Tag Archives: Selkies

Things All Trini’s Should Know – Folklore

Corruption by Jason Jarvis. www.jarvisarttt.com

Corruption by Jason Jarvis. http://www.jarvisarttt.com

Diary Post 26: The Struggle Is Real

The Struggle Is RealHave you ever felt like your flag is flying at half-mast? I swear that has been me for the past few months. True, I have and have had a lot going on but who doesn’t? I wake okay (late); once I have my coffee I’m good for a couple of hours. Then comes 1 pm. You see that dog in the picture? throw some long black hair on her and that’s pretty much me for the rest of the day. Don’t get me wrong, give me a remote and a comfy couch and I’m in heaven. Lazing around is one of my favourite pastimes. However, when you have a life and a busy one at that, chilaxin‘ all the time is a big no no. Actually, it’s not chilaxin‘ because all I do is worry about all the things I am not doing or not doing well enough. Never mind other people’s standards; I like to be fabulous at whatever I do.

In my efforts to ‘pull myself together’, I had a long talk with my maker. One of the things I wanted to revive was my diary posts. Writing is something I love to do but I’m always too tired or I can’t concentrate or  I’ll use the most common phrase used by all my fellow procrastinators – ‘I’ll do it just now’.

I had a slight improvement this week, nothing to talk about because I still have a lot of outstanding work. It is Friday night as I write (I’ll most likely edit this tomorrow). I’ve done my laundry, tidied my house and now, I’m writing my diary post which I’ll be posting every Saturday. Not bad. I’ve also been reading a hilarious book, The Duppy by Anthony C. Winkler. I literally laugh as I read. My mission is to finish it on Saturday while I’m under the dryer. Maybe I’ll pick it up tonight again if my eyes stay open past 10 pm. Slowly but surely I’ll be the ole Vanessa again. It will take some repetition and scheduling but a girl’s gotta to do what a girl’s gotta do.

Organization Is Essential For Productivity

20150701_123921Today I start writing book two of Selima and the Merfolk. Tentatively, I have named it Corallian, you will see why when I release the cover. I have signed up to Camp NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which is a challenge designed for participants to write a specific amount of word in one month (July). Your account allows you to create a project, tracks your progress and join camps/groups for support if you like.  My goal is 30,000 words which should bring me to about half of book two.

I am using these beautiful chests that Moruga RC Primary School gave me to organize my desk. For me, order is paramount for productivity.

I tried the November challenge before and got nowhere. This time I am more determined to challenge myself. For the past few months, I have been fortunate to visit many schools and get feedback from several persons who have read Selima and the Merfolk. Everyone asks if I’ve started writing the sequel. Since I have a little experience under my belt I hope to get this book published faster than the last. However, I will not rush because at end of the day my primary goals are to write a quality book that I would enjoy and remember forever, even if I was not the writer.

Wish me luck!

School Visit – Belmont Boys’ RC Primary School

20150629_113511[1]I feel so lucky, every time I visit a school I have such a great time. In that hour, it’s like I’m awake in a dream that I orchestrated because everything I want to happen happens.

The standard four boys of Belmont Boys’ RC Primary School were as entertaining as I expected them to be. They were familiar with Selima and the Merfolk because a few of them won books at my book launch and their teacher, Mr. Monsegue recently started reading it with the class. The boys were very enthusiastic,  they asked me questions that I have never been asked before, like:

“Miss are you a mermaid?”
“Where is your tail?”
“Can we wet your legs?”
“What would you do if you saw other mermaids?”
“Can we come see you in the river?”

Some of the boys seemed genuinely serious and wanted a straight answer while others appeared to be playful and in their glee to be free to explore their imagination without judgment. I of course, love to talk about mermaids and other folklore characters, so I was all to happy to indulge them.

I did my usual reading and though they took a while to settle down, they were as quiet as can be while I read. Honestly, I didn’t mind the initial over-zealousness of the class; they were excited and there isn’t anything wrong with that.

Five boys won Mario’s pizza vouchers and one boy won a Selima and the Merfolk T-shirt. Something tells me those vouchers will be redeemed very soon.

