I have been volunteering in the children’s ministry of my church for about 5 years. For the past 3 Easters, I volunteered to help with the festivities for the kiddos. My church goes all out for Easter: activities include a bouncy house station, blow up basketball games station, an ice cream/video station, bible trivia station, and lastly, the group games and tattoos station, which I was in charge of this year. In the group games/ tattoo station, there was a huge box outlined in tape and divided in two, filled with colorful plastic balls. The kids were to be divided in two teams, hence why the box was divided in two, and the object of the game was for the kids to throw as many balls to the other side as they could, and the side with the least amount of balls would win the game. They had about a minute to do it. I had to facilitate this game and make sure everything ran smoothly. It was a little chaotic at times as kids were already starting to throw and kick balls before I even gave instructions, but overall it went well. The first graders followed instructions the best (LOL). As a first year teacher, I’ll be the first to tell you, managing a group of kids is no easy task haha but thank God for the teacher helpers and volunteers who helped keep the kids on task. After the game, the kids went to the tables and chairs in the back. The tables were filled with different tattoos, and the kids got to choose one, and put it on.
Full Circle Moment: While facilitating the games, my station helper handed me a microphone, being that the room was pretty big and there would be a great amount of children. It helped significantly with running the games and projecting my voice to reach everyone. When I finished facilitating the games, I had a full circle moment. These games took place in the church’s chapel. Years back, during my teenage years, I suffered with severe social anxiety, and I remember being in this same chapel, during youth service events, very anxious. During praise and worship, I was too scared to sing out loud or even lift my hands. I was always concerned about who may be looking at me. It was terrible, and I sometimes felt like God did not care, because I was not seeing results as quickly as I wanted to. But here I was, many years later, on the MICROPHONE, leading games, to a large number of kids, very boldly and very confidently. I told my mom in the car, “God got me on the microphone.” And only He could get the credit for that. What better day than RESURRECTION SUNDAY, to fully be in awe of the resurrection power that is available to all of us, and is in work in all of us, giving us the strength and power to do things we could never do on our own. You may be in a situation that seems very impossible and difficult, and may wonder where God is. He’s there with you, and can already see you totally delivered and free from what is binding you, though you may not be able to at the moment. With God, your situation will always end in VICTORY, so as my pastor always says, “If it’s negative, GOD’s not done. And if God is not done, you’re not done!”
I also wanted to share my Easter meal. My family has been requesting some roti and curry duck for so long, haha. My mom made some bussup-shut roti, curry duck, channa, and curried potatoes. It was sooooooooo yummy. Enjoy this picture.
I had the great pleasure of celebrating Christmas in Trinidad! My family had planned this for about a year, so as we got closer to Christmas time, excitement rose. This would be my first time being in a warmer climate for Christmas as I am so used to celebrating in cold New Jersey.
This trip was also a little more emotional for me than usual. A week before me and my siblings left for Trinidad, our grandmother(my dad’s mother) passed away. What made this sad is it was totally unexpected, but also, we would not get to celebrate with her. I remember tears started to roll down my face as soon as the plane landed in Trinidad, knowing that this trip would be a little different from what we have grown so used to.
My grandma’s service was the same day as our flight, so as soon as we landed, my uncle picked us up and rushed us to her service. We made it right before the end, were able to say our goodbyes, and then went to the cemetery. I remember feeling mixed emotions as the men dug up dirt, placed her coffin in the hole, and started to fill it up. The sky was getting darker, people were singing hymns, and I couldn’t help but wish I could have a final conversation with her. In spite of that, I was so happy that my grandma lived a very long, fulfilling life (94 years), and while I wish she could be with us a little longer, I know she also was growing older, and with that comes the aging process. I had a peace that we got to spend so much of our lives with her. Not seeing her in her house will be weird, emotional, and an adjustment, but her legacy lives through all of us.
Let’s talk about some of the highlights of this little trip.
On Christmas Eve, me, my dad, and brother went to Moruga Beach! I told my dad “This totally beats being in New Jersey.” He agreed. Moruga is not my favorite beach, but I still like it. We have been going there since childhood. The water is very warm, and the views are beautiful. On this same day, I consumed THREE doubles (don’t judge me) but I was living my best life (LOL).
