The month of Love

I got this quote from my friend. I think it genius.
Absolutely perfect for the month of Love as most of us like to refer to February.
Have a great day

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!

9 Things Every Couple Must do!

I stumbled onto the Bucket List Journey by Annette Renee White recently! 
'Cause that is what I do I blog walk, stroll and at times stumble. 
Stumble meaning that I basically clicked on a link which led me to another link and then bam I am on a cool site... I am somewhat addicted :) 
Oh I digress...
I stumbled onto her blog and fell in love with her concept because I as you know recently put together my own bucket list of sorts. See here!
Imagine an entire space dedicated to carrying out your bucket list so cool!
 And she wrote this and of course I had to share it with you so with out further ado I reblog :

Bucket List for Couples {9 Things Every Couple Must Do}

A couples relationship should be filled with experiences that create wonderful memories, bring them closer together and non-verbally say "I love you". Here are nine ways to start designing your life together.
1. Couples Massage
A couples massage is one of the hottest treatments at luxury spas all over the world. What could be more romantic than lying side-by-side with your significant other in the most relaxing environment?
2. Write a Love Letter
Let's bring it back to old school; the days where letters were handwritten, sealed with a kiss and mailed at the post office. Love letters are a physical memory that will last a lifetime.
3.Cook Dinner Together
Food and romance have be linked throughout history, mix in some intriguing conversation and you have the best date night ever. The dishes that you create on this night will become a significant part of celebrating other events in your lifetime.
3. Have a Picnic
Break out the old picnic basket, pack your favorite bottle of wine, pick a secluded outdoor getaway and create a memory.
4. Stay up all Night, Laughing
There are many reasons that we stay up all night, how many of them include just laughing?
5. Sing a Karaoke Duet
12 years ago, my husband and I sang "Summer Nights" from Grease at a local Karaoke club. Though the musicality left much to be desired and they actually turned the volume down on my microphone, it is an experience that we still talk about.
6. Carve your Names into a Tree
I typically would not recommend defacing a living object, but in the name of Bucket Lists I will have to break this rule.
7. Dress up for Halloween
Fairy tales can come true, at least on Halloween. What could bring a couple closer together than looking completely ridiculous as a team?
8. Kiss on Top of the Ferris Wheel
Some of the most romantic movies feature a smooch on the tippy-top of the Ferris Wheel.
9. Watch the sunset & rise in one day
You might be able to complete this one as well as, #3 {Have a Picnic} & #4 {Stay Up All Night, Laughing} all in one day! Now that's the ultimate in multi-tasking.

Annette with her honey

Hope it inspired you as it did me.
I love #4 have to try it