These boys were great. I had a wonderful visit. I can’t wait to read their messages and reviews on my blog and their short stories for the competition in September/October.

Thank you standard four boys of Belmont Boys’ RC School, you made my week!

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Melville Memorial Girls’ Anglican School Graduation

Congratulations to another successful graduating class from Melville Memorial Girls’ Anglican School.

I had the great pleasure of attending their graduation last Tuesday. It was so refreshing to witness that Melville still produces talented, intelligent young LADIES. I also had the pleasure of spending time with several of my past teachers.

Keep it up Melville princesses and thanks for inviting me !!!!!

Ms. Gardener, a first class teacher who taught my sister and two cousins.
Ms. Xavie Millette was a big winner at the graduation. She also told me that she loved my book 🙂

 

 

Moruga Mania Part III – Moruga AC Primary School

 

Moruga AC 3Visiting Moruga AC Primary School was the finale to a perfect day. Principal Floyd and I were acquainted; he attended my book launch last month and he was a distinguished guest at Moruga RC Primary School graduation.

Moruga AC Primary School also received donations of books and pizza vouchers from Mario’s Pizzeria. The children were as fascinated and familiar with folklore as students from previous schools I visited.

Our intention is to include all the schools we visit in a competition Mario’s and I will jointly host in September/October. Moruga AC is one of the schools that we expect active participation.

I have an affinity for respectful and well-behaved children and I most certainly met some at this and the other Moruga schools; even the infants who I expected to be more rambunctious.

By nature I am a shy person, so interacting with pleasant, open and welcoming people is a great comfort to me. I hope I left them with the same warmth because I enjoyed my time with them immensely.

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Moruga Mania Part II- Moruga RC Primary School

Moruga RC 9I was invited to be the guest speaker at Moruga RC Primary School graduation. This is the first time I have had such an opportunity, and though I appreciate that it was a special day for the graduates, it was also a day that I would never forget.

The Principal, Mrs. Sharon Palloo and I have been communicating since I introduced her to Selima and the Merfolk. She loved the book, hence her invitation. To flatter me further she themed the graduation about the book (‘Dream higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean’).

Brand Manager of Mario’s Pizzeria Limited, Ms. Bajnath accompanied me to the graduation. Mario’s donated copies of Selima and the Merfolk to the school library and gave all the graduates pizza vouchers.

I was very nervous to read my speech, but I kept with my process that is writing honestly and from the heart. After the graduation, several distinguished guests and parents congratulated me so I guess I did a good job. I expected a much smaller crowd, not that it would have made a difference to my nerves. It was pleasing to witness that the school is supported by neighbouring and out of district principals and several heads of affiliated educational bodies (i.e. TTUTA, Catholic Educational Board of Management and Ministry of Education).

Ms. Jayriel Charles, Current Female Primary Schools Cricketers of the Year.

Ms. Jayriel Charles, Current Female Primary Schools Cricketers of the Year.

My greatest and most pleasant surprise was learning that Moruga RC is a very accomplished school. Most schools have trophies but not every school can call themselves the current national champions in both cricket and football and have the female recipient of the Primary School Cricketer of the Year, Ms. Jayriel Charles.

The following is a list of their many accomplishments from the year ending 2013 to the most current.

MORUGA RC PRIMARY SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDING 2013/2014
·         National Primary School Football League 2013 Under 11 Boys MVP
·         National Primary School Football League 2013 Under 11 Boys -SEED Champs
·         National Primary School Football League 2013 Under 15 Girls  MVP
·         National Primary School Football League 2013 Under 15 Girls  SEED Champs
·         Moruga Primary Schools Athletic Annual Marathon – Overall Winner Female
·         Atlantic National Primary School League Final Man of the Match Girls (Cricket)
·         Atlantic National Primary School League Inter-district Girls Champion 2014 (Cricket)
·         Moruga Zonal Sports 2013 Under 11 Victor Ludorum
·         National Cricket Girls- 3rd Place
·         Favorite Spelling Bee- 3rd Place (South Eastern) 2013
·         Moruga Parade of the Bands 2014  Pretty Mas Queen
·         Moruga Parade of the Bands 2014  Pretty Mas  1st Place
·         Moruga Parade of the Bands 2014  Ole Mas 3rd Place
·         Moruga Parade of the Bands 2014  Traditional Mas 3rd Place
·         Creator of Moruga’s Annual Easter Bonnet Parade
·         East Indian Arrival Display in collaboration with the Moruga Museum
·         Parenting Workshop in collaboration with UNESCO
·         NALIS & The National Commission for UNESCO –  “Our children Read to their communities” 1st Place & 2nd Place
·         Annale Pierre representing  T’dad at the C.U.T. 2014 games – Gold Medal Cricket Ball
·         Participation in 2014 Voluntary Beach Clean Up with MP for the area Hon. C DeCouteau
·         National Primary School Female Cricketer of the year 2014 – Jayriel Charles
·         National Primary School Girls Cricket Under 15 Semi Finalist
 