On Christmas day, we had Christmas dinner at my grandma’s house. Then we went house hopping to two other relatives’ houses. In Trinidad, it is common for people to go from house to house, eat, bring gifts and sweets, chat for a little, and then move on to the next house. It is called paranging. We did the same on boxing day. When I tell you, I probably gained like 10 pounds from the delicious food I consumed. It was a time. Food from both days consists of fried rice, macaroni pie, duck, , lamb, gouti, bussup-shut roti, bbq chicken, ham, black cake, pone, sweet bread, poncho de crème(drink) and LOTS of my mama’s famous sponge cake (I TORE THAT UP😛)
Me and Sissy❤️
Something cool that also happened on this day was that a loud truck was blasting Parang music, and stopped at different locations to hand out presents to children. At one point, it stopped in front of my grandma’s house. There were two men dressed up like the Grinch and other people dressed up in their holiday colors. It was beautiful seeing that. I went outside and started dancing to the parang and totally soaked in the moment.
We took a beach day to Macqueripe bay on the Wednesday after Christmas, and had lunch at U-Pick Farm, not too far from the beach. The food was great. I had a burger with fries and watermelon and mint juice.
The water at Macqueripe Bay was so refreshing and beautiful. I could totally get used to going to warmer countries for Christmas!
This wasn’t a long trip as my flight was on Friday, so for the remainder of the trip, I just hung out with family and took it easy. I enjoyed spending time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was nice seeing everyone and I could not help but reminisce of all the beautiful memories we share. I love how God knows how to bring us all together.
grandpa❤️❤️❤️
Unfortunately, I got sick the day before I left. Not sure where it came from, but I had a migraine, stuffy nose, and a cough.
It went away after about two days but boy did it take me down, HAHA. Anyways, this was my first Trini Christmas, but for sure not my last. I look forward to the many trips to come. Love you my sweet Trinidad.
This weekend, I went hiking with the fam. I went to Watchung Reservation trails in NJ. There are multiple trails: some easier than others. We got lost and ended up hiking on more than one trail and I was able to see the differences between the trails. The harder trails involved twists, turns, going up steps/climbing, and were more narrow whereas the easier trails were wide and flat-surfaced for the most part.
Either way, I really enjoyed being in nature, despite having to shove away a few flying insects (haha). We were surrounded by tall trees, calm breezes, sounds of different creatures, creeks, and what we really wanted to see was the lake. The lake was large and greenish in color. Some people were fishing there, or just taking in the views. It was truly peaceful.
What I like about hiking is it is number one, a great form of exercise, but it also forces you to connect with yourself and others. It is a great way to relieve worries, stress, and focus on the present. There is something about being in nature that is healing to the soul.
I will admit, I am someone who exercises regularly, whether it be through the treadmill or home cardio/weights workouts: that helped tremendously during this hike, because hiking requires a lot of endurance. Even with that, I did not necessarily feel tired, but I was ready to go after about an hour LOL. Thankfully, there are different trails, and you can find one that works for you. Also, you have to start somewhere, so do not feel discouraged if you are ready to go early on LOL, that is just part of the process. I believe it is something you have to do regularly in order to gain endurance, but it is possible. Just throwing that out here for those that think hiking is all cute(LOL). It is a commitment: you may want to leave or find a shortcut( I thought about it) but you have to see it through. I hope to find more time to go hiking regularly in the future.
I also wanted to share my Trini Sunday lunch. For as long as I can remember, on Sundays, my mother cooked rice, red beans, chow mein, callaloo, stewed chicken, plantain, and sometimes macaroni pie. We alter it sometimes, but that is mainly the meal that is cooked. This particular Sunday, I requested pigeon peas, which my mother made with stewed chicken and fried rice. I made the macaroni pie: isn’t it pretty???? (hands down my fave dish )My sister made sorrel sangria, which was honestly a sweet way to end the weekend.
Summer is by far my favorite season. I just love the longer days, the hot sun, pulling out the floral dresses, rocking the sunglasses, and just being outside. Sounds of laughter, sunshine, family bbq’s, spontaneous ice cream trips, soaking in the warm breezes, and just the free time, is unmatched. Winter could never.
Life has been very CALM. I finished my student-teaching in June and will be a new first year teacher in September(will write more about this). I am currently on summer vacation(perks of being a teacher), and man has it been delightful. I have just been spending time with friends, family, and myself. It feels so good to just rest and take everything in. I also have taken some summer classes for my masters program in education.
