A Look Back

It's December and I'd like to pretend I am able to look back all the way from January at my most memorable moments this year...the truth I can't remember that far back on my own. Maybe if I have a conversation with some friends their memories will help to fill in mine and vice versa. I should try to change that in the new year. Oh well.

There are a few moments I remember quite vividly this past year that are worth celebrating:

• I graduated from university! Earlier in the year I would have said "I finally graduated from university" but I think that is a fairly negative statement to make about myself. Instead I am choosing to change the tone of the sentence and be more positive, celebrating the journey as well as the destination. See what I did there. The power is in your hand to be positive or negative about life's situations.
• I was able to celebrate my 26th birthday with family and friends, creating some lovely memories and laughter.
• I participated in a community dance project with a famous Montreal based dancer (so grateful for the opportunity!! Still rather excited about it). To get feedback about my dancing and to even learn about myself as a person, not just a dancer was amazing.
• I had to deliver some very sad news to many loved ones. But even in a time of sorrow, happy memories were made. Went to my first baseball game! Pretty lovely experience. Next goal is a hockey game. Even if I may not be able to see the puck I'm sure I'll have a grand time hahaha.
• This I took a plane and did not shed a tear. Every time I fly I always, always always always cry on the flight especially during take off and landing. One of the hardest flights to take because I had to pack up my life and move unexpectedly and not necessarily to greener pastures or better opportunities, but I did it and shed not one tear. I know the next flight I take I'll be asked to get off the plane because I'll be crying so much hahahaha. Jokes.
• I celebrated my first Saint Lucian Christmas after 5 years of being away from home. What a wonderful experience just being with family and family friends.
• Believe it or not, I had my first bite of black cake in my life this year. Still don't think I'll be eating it like crazy but hey, I tried it.

Those are just some of the many awesome and difficult things I had to deal with this year. I am thankful for all that happened and pray that 2013 closes peacefully. I also pray that 2014 opens with a grand celebration even if only mentally, for I know it is going to be a fabulous year for me!

Cheers

_V

Let Yourself

Let yourself be 

inspired 

to create, 

to express, 

to be.

Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

I lose focus easily. I will admit to it. I get distracted extremely easily. A number of times I begin something, full of vigour and excitement. A breeze passes with a different tune and I want to drop everything to follow that new tune. Clearly that's not going to get me very far in life. I'll be dancing around like a crazy person with no sense of direction.

There's quite a bit on my mind right now, much of which I can't just spill the beans about, but what I will say is I'm fighting to remain focused. My mind and heart have a way of tricking me into thinking the new breeze is where I want to be, but my gut is saying "You know what happens when you lose focus...eventually you get hurt and/or disappointed and come back to that original tune. So why stray in the first place?" Which is true. I'm trying to look at the big picture and not at any one tiny speck, for fear that I let that speck overpower the actual picture.

Remain focused on your prize. If you feel yourself slipping take a moment to rethink all the emotions involved. Is this the right thing for me to do? Should I continue on my current path or should I change? Answer honestly and take your time to answer. Once the decision is made, hop to it!

-The Empress

Words of Advice

By far the best profile picture I have ever seen on Facebook EVER!

I'm off...

Life Is A...

Life is a:

• stage. Get ready to perform
• field. Get ready to play
• canvas. Get ready to paint
• plate. Get ready to cook.

Living. Learning

I try to remind myself that everything happens for a reason, and God has a plan for me; especially in the field of love.

So many times in the past few years I've felt like I've met someone amazing or awesome and want to explore the possibility of there being an "us" but circumstances beyond my control (I'm not too convinced about the control part) stop the exploration.

Being occasionally optimistic I tell myself that it was God giving reminders that there are good, cool, interesting guys out there and my husband is there too. I won't lie and say that's the end. I do feel teased and taunted by these reminders. One analogy I used to one guy was "it's like I've been given all the ingredients to make brownies and as I open all the packages and am about to dip the measuring cup in, all the ingredients get taken away."

At times I want to cry, a big cry and let past, recent and current issues be washed away, but that won't happen. I keep my head up and keep moving. It's tough but I can handle it.

"Whether the cup is half full or half empty doesn't matter. What matters is that there's something in the cup to drink - Shani Victorin"

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next. Amen. --Reinhold Niebuhr In loving memory of Fr Bertram Griffin -- 1932-2000 Requiescat in Pace

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3, 5-6

A Day of Love

Who would have thought I would do a Valentine's Day post...certainly not me. But I woke up this morning, opened the door and walked into the kitchen to see this

and I smiled. She reminded of what Valentine's Day really is about - appreciating those who are close and dear to you. This simple gesture really put a pep in my step today. And although I missed two buses and was chilly while waiting for the bus I still had a little smile on my face because I knew that I was loved and appreciated by someone.

