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7 for Seven

Exams are over. I already know I have one re-sit in June next year and that’s okay. I know now where the gaps are and I know what to do to fix them.

Quick update on the challenges I am taking part in this month:
On Instagram I’m doing #DecemberReflections and that’s been fun thus far. And I am also taking part in this month’s NaBloPoMo: Joy. Now that exams are over…I can focus on writing to wind down 2014.

…every Monday, we post seven positives from the previous seven days of the week as a reminder of what we have so that the week starts out on an upswing. There is much truth in the belief that happy people attract good things, so it is important to start the week out right. Sometimes it’s the more grand, but other times, it’s the simple things.~ Key + Arrow

7 for Seven originated at Key + Arrow and now let’s get into my 7 for this week:

Picking myself up and moving on. My first exam, first thing Monday morning was bad. Really, really bad. I left the room pretty down. And I knew that I still had two left and I needed to get my head together to ensure that I only had one re-sit and not three. So I did what needed to be done…I left everything in that exam in the room and focused only on the ones left. I’m kinda proud of my ability to do that. Really proud.

Knowing what I need to “pick myself up.” After that horrible first exam I needed a “pick-me-up”. I found this little dessert place that totally did the trick.

…and on that note Salmon burgers.

Brunch with my blogging friends. There is a ritual developing with these two totally awesome blogger chicks I know. It involves hippie market runs, brunch and really good conversations.

Team spirit Trinidad & Tobago’s national women’s football (soccer for some of you) team narrowly missed qualifying for the World Cup last Tuesday. Though we lost 1-0 to Ecuador, our girls fought hard and out-played their opponents. However, goals win matches and such is life. But they still have my 100% support going forward.

Local art. I love art. I love creating art. I especially love and have mad respect for people who find the thing that moves them creatively and do it with passion. This last week I was fortunate to attend two events which showcased local artists. Art harder people! The world needs you.

My brother. Because he listens.

And there you have it. My hope is that by turning my focus to all that I have to be grateful for at the start of my work week, by sowing my own seeds of faith and gratitude, I can carry with me and reap the rewards of “positivity + balance + bliss” throughout the days ahead.

If you’re reading this, this is me blowing some glitter and confetti on you because you’re super blessed to have received the gift of another 86,400 seconds today, to spend any way you desire. What made you happy today? What are you grateful for? I would love to hear from you.

The Best Books I Read This Year

I read a whole lot. A fact you wouldn’t know because the number of reviews published on this blog is not a true reflection of the number of books I actually read…another case of my Drafts Folder working overtime.

Anyhoo, I was fortunate to read books this year that moved me in a very real way, so much that they left a lasting impression on me and my life. And then of course there were the duds but thankfully not very many.

The most influential book I read this year was I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi. Getting my finances in order was a major priority over the last 12 months and this book provided much-needed guidance on doing just that.

The Darkest ChildMy OH-EM-GEE-I-LOOOOVE-THIS book for 2014 is The Darkest Child by Delores Phillips. This book was a page-turner I devoured in eight hours…I shit you not! It was that good.

Unfortunately, I learned that the author, Delores died earlier this year. So there is no chance of a follow-up story or even reaching out to her for answers. I have so many questions. But such is life. SO now I have to be content with recommending it to everybody and hoping to start a conversation about it.

This writing business is soul work sometimes and it takes a whole lot out of you most times. The book that helped me hone my writing craft is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. It just may be my absolute favourite book on writing.

One of the gifts of being a writer is that it gives you an excuse to do things, to go places and explore. Another is that writing motivates you to look closely at life, at life as it lurches by and tramps around. – Anne Lamott

The book I reread this year and totally recommend is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. It’s the kind of book you want to reread every year…if only as a reminder that life is short. Get busy living NOW.

Honorable mention goes to Wishing for Wings by Debbie Jacob because it changed my perspective on a forgotten bunch of young men in Trinidad & Tobago.

Debbie is a local author who taught English to young men imprisoned for crimes that included murder and robbery. I had the awesome pleasure of meeting the author and being able to get some of my questions answered. This book was truly an eye-opener and I will write a review on soon. It is a definite must read.

The book I started at the beginning of the year, and is still reading…because ironically I find it absolutely boring is The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. It’s long and kinda meh. I hope to finish it before the end of the year…not holding my breath though.

Already on my reading list for 2015:

And now it’s your turn.

Tell me, what books have you read this year, that you recommend I put on my reading list for 2015?

Weekly Photo Challenge: Gone But Not Forgotten

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The best coffee I had this week! Gone but still memorable!

Love Note: Tablespoon Coffee & Dessert House

Exams hit me hard this week. The first one on Monday morning was kinda bad. Not kinda…it was very bad. I will have to take it again in June next year. Fortunately for me, on my way to the exam center I noticed a sign that said, “Tablespoon Coffee & Dessert House” and after that horrendous exam…I needed a pick me up. Plus I was I saw ‘dessert’ and was curious to find out if they had tiramisu. Becasuse, tiramisu! My ultimate pick-me-up!

While they didn’t have tiramisu (but they carry it sometimes…so I will be back if only to try it) they served up some extra special yumminess that totally made up for the lack of my absolute favourite dessert and the memory of my crap exam.

Tablespoon is located in Curepe, heading east, just before Massy Stores formerly HiLo Food Stores on the Eastern Main Road. It’s been around for a while but has been under new management for the last six months or so. What was amazing to me is that even though it is located right on the main road, traffic noise inside the coffee-house is non-existent. I sat facing the road, but had I turned my back on it, I would not have known that the traffic was right outside the door. The owners did a good job in creating the right ambiance.

The menu is simple and offers both hot and cold drinks, great coffee and tea, as well salads, sandwiches and some yummilicious desserts. I ordered the salmon burger and was informed that it was indeed a House menu favourite. After biting into mine…I knew why. It is simply delicious! Down to the caper sauce drizzled on my plate – which quite frankly tasted like Christmas in a sauce, was so good I broke off a piece of bread to sop it all up lest even a tiny bit go to waste. Happy tummy indeed.

Tablespoon Coffee & Dessert House: 221-8504, 79 Eastern Main Rd, Curepe.

Stand outs: My entire meal – The Salmon Burger and that caper sauce. My coffee was also really good. It was the House brew, which was a decadent, whipped cream, cinnamon dusted bit of heaven. Life is way too short not to get the whipped cream…but if that’s not your thing, Tablespoon has a plethora of options for you to try.

I bought a triple chocolate buttercream cupcake to have at home and I’m glad I did…because it would have been embarrassing for anyone to witness the enjoyment a single cupcake can bring a person.

I will be back for: The Shinta, this is a House Special, which unfortunately I couldn’t try because the coffee machine was not working properly and while I was down for trying it anyway without the trappings, the lovely ladies behind the counter: Samantha and Christiane insisted that I would be short-changing myself and offered to make me something else. And of course the Tiramisu!

I would like to take a moment to mention Christiane here, she was friendly and attentive, in fact I was able to interact with three members of staff and the service is excellent at Tablespoon. Truly a rustic but cozy little Coffee House, certainly raising the bar for coffee houses in the East if not all of Trinidad.

Things to note: WiFi is free and they open on Sundays from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. So if you are in need of little coffee and dessert on a Sunday afternoon (which I am always down for) it’s worth the visit.

Tablespoon Coffee & Dessert House