Something cool and new: I was asked to speak in a panel to about 30 high school students about my journey to becoming a teacher. This was my first ever panel. Initially I was a little anxious, but it was so empowering and beautiful to be a part of that. A question that was asked was “What do you wish you knew when you were in high school?”My #1 advice to them was to prioritize learning about themselves, their passions, and desires. Sometimes, we get so caught up in comparison, timing, people-pleasing, titles or the idea of our ideal job, that we lose ourselves in the process, and potentially end up in a career that was never for us in the first place. Your career choice should not be for anyone but yourself and it is okay if it takes you a little longer. I also told them that their identity is not found in their career. With all of the pressure of finding the right job after college, it is easy to get discouraged, and compare yourselves to others who are in their career. It is also easy to put so much energy into applying to a million jobs that you do not feel worthy until you get the job. The reality is even when you do find the right career path, there is still so much growing and lessons to be learned: it is not just this cake walk, and mentally, you need to know who you are, apart from that job, because you will make mistakes and you will be tested. Overall, my main take-away was that they put themselves first and to enjoy the journey that is not a straight line. Start to look at yourself as the prize and opportunities will seek you!
Just a thought: maybe some of you can relate but whenever I am in a calm season, I sometimes tend to feel guilty or uneasy. I do not know why and I had to check myself several times this summer. Learning to just rest is not as easy as it sounds. God gives us rest and calm seasons for a reason, and it is a part of his plan. Learn to enjoy it and rest in His presence. He’s got you in the palm of his hands and nothing will ever separate you from his grasp.There is purpose in the calm and Thank God for the CALM: we all need it.
On a last note, summer needs to slow down just a little haha. I will dedicate the rest of my summer to resting, reading, writing, self-care, spiritual care, spending time with loved ones and preparing for the upcoming year.
Enjoy some of my summer highlights so far. Thanks for reading and see you soon.
Me and the clouds Trini version of Taboo was super fun playing with fam. Cousin’s Grad PartySo beautiful. 🤍When a random ice cream truck is selling ice cream on campus 😛Brunch at Stage House Tavern with my bestieSummer FitSome slamming 🇯🇲 food : fried chicken, rice and peas, plantain, and cabbage. I been craving this for a minute and this meal delivered. A night out ❤️❤️❤️Chicken Shawarma at Antika’s Grill
Antika’s Grill for friend’s birthday. GREAT VIBES: great food and great music
This is my seventh year going apple picking. What I love about apple picking is it feels so natural and pure. I also love the autumn vibes with the air a bit cooler and the different colors of the leaves starting to change. It just screams, HARVEST! There is just something about harvest time that I do not get in any other season.
Just pulling an apple off the tree and eating it with my family always feels so special. We take pictures pretending to pull apples off the orchard( fake natural LOL), but it is so much fun. It is also nice to see other families all dressed up in their matching flannel and Fall outfits. The vibe is always warm.
I usually go to Wightman Farms in Morristown, New Jersey. If you ever go, definitely try their apple cider donuts and apple cider slushie, I mean I am still currently dreaming of them. There is a little shop that sells baked goods such as pies, cookies, brownies, chocolate, donuts, candy etc: if I had the choice, I’d try everything, but that would not end well for me (LOL).
There is a hay ride that takes you around the farm and to the pumpkin patch. The pumpkin patch is fun to take pictures and everyone gets a free pumpkin. There is also a maze, playground for kids with a sitting area, apple slingshot game, and food stations(try the empanadas and thank me later).
Overall it is just a fun, simple, and calm activity to do with your loved ones. I 10/10 recommend.
I had the great pleasure of going to Trinidad this summer for two weeks. It has been five years since I was last there, so this trip was very special.
Before I could even start walking, I was covered in Trinidad sand(many photos to show). I have been going to Trinidad since childhood. The beauty of that is I have a second home and an unbreakable bond.
Upon exiting the airport, I smelled the fresh island air, and it felt so good. Memories and sentiments started to flood my soul. “SHE’S BACK”, I whispered to myself.
With all of that being said, my vacations in Trinidad are not the typical resort, beach, and sand vacation. Because I have family on the island, I stay with family, particularly by my grandma’s house in the countryside. You know what that means? Waking up to roosters, longer drives, nice breezes, more space, and one thing about the countryside is there are more vendors and family businesses. If you wanted some McDonalds or Subway, it would be a good drive(not that I recommend that HAHA).