I never have a valentine and I've grown to be fine with that. When I was younger I really wanted to have one. I really wanted someone to give me flowers and chocolates or just some sort of a something, but as I've gotten older it really doesn't matter to me anymore. If I were in a relationship I'm not sure I would expect anything on Valentine's Day because the "love" or whatever appreciation we had for each other would be felt every day not just on one specific day.

To those of you who celebrate it "Happy Valentine's Day"

To those of you who celebrate V-day's twin sister "Happy Singles Awareness Day"

Simple Reminders

Sometimes we just need a reminder, whether it's from your body or from someone else, take time to rest. Take time to relax. Take time for yourself. Spend some time alone.

Be Prepared!

Today a hurricane hit my country. I am thousands of miles away and not being with my family or friends is making me anxious. I am hoping that all my family members and friends were wise enough to be prepared. Saint Lucians have a history of taking hurricane watches very lightly because of odd diversions that have happened in the past. Better safe than sorry. Some times it's not even the big hurricanes that cause the most damage. It's the tiny tropical storm, case in point Tropical Storm Debbie. One can't be too prepared for something like this, and one should hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Here are a few hurricane tips that I hope my loved ones did and for the next storm that may be rolling your way:

1. Secure all important documents in a water proof container. This includes passports, birth, death, wedding, divorce, graduation, etc. certificates, photos, letters, cards, anything that may get destroyed by water damage.

2. Have a hurricane disaster kit. This kit should include canned foods, drinking water, medication anyone in the family uses, first aid supplies, and batteries.

3. Listen to official weather advisories. Don't listen to he say she say. I heard it not coming our way. I heard it not going to do anything. If the country is on a hurricane watch, know what that means. If it's under a hurricane warning, know what that means. Better safe and prepared than sorry.

4. Have an emergency plan for your family and your pets. Many people have died trying to save animals/livestock and even other people. Know your nearest emergency shelter. Have a back up place to meet. Make sure everyone in the family knows this as well, especially younger children. It's a good practice not only for a hurricane but for everything that your children know your full name, not mommy or daddy, your home telephone number, your cellphone and/or work telephone number and your home address (or how to get home if you live somewhere like Saint Lucia that doesn't have house numbers lol). In case of accidental separation or something of that sort, you or any member of your family can possibly go to the police station or fire station or somewhere safe and give the relevant authorities some sort of contact information to get in touch with you.

5. Stay calm. I understand that this may be difficult in an emergency, but it is important that you stay calm and you keep everyone around you as calm as possible. There's a difference between being scared and panicking.

There are other tips available, and I'm sure various weather authorities and even government authority or emergency authorities will remind people of in times like these. It's the hurricane season. Be prepared!

Nomadic Massive @ Trent!

I must say I'm not one to go to concerts or things of that sort at the school; well it depends on what the concert is about to be honest. Anywhos. I'm involved with the World Affairs Colloquium at Trent and our first event was hosting a workshop with some of the members of the band Nomadic Massive.

Now if you haven't heard of them, google and youtube them lol. They are a group based in Montreal and they promote social justice through hip hop. Say word...word! lol. The workshop wasn't as interactive as probably the members would have liked and possibly the audience as well, but that was because of time constraints. I swear they needed to come for about 5 hours or so. It was quite interesting and refreshing to listen to people talk about real life and the real side of hip hop. It's refreshing and inspiring to hear someone say the same thing you've been thinking even though it's related to a different topic. One of the band members, Meduza, said something which I totally agree with and find that Saint Lucians are not doing. There is a vast difference in just sitting and complaining about what is going on and the situation you're in as compared to acknowledging it and moving forward from there. The stories of the work that each member does, how they came together and their very own upbringing is truly amazing and worthy of the hours spent with them. Friendships have possibly been formed through this interaction.

This workshop and concert has reminded me that I should not be living to merely get by or to satisfy the beliefs and desires of others, but to use this life I have to bring about the change I really want to see in this world. It also reminds me that I have the power and there must be people who share the same passion as I do, so I don't have to do it alone. I urge you to find out more info about Nomadic Massive and what they do. Google them ;)

Our Song

I find joy in the simplest of things, and this is one of them. Imagine two grown people singing this nursery rhyme for each other and meaning the world to each other when they do.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are gray.
You never know dear how much I love you.
Please don't take my sunshine away.

May you remember to appreciate and cherish the little things in life.

A Gentle Reminder

Haha C, this is especially for you.

My beloved friend Courtney and I were speaking this evening about singing (among other things). I told C I'm sure she sings better than I do, heck I'm sure a lot of people sing better than I do most times lol. It was then she reminded me of something I said two years ago..."God did not give me a voice to sing, he gave me feet to dance" which is definitely something I would say. I like to say people think of it as the glass being half empty or half full, where as I say amen there's something to drink. Be grateful for what you have, and even if you don't have the best version of something enjoy it to.

I would also like to say sorry for all the rain...I have been singing a lot lately LOL.