That Aha Moment- Meet Nicole!

In honour of Valentines Love season and with the help of some of my blogger friends I introduce the first in a  short series -

 The question I am asking is and they happily agree to answer:

Do you remember that AHA moment when you KNEW he was the one, that this was it. This was the man you were going to marry!

I am so happy to have my friend Nicole of  "When Did I become my Mom!" answer this question:
A little intro -Nicole like me is from the sunny twin isle of Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad is currently in the Carnival season. Carnival is the greatest most beautiful show/street party in the world... hey I may be biased but that is okay I am a Trini LOL.




Carnival fever is here! The beat of life changes - there's an energy of joyful, suspenseful anticipation in the air.
For us Trinis, Carnival Monday and Tuesday are like the ultimate stress release valve.
We forget our cares and worries, and enjoy being people - in tune with the music and vibrance and friendship that's wrapped up in the ultimate street party!

For me, that stress release valve starts opening for real at Panorama - where steelbands battle it out for the crown of Pan Champions.
As one friend describes it - it's the embodiment of the audacity of hope of my people.
The steelpan is only musical instrument invented in the 20th century and each pan begins as an abandoned oil drum.
Tuned and beaten over fire, it is destined to be transformed into tenor, guitar, cello, bass, and join together in a symphony of steel, melodies of a people coaxed with rubber-tipped sticks.

THAT is Panorama!

A celebration of wonder and possibility of daring to believe!

I never miss it.

For more reasons than one.


You see, if it wasn't for Panorama, I'd never have met my husband.

The son of a pan-man, he never misses Panorama either. He has a love for the steel - I have a love for what it represents.
Every year, I would see him. Every year we'd strike up conversation.
We didn't have friends in common, but such is the "all of we is one" of Carnival.
He was funny and reckless, but we'd never see each other again for the rest of the year - our social circles being totally out of sync.

But every year I would wonder....



In 2000 I returned to Panorama after a 4 year absence, having been abroad pursuing my Bachelor's degree.
I was back for good, and this was my first Carnival in 4 years - I was intent on enjoying every moment of it!
Returning to Panorama again... I wondered... would I see him.

I did.

We had a great time. And we drew stares of surprise -from his friends and mine. :-)

We made arrangements to meet at the next fete. And the next, and the next.

And I knew.

I think I always knew.

This year marks our 10th wedding anniversary. It's not til June, but we'll be celebrating early.

After all... this weekend is Panorama!

If you would like to join in please send me an email at gaylenjcdotgmaildotcom I would be happy to post it!

That A-Ha your it moment...

The first time I ever laid eyes on the guy that would be my husband
was say the second month of my college life.
I was sitting in 'the pit' soaking in the college vibe
and then this guy caught my eye.
What a surreal movie moment
It was as if light was surrounding him
a spot light shining down from the heaven
There he walked dressed in suit and tie swinging a briefcase
( yes I did say we were in college but he is preppy like that... picture a black Micheal J. Fox)
and I thought wow now that is a good looking fella
That is the guy I am going to marry!
Screech!!!!!!!!!! What was that... where did that come from!
I instantly panicked because it was the strangest sensation I just knew that it was true even though we had not even met. It didn't help that I didn't plan to get married ever and also I was in a long-distance relationship already to confuse the brain.
So I quickly chastised my self and let it slip out of my mind.
But as faith would have it
The guy introduced himself a month later, we did the friend thing for a bit and
when we were both single
we gave it a try
and
as I predicted
it felt right
we felt right
and I did want to marry him in the end!

Today marks 12years that we have been married actually
fun times... we have had our high notes and we have had some pretty tough low notes
but looking forward to many more happy high notes!
Happy Anniversary to me... to us :D


In honour of Valentines Day and with the help of some of my blogger friends today I kick off a short series -

The question I am asking is and they happily agree to answer:

Do you remember that AHA moment when you KNEW he was the one, that this was it. This was the man you were going to marry!

Oh and if you would like to join in please send me an email at gaylenjcdotgmaildotcom I would be happy to post it!

Happy Happy Valentines to you!

I'm in the mood for love...

simply because you are near me. lalalalalala

I have been humming that tune all day.
Pretty normal for this time of year

I love Valentines
I think it is the hearts

I love hearts
Maybe something to do with my first ever crush and his name being Hart.

Yeah probably that
maybe not

however Valentines gives me the excuse to wear hearts
wear red and pink if I choose
and to fling red heart confetti around
woohoo.

That being said I really don't have any expectations when it comes to Valentine's Day
I don't get into the whole chocolate and flowers thing
though I do love a beautiful bouquet.
hmmm and a stuffed animal

Before I got married it could come and go and it wouldn't matter.
But it is a little more special to me now
seeing that it is also my anniversary
So now I expect to at least go to lunch
and oh yes a gushy card LOL
sprouting words of love :D

What about you what are your expectations for this season of LOVE?
Dinner and a movie?
Fancy sit down dinner with wine?
Or cuddle time at home with some popcorn on the couch?
Gifts of sweet candy and long stemmed roses? Love those too :)


You know I am curious!

Excuse while I sprinkle you with heart confetti.
Have a heart-filled weekend.

45 lessons on life

I very rarely get an email that I think is appropriate to share on Great Expectations but I am really enjoying this one and think you would too.
Tell me what you think!

This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! 

Make sure you read to the end!!!!!!
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the
Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio :
To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. 

It is the most requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here
is the column once more:
 

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
 

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.

  Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
 

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
 

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea 

    what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. 

    But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. 

    But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't 

    take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. 

    Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 

    'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of 

    anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw 

    everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
 

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

                               
I really like #25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

What about you!

Have a great week all