What I love about staying with family is I get to experience real life in Trinidad. I get to experience driving around different areas, going to local markets/vendors, taking public transportation, eating authentic cuisine( everything tastes better in Trinidad, no lie), going to the mall or movies, different beaches and overall just doing more than what I would usually do on any other island. It literally feels more like I am living there as opposed to a vacation, which is very cool.
I admire the pureness of the countryside. Residents do not seem to care about appearance and their way of life is very simple. I could not help but notice how different island life is, compared to life in the United States. It is just very slow, unbothered, and chill, which is why it makes for a great escape from the bustling life of the USA.
Keeping it real though, whenever going on an island, like Trinidad, you have to make some adjustments!
Let’s talk about THE MOSQUITOES. Ya girl got RAVISHED. The thing about Trinidad is it is hot all year, and therefore, houses such as the one I stayed in, may have small holes as a design, meaning any bug or creature can come in. Doors and windows also remain open for fresh breezes. So, it is not uncommon to see a lizard running on top of the ceiling, a swarm of ants somewhere, or being devoured by mosquitoes inside. It felt like my legs were on FIRE. Like 100 mosquitoes attacking me at once. The insects in the Caribbean are just on another level, if you know, you know.
Driving in the countryside requires a bit more effort and patience, because some of the roads are not in the best condition (potholes, bumps, narrowness) and there are many twists and turns. Where we stayed was a good distance from the beach and other sites, so the rides could be bumpy, swirly, and long, depending on the area.
It gets dark around 7 so the day may feel shorter and some businesses close early, so there is that to consider. You do not have the luxury to just jump on the road and try to make a late-night run, depending on the area. You have to be mindful of traffic, because you may not have an alternate way to get to a specific destination. You have to be mindful of crime, especially if you are in an unfamiliar area. The police are not as reliable as in the U.S.A, so you have to follow your instincts.
Bottom line, there is just more to consider. I REALLY noticed that during this trip. I have to make another post about this topic, because there is just so much to say.
MY NUMBER ONE highlight of my trip was spending time with family!!! My maternal grandmother is the only grand-parent who can still travel and use technology, so thankfully I still get to see her in both countries. However my maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother are in their 90’s and cannot travel anymore. I loved the quality time I was able to spend with all of them. My grandfather still dances, is a neat freak and is always cleaning the yard, and still has his goofy personality. My paternal grandmother is still sharing stories and on her feet. Man, what a blessing that is, to still have them.
GRANDPAAAAPATERNAL GRANDMA ❤
I also enjoyed time with my aunts, uncles, and immediate family by going to the beach, restaurants, relative’s homes, day trips to Port-of-Spain and Paramin, and just being in the motherland!!
There is just something special about being in the place that birthed many of my ancestors and plays a role in my identity. I always feel so warm in T&T!!!!
My favorite activities were the Caroni Bird Sanctuary, Paramin Tour, U-Pick farm restaurant, Macqueripe Beach, and Port-of-Spain.
The Caroni Bird Sanctuary is a swamp ride through the Caroni River. The highlight of the tour is seeing the Scarlet Ibis birds, very bright red and beautiful birds. The first hour of the ride, we were surrounded by trees, and the tour guide would stop to point out snakes, crabs, other creatures, and history. My favorite part of the tour was seeing the birds. The birds are the most visible in the most open and spacious part of the river. We passed flamingos, and the boat motor was turned off at this part. One word to describe this: tranquil. Breathing in the tangy marshy air, seeing the birds fly graciously over the trees, and feeling overwhelmed by the sound of the river, was indescribably peaceful.
U-Pick Farm Restaurant is near Macqueripe beach. We originally wanted to have breakfast under the bamboo trees, but an event was taking place there. Instead, we had breakfast inside of the building. The ingredients are fresh, so do not expect a super sweet smoothie, haha, but I love that the food and drinks are healthier. I had the chicken and waffles with a berry refreshing smoothie: the waffles were AMAZING and the chicken was 7/10. I enjoyed my smoothie and loved that it was in a cute mason jar. I definitely recommend it.
Macqueripe Beach is in northern Trinidad. It is one of my favorite beaches because the water is clear and refreshing. It is also very scenic. This is a beach where you have to be careful, because there is a drop. It used to be a submarine base.
PARAMIN TOUR!!!!