 MORUGA RC PRIMARY SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS FOR YEAR ENDING 2014/2015
·         2014 – National Primary School Girls Under 15 Football Champions
·         National Primary School Games Gold Medalist
·         2014 – Cricket Ball Girls Under 9
·         Runners Up In The Moruga Zonal Athletes Competition
·         Traditional Mas – Moko Jumbie Sailor
·         Pretty Mas Female –“Goddess Of The Sea”
·         2nd Place Junior Traditional Mas Band Of The Year
·         1st Place Junior Pretty Band Mas Of The Year
·         2nd Place Junior Calypso –“Do Something”

Colour Me Impressed. Excellent!!!!!

Being a part of this school’s graduation was an honour I am not sure I deserve. It was my absolute pleasure to be a part of such an important occasion and I hope to continue my relationship with the school.

 

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Moruga Mania Part I – Santa Maria RC Primary School

Santa Maria 3It is a privilege to have an opportunity to do what you love, but it is a blessing to enjoy and share it with others, especially children. Last Thursday my sponsor, Mario’s Pizzeria Limited and I visited three schools in the Moruga district. Our first appointment was at Santa Maria RC Primary School.

Santa Maria is a very small and modest school. It reminded me of my first primary school, Las Cuevas Government. The Principal, Mrs. Gopaul – Francis contacted Mario’s to commend them on their current initiative, and she invited us to introduce her students to my books, Selima and the Merfolk. Presently, Santa Maria is on a literacy drive in their community. Mario’s and I were happy to help as we appreciate that the community is crucial to nurturing our children.

My session at this school was delightful. The children were exceptionally well-behaved and respectful. These mannerisms were prominent at all three Moruga schools, so I must congratulate the principals and teachers who I have noticed are a close-knit group.

The children were a pleasure to read to and we had a lot of fun in the question and answer segment. Mario’s Brand Manager, Ms. Bajnath was on hand with pizza vouchers for the winners and crowns for everyone. Mario’s also donated copies of Selima and the Merfolk to the school library. This collaboration was another successful venture. I hope to have an opportunity to visit this school again. Meeting wonderful children always makes me hopeful of the future.

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OMG Magazine Feature

OMG Magazine FeatureI am featured in this weeks OMG Magazine on pages 20-23. OMG is a local digital magazine with a very large following. They feature many different local artists and personalities.

OMG was my first formal interview and photo shoot. I was a lot more nervous for the shoot than the interview because posing makes me incredibly self-conscious, and I was fighting the worse cold I ever had. Ever since I can remember I was always the girl who would rather take the picture than be in it.

Two Fridays ago, my book launch was covered by a local newspaper. Although I was ecstatic to be in the paper (my first time), the photo was very unflattering. I didn’t dwell on it too much because it was a good article – Newsday Article. I crossed my fingers and toes that I would like OMG’s pictures and promised myself to practice not closing my eyes when the flash goes off.

My photographer was Mr. Stephen Doobal. Mr. Doobal was very professional, and he made me feel comfortable. I explained to him that I was a writer and not a model, so please have patience with me, and he did. Being self-conscious is to my detriment now. I am not Naomi Campbell and will never be. However, I am pleased with the entire article and hope to work with OMG again soon.

Thank you Mr. Stephen Doobal and Ms. Amelia Ramjarrie.

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