be careful what you ask for

I remember at my previous "job" at what I achingly called "the schoolyard", I used to wish to be challenged. Articulating (loudly) that I'd like to get a job that would stretch my capacity for growth, have me crying myself to sleep with all the new challenges abound and one that would keep me busy.

Well...here I am now.

And I am thanking the Lord through it all.

There have been no tears (yet) or the frantic activity that comes with overwhelming busyness (yet), but I see it clearly on the horizon.

The mission period of "consultation" has started and we've touched down in Aruba. Long days (9-5 non-stop - yes this is long for me lol) and even longer evenings of consolidation of the day's work, catching up on emails, still trying to take on more work (Lord father) and yet still trying to ne a sociable mid-30 year old feels like being on the hampster wheel.

Hell..I'm on a beach resort. Got to lay down for on a beach chair for 20 minutes for the first time yesterday to watch the sun set - despite being here for almost a week already! 

Or the fact that I woke up at 4am to respond to whatsapps, personal emails and to write this.

Oi Vey. But I asked for it..so I'll absorb all of it :)

If you looking for me

If you looking for me you will find me in Trinidad!!

Carifesta 14!! Oh what a SHOW! Thank God for the band Kasaav!

DAT was a show! Trini artistes need to learn from them 1 million times over.

Besides CARIFESTA, and finally getting to wine in somebody fete, I'm also.home because of the dreaded immigration requirements of St Maarten and the fact that the host country has not done much hosting..AT ALL.

So of course all those staff members of caribbean heritage are basically stuck outside of the island whilst the officials in sxm figure out which way is up.

Alas its a trip home, but my word..the DISRUPTION!!!
Now I have two homes, one car (in sxm)..so.it's like living a double life! What a limbo!!

Anyways..it could be worse..and one has to adapt!

Barbados has arrived!!

Jamila is here!! My friend from Barbados has arrived for the next 5 days...so I have a visitor!

Thus far we've gotten in some shopping where we bought some shoes, some $12 earrings (me) and some thousand dollar rings (her) lol. Saw an ALMOST fight at fatboy's bbq over chicken, and have been totally done in by this off and on rain!! It cools the place down splendidly but woooo the thrall of sleep!!

This afternoon I have a workshop/networking "do" to attend, while I unleash J on the shops of PBurg..hopefully she doesn't demolish it in 3hours!

I'm here

I cannot believe that I am making great lifestyle adjustments ...

To suit the size of my car

Mini Coppers are single people cars..where you buy two bags of groceries and eat an apple for brekkie

SXM crazy people

Why do I attract all the crazy people?
Why Lord?

Is this what people call "paying dues"?

Is it that my dues are to have a drama filled life? Lol

So July 1st, I finally left my small, ramshackle, stinky and hot AirBnB to move into my permanent (for now) lodgings. On June 29th the host had the audacity to send me a message along these lines " I prefer that you leave a good review or none at all"...whatthefackityfack?

Who do you think you are?

I did not respond to the host's message.

D-Day. I move out. Im now 80% comfortable. I have a washer, a working roof, warm water and cutlery (the things we take for granted) and doing my due diligence, I leave a luke warm review as AirBnB relies on reviews...not skewed panderings. Honeslty my review could've been much worse, especially since the appearance of the mouse in my room last week.

Yes..a mouse.

So after leaks, sewerage smells, and a whole host of other issues, now entering from stage right...a mouse.

So I put my diplomatic hat on and I gloss over all the issues to basically state - if you're on a budget and want to explore the area for a couple days or have a short layover - this is your best bet. If you don't fit this profile, the value for money just isnt there. I also gave a brief description of the space because I was sure as hell surprised when I finally arrived to the "lodgings".

Well yes!! Why did this host see it fit to send me a long harassing email including fun tidbits that he's been incarcerated for 6 years, I better watch my back, and Im not hot (really? To you? A jailbirdy? Oh my..heart is broken..cant you see it?).

Soo I then come to realise, not only is this host boldface he is also damn mad..and he played mad for the wrong damn person. My review probably stemmed the number of bookings  he would've got. However, stepping out like that? I am now reporting his ass to Airbnb - as far as I'm concerned he's a scam artist...so..reported and case has been opened.

Second madman.

I - because I was desperate - took my beloved mini to a backyard mechanic just to change the front brakes..that's it..simple front brakes.
Not only does the guy have me wait for 45 minutes for him to appear, he appears without tools AND A JACK and vex with me that I dont have any in my car, but then he lost a part of my front sensor and was ORDERING me to go get crazy glue to glue the sensor back on to the brake setup..

Eh? Crazy glue you say? Man come out my damn car so I can go my way please!

Perhaps it is men of a certain ilk, class in SXM that have this antagonistic/old school relationship with females...I find it highly disconcerting...however I dont have to deal with it

So all in all...the men here damn mad

But!! My car is registered!! I legal (at least to drive on the road)

Fresh queen of Belair

I've moved in!!

After a month of living out of a bag and not too particularly comfortable either, I've Finally moved in.