I had never been to Paramin before this trip. Paramin is a mountainous village located in Northern Trinidad. It is part of Maraval. Two words to describe it: MOUNTAINOUS YET MARVELOUS. A tour guide drove us around the area. No lie, it felt like I was on a roller coaster: there were ups, downs, and swirls. I was really praying on this ride (LOL), because of how narrow the roads are and the fact that it is on a mountain, you have to be very careful and strategic, or else you can get into a serious accident.
The tour guide drove us around while explaining the history of the area, teaching us some of the french-creole that is spoken in the area, and folklore. We stopped by a high point where you could see Port-of-Spain, a church, a wine lady(HER WINE WAS BOMB), a house where ladies were selling goodies (fudge, tambran balls, sugar cake, nut cake, kurma, and more, just pure heaven), a cave, an area with pomerac trees and sour cherries, and the best part, the highest point! The views were breathtaking. This tour was very insightful, fun, and beautiful. I 10/10 recommend!!! Our tour guide was Carlos and he was the best!!!
See what I was talking bout????Peep Port-of-Spain in the back Highest point: Paramin lookoutgrandma ❤Would you live on a hill like this?
Paramin lookout
Isn’t this so beautiful? I SEE YOU GOD
Port-of-Spain
This is the capital of Trinidad, maybe most known for carnival! This is where everyone parades around in their costumes to loud soca music. My aunt took me and my brother around the city. We saw historical landmarks, carnival hotspots, went by Queen’s Park Savannah, souvenir shops, chinatown, and the cathedral basilica of the Immaculate Conception. It was very nice, definitely a totally different vibe from the countryside. The buildings were very old-fashioned, and there were more American franchises(subway, dairy queen, etc). The views are hilly and beautiful. My aunt would point out where she used to hang out and where my dad used to work, when they were still living in Trinidad. It was very sentimental and delightful. Took the water ferry back home!
cathedral of Immaculate Conceptionpassion fruit snow cone gave me life
That is it for Trinidad’ 22. Always a good time!!!!!! Till next time!!!!
distinct smell upon entering apartments. snow cones during summer-time. the infamous ring of the apartment door. roti shops. murals. trini, jamaican, and guyanese flags. sound of the subway. want some turkish food? indian food? african food? museums. parks. brownstones. plastic on couches. gardens. cafés. soca, dancehall and calypso playing. zoos. corner stores. churches. west-indians. parties. bikes. it’s a vibe.
Some of my youngest memories are in Brooklyn. My family used to go to church in Brooklyn every Sunday. I remember going to Sunday school with my cousins, and we had so much fun together. I remember the white stockings, puppets, mimes, plays, and long drives from Jersey. We would get Tunnock’s milk chocolate caramel bars(Scottish chocolate bar that is sold in West Indies) and Jamaican beef patties after service.
Me at 4 or 5 at church in BrooklynMe and my cousins at Sunday school. I am in the middle, holding the barbie doll.
Since most of my aunts, uncles, and cousins lived in Brooklyn or Queens, we were in those two boroughs often, especially Brooklyn. One of my aunts would let us spend the night by her, and we would do activities in Brooklyn, like going to museums, going out to eat, going to the Brooklyn bridge, Coney Island, among other things. Those Nathan fries hit every-time LOL.
I experienced many Brooklyn backyard bbq’s full of games, laughter, and fellowship. I remember playing “red-light, green-light 123” and “Mother May I” with my siblings and cousins. It was always a vibe. I hated leaving NY to come back to Jersey haha. So much love and memories.
Now that I am older, I just appreciate the liveliness and excitement. There is always something going on. You really don’t need a car, for a lot of things are walking distance or you could just hop on the subway. I love that it is a place where spontaneity thrives, because you do NOT need to plan(maybe for some things), but it is not necessary. There are a variety of cultures represented. It is rich in history, art, food, and on a personal level, as a trini descendant, I love that West-Indian culture is celebrated. If I want some doubles, I have many options. You don’t really get that in other places.
It’s a vibe.
My parents and most of my aunts and uncles lived in Brooklyn after immigrating from Trinidad. I believe my family history also plays a role in why Brooklyn is so special to me. It is where my parents worked several jobs, went to college, and built the foundation of the life I now live. My parents always point out where they used to live, the church they used to attend, and reminisce on times past. I have several photos of my parents and other family members in Brooklyn, when they first arrived and settled. I love it.
