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!