After the event last night, I went to get the car sorted.
9'20am to 2'20pm the guy worked. Consistent work for 5hrs. If he took a 10 minute break throughout that time, that's a lot.
I kid you not.

The car was in a mess. Parts of it still are. But the beauty of the machine is now apparent.

Cut to hurrying over to the airbnb, grabbing my bags and shooting to cost u less to get some vitals (as well as frozen food while I wait on my pots).
Get over to the house, unpack the whole car and I start to wipe down items, and then mop aaanndd wipe more again..

It is now 8.16pm. I am showered, exhausted and in bed. My feet ache, my back hurts,my sheets are too small but I'm finally here!!

Belair!

Where dreams come true

I've finally done it!!

Since 2014, I've been pining for it.
Wanting it

But I was always waaay too poor for it

But I'm not now! Because they are CHEAP AS HELL in St Maarten...well to be precise...St Barthélemy.

I got my Mini Cooper convertible!!!

A 2013 car, easily sells for 18,000-20,000US in Trinidad.
But in so barth? No no nooooo
A quick €8600 ($9600) + €163 ferry ride over and your dreams too can come true!! Mini Cooper taste with Nissan Note pocket!!

Not being new to the buying used car business (I buy all my cars used...to varying degrees), Ive embarked on my usual pattern.

Change oil, oil filter, air filter, get it cleaned, get it detailed...make it mine.

I seemed to have forgotten than SXM has no "bamboo". So whilst I got the oil and oil filter faaairlly easily, the brake pads ( according to the Controle Technique of the car) which needs replacing is but a dream in SXM. So all.in all.I need to order brake pads, air filters, cabin filters..the whole lot. I also want to bring in new emblems for the front of the car as the old one is super faded (is it worth the $40 you tell me).

So this weekend is FULLY of activity.
Got the car from over on.french side yesterday, spent all morning this morning taking out the filthy never been changed oil to my castrol 5W30...so I'm sure this car feels as if she's entered a spa.
Im starting to move in my stuff to the house tomorrow!!! (I move in monday) (Sayanara crappy room in a great location!!)

Tomorrow night is my first soca fete on the island...annnd Im also going to hit up a garage sale (old habits die hard) as I need a patio set aaaaand some decor.

As you see there's a common thread here...$$
From the car, mechanic, fete and to moving in...
But I have this total feeling of excitement..perhaps its the freedom that having a car (finally) affords

Yay!

Sunday Funday!

Well I am definitely getting into the swing of things here in SXM. I've found a volleyball team (so now I can loose these pesky pounds) I've found my favorite eating place in the Simpson Bay area - a ridiculous health food store called Top Carrot I've finally gotten to see my new digs in Belair (more on that later) I had to blaze a 'vagrant' or two along the Boardwalk in Philipsburg - unlike the locals who just scurry away. So! This weekend was really doing all things local. Friday, I braved the streets and went to check out the local KFC. Word of advice..dont do it. The original is just oil on bones and the spicy is overcooked to the point that it's tough. Even the biscuit was disappointing *womp womp* Saturday, I went to volleyball training session for 2 hours!!!!! Before I could take a snooze I ended up bumming a ride to Kooymans - as I'll be moving into my new digs at the end of this month to get my cleaning game on and get some essentials...lawd this place expensive. Then on Saturday night *whew* I had a busy day, I went to a volleyball championship playoff that ended at 1am!!! I really do not know how or why these people schedule games for dead of night but..it's the ppl place. As usual it was full of excitement and ole talk which was great and made me really feel 'at home'. Sunday...oh Sunday... After arriving home at 1.05am after the games, I had to get up at 4.30am to go to a walk-a-thon..yes...4.30am. So they schedule vball matches at the dead of night, and walk-a-thons at the Zombie hour. lol. However, when they finally got started, the route took me through a short cut to the house in Belair..so that was pleasant. otherwise I did a 3km walk and run..and I'm glad I did - anything longer (which was the 10km) would have been certain death for me...However, I am interested in training enoguh to be able to run an entire 3km. I prob ran/jogged/slow crawled 1/3 of the course..sooo not too bad. Did the whole thing in 29 minutes while sightseeing and admiring the mountains! lol Then! Before I could fall asleep properly (I do confess to taking a nap in the Guardian offices after the walk a thon), my hostess took me to the house so I could see it as the old tenants were moving out... OMG...some expats have NO shame..the wear and tear of this home after these people occupied the place for 1 years is ABYSMAL. They didnt even want to clean the damn place and was nickle and diming my host about what they left behind could contribute to the cleaning bill..MY WORD! AND JUST TALK ABOUT NASTY!!! I honestly think 1 week is NOT enough for them to do everything..however, the purpose was served where we knew what was missing, what needed EXTENSIVE cleaning and what furniture I'd need to get short to long terms...but these people...nasty!!! ugh..I almost don't want to take up occupancy after them. I also feel sorry for the owner as I'm sure she'll prob have to spend the equivalent of a month's rent in getting the property back on its feet. So that was the first con..but rectifiable After thaaaaat! I went to the beach (as I can see the beach from my temp accommodation, can walk to it in less than 20 seconds, but havent stepped foot in the water in near 2 damned weeks!). So got there, took a chair and paddled in the water for about 20 minutes. Checked out the ilovesxm bar which has a trini playing DJ on sundays and apparently there's another trini playing pan in the bar next door as well on a sunday!!! wooohoo! pros all around! buut of course there are some cons. Second con about SXM I've realised is that the men here are particularly...parched..thirsty..randy..horny..Dont know if its because I am considered 'fresh meat'..but damn they are forward with their interrogations and WASTE NO TIME in asking you out. ugh. Give me breathing space..please. I enjoy my pace of life right now. THey need to go get a drink of water...and not nikki water. lol But back to the good...my car SHOULD arrive this week! yay!! I SHOULD get paid this week DOUBLE YAY!!! LOL