I remember walking in Brooklyn recently, and there was this familiar feeling that I always get. When you are in a place often, or have been, there is a part of you that the place takes, and every-time you return, it welcomes you back. Feelings, sentiments, memories, return. It is like you forgot how much this place really meant to you, perhaps because of time or life. Whenever I step foot in Brooklyn, I reunite with the love, laughter, and fullness that I have experienced there for many years. Much love to you, BK ❤
Me and my cousins at churchPark SlopeBrooklyn MuseumBrooklyn MuseumBed-Stuy!
I acknowledge that everyone’s journey is different and this will not apply to everyone, but just sharing my experience!
I know that taking a break after college or taking a year off is usually frowned upon because we are in such a fast-paced society, but it may end up being the best decision you could ever make. Just to be clear, I did not intentionally take two years off after college before getting into my “career or field,”it just happened that way.
If you would have told me that I would be working in retail for two years after graduating college, I probably would have been very confused. When I got my retail job at the beginning of my senior year in college, I guess I just thought of it as a job to help provide while still a student, but I had the mentality that once I graduated, I would go straight into my career(which I was still unsure about). It did not quite happen like that for me.
I graduated in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic first started, and I believe that played a little role in me not diving into a career immediately upon graduation, but on top of that, I did not know what career to pursue. I applied to so many different type of jobs that I thought would suit me like editorial jobs, publishing jobs, even teacher assistant/apprenticeship jobs, and NOTHING. I thought I would be able to easily get any job either because of my degree or my prior job experiences, but NO. I literally did not know where to turn. It was like I hit a dead end. But let me tell you why that was such a BLESSING IN DISGUISE.
It forced me to GROW! You do not grow when everything makes sense or always happens based on your own understanding, it is actually the opposite. Not having any answers really just pushed me to confront my own inner issues. Why was I such in a hurry to find a job? To prove myself to others? To feel important? To make more money? Once I started to dig deeper, I realized my intentions and focus were in the wrong places, and I was able to mature and shift my focus.
Even as I was continually working at my retail job, God humbled me, by making me realize that I was putting too much value in the jobs that I was seeking, and less on Him. With that kind of attitude, it is almost as if I forgot that I prayed for the job I currently had. My retail job was still providing for me IN A PANDEMIC, the hours were pretty good and convenient for me, and I genuinely had a good time there, so why the hurry. Yes, we should never remain complacent and yes, we all eventually want what’s next for us, sometimes BEFORE its time, but that is no reason to devalue your current situation. God brought out patience, maturity, and humility in me through this. Instead of praying for a next job, my prayers went like, “God, I trust your timing. You are an ON-TIME GOD. You know the plans you have for me. I believe you are opening up the right door at the right time, and when you tell me to GO, I will go, but in the mean-time, I want to honor you in my current season, where you have me.” THAT REALLY HELPED ME! At the end of day, GOD KNOWS BEST. It’s better to wait and trust, than to rush and bust.
The time off after graduation gave me so much clarity about myself and my desires. I was able to BREATHE. God spoke to me in so many different ways. I actually could be still and listen to Him more. I could take the time and get into His word and learn more about Him. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” I was able to seek God deeper, and little by little he began to show me what to do, and revealed what was already inside of me.
As time progressed, I just thought of classes in college that made me super passionate and excited. They involved creative writing along with African-American and Caribbean literature. I also thought about how much I loved working with children, both as a camp counselor and as a children’s church volunteer. It was like a light bulb popped for me. I thought to myself, “Wow, if I could be an educator in a subject that makes me passionate, I think I would be so happy and fulfilled.” I never thought these type of thoughts before, in fact, I usually dismissed them, so the fact that I was having this moment, meant much to me.
Not going to lie to you though, being an educator was not always on the top of my list, or else I would have gotten into that field straight out of college. For some reason, I associated negative experiences with school, and did not want to have a career in a school. Whenever one would ask me if I wanted to be a teacher, it was a quick “NO!” It actually even took me a while to accept that teaching was the route I would explore and pursue for myself, at whatever cost. But once I accepted that this was the route I would be pursuing, I could put forth more action such as taking the Praxis tests with the hope of getting the right opportunity.
