions on this...

Why Wednesday - reflect...

Let me say up front that I actually DIDN'T think of this in the shower:

Why do people think about life and reflect and come up with ideas in the shower? Is it we're really so busy we have no other time to? Seriously I'm looking for suggestions here...


Happy Thanksgiving!

new ting

Change of template just for a friend who had trouble reading the old "white-on-black" text. This is a good one...what with all the beach talk, its appropriate to where I live...see? harbor/lighthouse/sky theme -> Lighthouse :-)

I miss Trinidad....#2

Las Cuevas
I am reading so many other blogs with people talking about working out so they could look hot in they Carnival costumes. I could just imagine the gyms and 'round de savannah, PACK! Me, I more the beach-conscious type, I SOOOO miss the beach, and it doesn't help when your college is on NASTY Long Island Sound, the "beach" is 1 minute walk from here but the water remind me of by the Lighthouse in P.O.S. Eeek! Can't wait to hit the north coast...

I miss Trinidad....

Actual sign posted somewhere in San Juan earlier this week:

"This driveway does NOT belong to the doubles man"

How yuh like dat? LOL LOL LOL!!


Only in Trinidad...

Why Wednesday - Are we stupid or what?

Ok I know in my first why wednesday I said I was really much into politics but hey current affairs affects us all and you should have SOME idea of what's going on in the world. My question for today is:

Why do politicians and public administrators purport to insult our intelligence by making statements contrary to or severely downplaying current news reports? Or making statements that completely bypass the core issue?

I can understand to some extent the need to try to seem in control or avoid any public outcry or hysteria, but come on now... what is a "phased redeployment" of troops? Are we meant to think it's a withdrawal or are they really just putting the same troops in another area of Iraq? And are we really supposed to believe that no more urgent action is being taken to deal with the nuclear bomb-building religious fanatics out there?
And on the homefront (Trinidad), National Security Minister, on the issue of unauthorised prisoner comminication with media houses said that prison regulations stated that prisoners were forbidden to use cellphones to communicate with those beyond the prison walls. Now tell me why prisoners have cellphones in the first place? Are they calling each other WITHIN the prison walls "aye boy wha goin on over by your cell block? I comin' over to lime a while so we could plan a lil' riot"

Sometimes you really have to ask yourself...

A question of dress

I met one of my professors in the hallway last week and for some reason we start discussing life lessons for students, you know, things professors teach you thats not on the syllabus. The School of Business Dean held a faculty meeting, and one of the things that came out of it was students' dress code. Fortunately I had class with him later on so I was dressed nicely (not that I am a sloppy dresser if I do say so myself, and anyway us MBA students tend to think of how we dress).

Being an hour away from New York, and having many students from the suburbs, we inevitably have a large body of students that follow the stereotypical African American thug-style dress code with oversized clothes all over the place. In fairness I should also mention the athletes who go to class in slippers and tank tops, and let me not forget the ones from further north who think pyjama pants are appropriate. So, said professor will henceforth no longer allow the wearing of caps in his class, will more actively discuss attire with his students, and as an added bonus will no longer allow students into the class who are more than 15 minutes late. How does the late thing tie in with dressing? Are students taking longer to dress sloppy and therefore arriving late to class?

Of course not. It's all a matter of discipline he is trying to underline. And I completely agree. I have been meaning to do a post about school uniforms for a long time, not that we necessarily wear "uniforms" at this level but I think the wearing of school uniforms instills a certain level of discipline and self awareness that certainly comes in handy later on in life. Why uniforms in ""? Because most of us comform, we wear what is considered appropriate, follow loose guidelines; all similar to the concept of a uniform.

I for one am all for uniforms and all the stuff that goes with it, the discipline, belonging blah blah. The opposing views about freedom of expression is bull-crap! There are so many other ways to express onself. But let us stay with the question of dress: how is it better to allow this freedom when it leads to teenagers dressing like bums to go to class? Does that not say "I don't care"? or "I don't know better"? There are no enforced standards in the name of freedom of choice/expression (mind u we are talking about pre-teens and teens) but then later on they are criticised for the way they dress and are suddenly expected to change. However there is no sense of what is appropriate, no sense of neatness, just wear the same "comfortable" (as opponents of uniforms would say) clothes all the time.