Where iguanas fear no man

Ooh Sint Maarten

Small, picturesque, friendly.

I'm starting my 3rd week on the island, and I can see why people love it here.

But for me, it's not home.
Striking elements are
1. The lack of public holidays (only trinis will understand)
2. No/limited public transport
3. Cheap cars
4. The immigrant from Arima makes awful tasteless roti (I dont think I'll ever get over it)
5. IGUANAS ARE LIKE THE STRAY CHICKENS OF TOBAGO HERE!!!

The latter realisation is so.disconcerting as Iguana, in trinidad, is seen as a delicacy! But in SXM, they couldnt be bothered.

Week 1

Well..its a little past hump week, and I can most certainly say that, although no actual work has started, I am learning things..adult things

Things like why landlords put clauses in their leases that access to the commercial building is limited to 10pm

Until you find out that the previous tenant sought to diversify their income stream by introducing a *cough cough* massage parlour.

I kid you not

I cackled.

Anywhoser, after checking out the offices to which we'll be relocating with my new boss, I've been put in charge of arranging the architects and getting insurance quotations. The latter, yeah..small thing. The former? Huh!?

So.basically I have now entered the world of...procurement.

Save me.

#sxmstrong

Touch down - SXM

I really need to get back into the groove of blogging.

Today was Day 1 (June 3) of what I expected to be buckling down and getting to work.

Jokes.

As per usual in the Caribbean, room not ready, no computers, no phone for another *gasp* two weeks.

Cue the two hour lunch break for my boss and I at a lovely sea side restaurant near to the cruise ship complex.

I'm back at my very "rustic" airbnb and.tonight im going to attempt to take a sweat..I.e.my long lost love...vball.

Cut to two days ago, we arrive in Sint Maarten after an early start after a greuling 5 day conference in Barbados. After more than 3 hours on a plane where CAL only dispenses ONE cup of juice (shame on you CAL), we arrive to the unfriendly face of immigration and customs...

That hurdle crossed, SXM small. If it wasnt so hilly and I wasnt such a big chicken and a baby, I'd have bought a bicycle. Locals keep reciting the same rhyme. 37km2 and 45000 ppl.

Thats half the size of tobago and 1/3 of the population.

Yeah..it chinksy. But for the moment, I'm staying a stone's throw away from the beach in my "rustic accommodation"...and the only commitment that I've made thus far is to take a sea bath once per week (not into the washing hair business).

Well..till next time! 

Day before launch

So! I am here - little England. BARBADOS!

My first 7 days on the job involved me.attending a conference hosted by one of those big development banks.

Sigh.

What a show. Millions spent to pat themselves on the back.
Excessively loooong hours in conference sessions which are not particularly good, and they leave little time for questions and answers.

Today the team and I have had enough and we skipped out on today's proceedings to attend some external meetings. Thank God. At least I get to look at the lovely view from.my room (425)

Tomorrow 6am is launch day and everyone is warning me.

Sint Maarten small eh! Lol

It's been a while!!

Whew!! Well it's been a while!

So many changes so fast!

Beau and I of 10 years,  are now ex-Beau and I. Miscommunication, resentment, too much love and that feeling of a lack of support were the usual culprits of our demise. Tantamount for me is support and someone that's dependable. That's my deal breaker, otherwise it feels like sabotage in some ways :(. After 10 years, the deal broke :( . However, amidst all the bruhahaah, I know that I'll always consider him my best friend

I bought and renovated a home on my own which was one of the most stressful, gut wrenching and risky things I ever encountered, and

I left my job!!

Oh you do not know the satisfaction that I get every time I get to utter those words. From April 24, 2019 till now it has been pure bliss. I have been uninspired and unchallenged professionally for quite some time. Throw in a poisonous office environment, and you have the perfect conditions for a sweet sweet Exodus.

On May 26 I start my new job, and although not excited, I recognize that I'll be punching above my weight. So it's time to sink or swim and gather that true grit that I have - I asked for a challenge and I'm sure going to get one

So after 4 years in Trinidad, I'm heading back out again.. boy..am I busy. This time I'll be heading to St Maarten. A small island in the Caribbean, which is basically separated and governed by two different countries. There's Sint Maarten, thé Dutch side and St Martin, the French side.

And for anywhere between 1 and 4 years I'll be residing on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten as an expat. I'm not scared, nor excited...let's just see what this life has in store for me!

Allons-y!