Fast forward to May 2022, exactly two years after graduating from Rutgers as an undergrad, I am going to grad school to get my masters in education. The program that I am doing will prepare me to be a teacher within a year and allow me to experience being in a classroom setting. I am very excited to finally be working towards this career and going in the route that I believe God is leading me in. I still do not have all the answers, but I am trusting God each step of the way.
I write all of this to say, do not allow the timing of your journey to diminish your purpose and calling. I KNOW sometimes it feels so dry, hopeless, and desolate, but the MOST HIGH has you exactly where you are for a specific purpose. Only GOOD can be associated with GOD, so if you are not feeling GOOD, just keep waiting and trusting. Once you make God your focus, EVERYTHING CHANGES. The amount of clarity and knowledge that comes with seeking God is something you’d never get, trying to put matters in your own hands.
While I am very ecstatic to start this new chapter, I am also in the process of unlearning and saying goodbye to the routine that I have been in for the last two years. Since I was not in my career, and pretty much just home most of the time, despite working at my retail job, doing errands and hanging out with my day ones, I had ample FREE TIME which was definitely a luxury that we all need in life sometimes. Well that will change as I will have much more responsibilities and duties to attend to upon starting grad school and eventually my career, so I am currently mentally preparing for that, and trying to enjoy the last pages of this current chapter. Don’t get me wrong though, I am super grateful and excited to finally pursue a career in education, and moving forward into my destiny. It is only up from here.
I celebrated my 24th birthday last month. I do not consider myself one of those “birthday week or birthday weekend,” type of gals. I like to keep it simple with close friends or family. I never go all out, which may change in the future, but just is not me right now.
Anyways, this year I decided to go to my sister’s apartment in Brooklyn and just spend a couple days. I LOVE Brooklyn, and I might have to make a post about why, but it definitely feels like a second home to me. A lot of my family lives there and I grew up going to their houses often as well as going to church in Brooklyn, and it holds so many dear memories. I’m talking we used to go to Brooklyn every week( I’m in Jersey so it is not super far LOL).
The day of my birthday was actually sunny and warm, so I was thinking of trying a new restaurant that I had researched, but it started raining heavily in the late afternoon, so I decided to stay in. My sister ordered some Wing Stop and we just chilled and watched Married at First Sight: one of my favorite shows. Being the introverted, home-body I am, that was perfectly fine with me. We also bought some cupcakes and wine.
The next day, I did a little shopping in the area, and HAD to stop and get some DOUBLES. Brooklyn is home to many West Indian businesses, which is one of the reasons I LOVE being there, and there is a Trini roti shop near my sister’s place that is amazing. I bought a red solo (those who know they know) to drink along with the doubles and ate myself happy.
Later that day, me and my sister went to a restaurant called, Kumo Sushi, and I ordered teriyaki shrimp, with mashed potatoes and veggies. I also tried the salmon-avocado sushi roll: really good! My sister ordered the teriyaki salmon bento box. For appetizers we ordered fried calamari and scallion pancakes: SUPERB. The food was delicious! I just wanted something light because of all of the junk I consumed prior haha and this was perfect.
fried calamari and scallion pancakesme and my sister’s platesMe and Sis (me-right)
All in all, it was simple, yet very delightful. I am fortunate to have a very outgoing, adventurous sister who is always down to have fun. She was the perfect person to spend this birthday with! This was actually the first birthday I ventured out a little. If I did not go to Brooklyn, I probably would have just stayed home and ordered food LOL.
I have to also mention that my mother’s birthday is three days after mine, so we always celebrate as a family together with a dinner and cake: this is the case every year. I love it. I just wanted to do something a little different this year, for myself.
As someone who never cared to celebrate herself, I am evolving and actually feel like birthdays are definitely worth celebrating and trying new things. I hope moving forward, I get more spontaneous and creative with my birthday! I am thinking of doing something special for my 25th! We shall see.
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” Matthew 18:1-35
I find it very interesting that Jesus magnifies children as the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. You would think He would say preachers, prophets, or people who dedicated their lives to serving Him. But no, children.
If you really think about it, children are precious, but can often be viewed as helpless, annoying, needy, exhausting, etc. Children are not always looked at in the highest regard.
For some reason, as a child, I always felt like the adults were the lucky ones. They got to stay up late, leave the house at their leisure, buy anything they wanted, and live freely without rules or punishment. Feeling like a kid sucked sometimes because we were limited.