At least in Trinidad, where all schools enforce uniforms, when people get to university/college and they can wear whatever they choose and they wear the huge shirts and the baggy jeans, when the time comes for it they still do know how to wear a shirt and tie with pants that fit. Unfortunately there are some students here that you don't know if you want them at a school function or dinner because you are afraid of how they will dress.

So I applaud, and fully support, this professor in having the concern and courage to take a small step in repairing the damage.

Till nex time...


p.s. I wanted to add a pic but blogger playin de ass

Why Wednesday - dogs

Photo from today's Trinidad Express


And for my second installment:

Why do Trinidadian photographers, and cameramen for that matter, like to capture photos/film that include dogs? and POST them??!!

Albeit I think it's hilarious, ( Trinidadian dogs have a distinct personality heheheh) in light of the fact that these images are now available worldwide, one must wonder if it's the most professional approach to take in covering Trinidad news events.

Flying with Bwee - PRESSHA!!!

A post inspired by Manicou....

Now in my 6th year of school here in the U.S. (wow can't believe its been that long already), this is the first time I have a full-fare, confirmed seat, no standby ticket to Trinidad for Christmas. Alas it's on American Airlines. I shouldn't complain since I've travelled with Bwee the last 5 years using rebate tickets, but with some of the things I've seen people go through with Bwee....

Let's start at the start: the last time I flew American was 2001 on my way to Vermont to start college. Why American? it was cheaper in that it allowed a stopover in NY to visit with my family before going on up to school. One-way ticket paid for out of my own savings. So what happened when it was time for a visit to Trinidad? Enter my cousin, then a purser with Bwee. MANY of us know how it is to have family who work with an airline: rebate tickets! BUT you will always be a standby passenger. PRESSHA!!!!

It was jump seat fuh so! Even when my cousin was still flying and I would come back to NY when she was working the flight so she would get me on, it was still jump seat in meh ass! Jump seat in the galley. I remember once it was so busy in there, they put me to sit on some container in a corner while they moved the trolleys in and out. PRESSHA!! A couple times I got a seat in the cabin though, guess where? the exit row ones that don't recline. I doh know how those flight attendants get used to sitting straight up so whole time, well I suppose because they're NOT sitting whole time. But to be sitting facing the back of the plane...

Once I got to go in the jump seat in the cockpit. I'm sitting there looking at the instruments while the pilots tell me how against the rules it was that I am there LOL. "if anyone from the FAA comes in here, you are my niece." LOL How's that for a Bwee pilot? HAHAHAHAA SO funny looking back on it. Turned out that was one of the times I got a seat in the cabin, they realised there was a space when boarding was complete. Then there was the time my cousin got me in first class POS to JFK. I was at a window seat, nobody next to me and she bring a doubles she got by the vendor in the airport. A man on the other side of the aisle notices I eating doubles. Next time she came back, he asks how come everybody in first class not getting doubles? LOL Ah yes....good times....

Of course I have to talk about being stranded at the airport, JFK to be specific. Cuz let's admit it, you can't really be stranded at Piarco, Trinidad too small for that. But when you have to be crossing the Whitestone and paying tolls, and it taking long going through traffic...PRESSHA!!! I have thus spent a few nights well at JFK, talk about wanting to go home! Last year I think I spent TWO nights...they kept adding flights to try to get rid of all the overbookings (a great Bwee trait by the way) so we kept staying to try to get on. We? Yes yes, if you've ever flown standby, you know that you make friends with the other stand-by people. So it turns out several of us stayed overnight. I got there for the customary morning flights, didn't get on. Stayed for an additional afternoon flight, no luck. Still there were people who were overbooked left over. Then look! ANOTHER extra flight, hope on the horizon. Turns out it was a charter flight simply using a Bwee plane. What happened next was quite the spectacle for us stand-byers: Bwee put their overbooked on the charter, and BUMPED OFF people who pay dey good money for a charter flight home. Well I never see people cuss so! I surprised they didn't call security. In the meantime, we enjoying the entertainment; I mean we're flying for next to nothing so we get bumped, its expected, but these people....PRESSHA!!!

I hope the new airline has more strict standards about baggage, or maybe I should say ENFORCES the standards. It was always amusing to watch people open up their suitcases and repack on the floor by the check in counter. You ever see that happening at any other airline? I swear, the things people would pack to take to Trinidad, as if you can't get those things at home, soap? really now... And where does the stuff go that these people unpack to get their check-in pieces the right weight? In plastic bags they conveniently brought with them!! Now as far as I could tell, said plastic bags then go as carry on! so all the stuff is getting on the flight anyways! So much for the weight/no. of pieces restriction. Only Bwee....

Fortunately my cousin got outta there way before the true end came, so last year's ticket was the last "free ride" for me. And what a ride (or rides) its been! I have to say thanks to her, with all the nonsense, I've still been able to go home every year, sometimes twice a year. And with all the nonsense, in my Trinidadian nature, I will miss Bwee.


Till nex time...

Why Wednesday

In the fashion of my favourite morning radio show from back home, where callers are invited to express opinions in the form of a "Why..." question. e.g. "why do politicians make such STUPID remarks?" accompanied by a short summary of what provoked the thought. (SENATOR KERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!) But seeing as I am not much into politics, and only gave that one as an example... ;-)

I decided to start off this week with a somewhat frivolous "why", but one which caught my attention the last couple days even though its been right in front of me for quite a while:

Why do some ziploc bags have a "date and contents" label on them? I would think if you cant remember when you put something in there or you can't recognise what it is, THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T USE IT!!!!

till nex time...




maybe this will ensure that I post at least once a week haha

Cricket Lovely Cricket

The ICC Champions Trophy is currently being played in India and I have found a LIVE STREAM online through which I can watch our beloved West Indies team play in the tournament. Yes I repeat: LIVE STREAM.
So far, I have been able to watch 2 games, one being the nailbiting victory over India, where in classic 1-day international style we were counting balls vs runs at the end. But as was well as Samuels slapped Agarkar for a boundary to produce the winning runs. Not so today as West Indies batted first, posting a solid total of 272 which they were unable to defend. Yes this is what they are good at: inconsistency. Oh well....

As I was watching I was wondering how many Indians on this campus were watching as well (they also I have heard have a gift for finding streaming sports). They have formed a cricket club and had an intramural tournament, which I was never able to attend, but really wanted to!Don't get me wrong! I think it was a good move considering the number of international students here. Through that venture I also found out that Canada is sending a team to the Cricket World Cup, which will be held in the Caribbean next year. Yes Canada has a team.

So in spite of inconsistency, the West Indies has managed to make it into the Semi-Final round of the Champions Trophy. As defending champions one would hope they advanced to a respectable stage. But to win it all again would be legend. Not that they were in any sort of consistent form when they won 2004. So who knows...I somehow don't think the punters will be too aggressive this time around.

I could just imagine all the talk back home: "well dey get thru to de nex rounds" "yuh eh see how Lara throw way he wicket?!" "how dem fellas could loss to England?" "doh study dat, dem fellas lookin good" ... I miss that...

What a boost it would be for West Indies to win this thing going into the World Cup next year, especially since we are hosting it. But I think having gotten to the semifinals, we would, maybe I should change that to "I" would, settle for a respectable showing going forward from here: if we lose please don't get disgraced, at least make it a close one. Good luck fellas!!

till nex time...

Timeless

Since I'm on a music thing these days, I thought I would post another song, one of my favourites these days. Its from the aforementioned CD produced by Sergio Mendes, Timeless sung by IndiaArie. Enjoy!!!



Get music codes at Bolt