LET’S BE REAL. A lot of us were very excited to become adults because of the freedom associated with it, and that is fine. We would have the power to create the life we wanted without others enforcing their agendas on us, though that still happens sometimes, we ultimately would have the power. As an adult now, I’M LOVING IT, because of the independence!
However, there are some child-like traits that I want to have again that got lost in the midst of growing up in this world.
I remember in third grade, I decided to draw my whole class these random pictures, and put them in these white envelopes with their names on it. I do not know what compelled me to do this, but I did it. Looking back, I find that to be totally BOLD. These pictures were not Picasso material, and yet I still had enough confidence to give them out, despite what my classmates would have thought. My classmates were very intrigued and were all talking about what kind of pictures they got. It did put me in a vulnerable position, because I did not know how the pictures would have been received, but the bottom line is, I DID IT. Now, if I were to do that today, there probably would be more hesitancy and doubt, because of the over-thinking that comes with being an adult.
In fourth grade, I ran for class president! FOURTH GRADE! I remember making my posters and saying my speech in front of the whole school in the auditorium. TALK BOUT BOLD. Even though I did not win, the fact that I still put myself out there just showcases the inner-courage that was already inside of me.
I felt like as a kid, everything just seemed more exciting, even the small things. Life was approached as a mystery and wonder. As we age, the spark gets lost, and it is up to us to find it again. I truly miss not caring what others thought and just doing what I said I was going to do, without overthinking, doubting, or worrying. I miss where my imagination used to go. I miss being unapologetically me. I had no reputation to cling to or money to worry about. I legit had nothing to show for. I was just being me.
I think this is what Jesus was implying. When you are a child, you believe everything, without getting so deep in thought. You do whatever you have to do, without fear of judgment because you are not all up in your head.
Being like a child would entail us fully depending on God, as we would our parents, and not in anything we have. As adults, we sometimes allow our career, social status, accomplishments, income, relationships, good deeds, etc to define, sustain, or qualify us, when in reality, God could care less about that. GOD OWNS THE WORLD, you think He cares about those superficial qualities? Being like a child would mean letting go of your roles, titles, status, possessions, or any earthly label in exchange for God’s word, purpose, and process. It means TRUSTING in God, no matter what. It means taking YOU out of the equation. Jesus regards this behavior as the highest in the Kingdom of heaven.
Jesus himself, the king of kings, was of NO REPUTATION. That should blow your mind. His life was dedicated to serving others and God, even though He had the power to do ANYTHING. He could have lived any life he wanted, but chose to be a SERVANT. He could care less about people’s opinions because He knew his purpose, which was to honor God, even if it made him look lame, silly, or unpopular. God’s kingdom was regarded higher than the things of the Earth. In other words, if you think Earth is the best you’ve seen, then you are living a lie, because Heaven is 10X better. Streets of GOLD????? Yeah, okay.
Bottom line, I think we should strive to let go of any earthly obsessions and just get over ourselves. Yes, love yourself, and build the best life you can, but at the end of the day, we’re nothing without God. As humans, we sometimes act very prideful, as if we are invincible or the best thing to ever walk the Earth, based on materially or superficial qualities, but we’re not. When we die, our bodies will become dirt, and it is only our spirits that will live on. Feed the spirit and magnify your spiritual identity, because you are a spirit. Make a bigger deal about what is unseen, rather than what is seen. Real riches are in Heaven! Surrender your bodies to God because He can do so much more with it than we can. Let go of any selfish ambitions and desires that do not benefit anyone but yourself.
I am not saying that you should not invest in yourself, take care of yourself, or enjoy your life. I’m not saying you can’t have nice possessions, or have a luxurious life. God has an abundant, enriching life for us all (AND I WANT GOD’S VERY BEST, HONEY). I just think we sometimes make a bigger deal out of superficial, temporary earthly fantasies that do nothing for us in the long haul. Just make sure that the things of the Earth DO NOT DEFINE OR HAVE YOU! The true path of life is one of surrender and service to God, even if it looks crazy to the world. God has MORE for us than what we think we want or what the world promotes, best believe that.
Trust me, I am still learning to apply these principles to my life and make changes. This message is definitely for me too. It is challenging because everything is always about what the flesh wants, and as a result, we neglect our spirits. It is truly a spiritual fight, EVERYDAY. But like a child, we must cling to God, and let go of ourselves. It will be a process, but a very worthwhile one.
Dominique 