About Me

In 2009, I became a citizen of the United States; I took an oath to bear arms if/when needed, to uphold the constitution, and to well, be a good citizen.  At the time, I knew that obtaining US citizenship was important but I hadn't realized how important until I applied for a job teaching overseas.  A job I couldn't qualify for without my U.S passport. With a U.S passport, I have access.  With it, I can travel to many countries I wouldn't otherwise be able to travel to.  With it, I can obtain a work visa to work abroad in any one of the seven continents.

I am an American and with it, I have the privilege.

As a proud Trinidadian, I have a great deal of affection for my home and native land.  I've come to appreciate my unique culture and heritage and even the long struggle for equality and freedom from our oppressors.  I gladly show my students the dot that is Trinidad is located eight miles east, off the coast of Venezuela…a dot on a global map; Trinidad and sister island, Tobago.

Born in poverty in the early 1980s, life was hard.  The details surrounding my upbringing were simply put, difficult.  And as I look back on those years, I realize that the poverty I see in third-world countries is one that I can identify with.  It's one that I can appreciate.  I can appreciate the idea that where one starts in life doesn't negate one's end.  And so, I travel.

I travel because it's an opportunity to experience the life and rhythm of people and cultures completely different from the ones I've known.  It's an opportunity to experience kindness and generosity (from perfect strangers) I never knew existed.  It's an opportunity to witness how some people reduce the effects of global warming in Tokyo, Japan and the organic foods grown every which way in Clara Valley, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the simplicity of catching a fish and cooking it within minutes over an open fire in Tobago.  It's an opportunity to climb the highest mountain in Jeju, Island South Korea, and view the second largest city in the world from Namsan Tower in Seoul, South Korea.

I travel because it's an opportunity many people won't have and so whether I'm traveling alone or in the company of friends or perfect strangers (who later become friends), I know that this heart of mine was made to see the world.

Ten Worst Things About Living in South Korea

Ask most foreigners living and/or teaching in South Korea about what their life is like there and chances are they will tell you it's a great experience.  I agree.  Though few, there are some down sides to living in South Korea.

Here are my ten worst things about living in South Korea.

1.  The drivers.  Perhaps your first experience in a taxi or on the bus will give a good idea of how uncoventional the driving is here.  I recall a story, I was on a city bus in Pohang heading from I-dong to the southern part of the city.  Up ahead was a red light and several cars waiting for the light to turn green.  Perhaps the driver was behind schedule or perhaps he was just impatient.  Whatever the case, the driver changed lanes, switching to the far left lane, a lane designated for turning left only and broke the red light.  While this wasn't at a major intersection and there were few cars on the road, I realized this might just be the norm for driving in Korea.  I wasn't wrong.

2.  The parking.  If you think the driving is horrible, then make room for the parking cause it's equally bad. With Korea being a heavily populated country, there are lots of cars on the road and not enigh places to park.  So, let's give some points for creativity maybe?

3.  High cost for foreign foods.  Finding Flaming Hot Cheetos on Jeju island was such a good score. However, paying close to 7,000 won for a medium sized bag, I quickly curbed my appetite for it as well as other foods foreign to Korea.  Add to the list, ranch dressing, cheese, canned beans, and exotic fruits.

4.  No trash cans.  Jeju island might be a bit different but in other cities, it's incredibly difficult to depose of trash without littering.  Most times, you may find yourself taking the wrapper of whatever treat you indulge in while out and about, with you.

5.  Cost of produce.  Foods grown locally are incredibly affordable, especially when they are in season.  However, produce grown out of season, like during g the winter, are a bit more costly.  Add to the list exotic fruits like cantelope, mangoes, avocado and sometimes apples.

6.  Racism.  Overt racism is something I haven't heard a lot about in Korea, but it's better to know it does exist in the hiring procedures and even on the social scene.  While I haven't experienced overt racism this firsthand, I have experienced some covert racial happenings.  It doesn't feel good.  Do better Korea.

7.  Co-teachers.  A source of many native english teachers woes, the dreaded co teacher.  It's a fight I fought and lost.  You won't win, you can't win.  Hope that they like you.  You play by their rules or your out.  Period.

8.  Desk-warming.  Pretty much just what it says.  Desk.  Warming.  Twice a year, students have a break from their public education.  Once in the summer and again in the winter.  While there won't be any teaching, native English teachers will likely have to show up to perhaps prepare for the upcoming semester or perhaps just be there to warm their desks.

9.  Air pollution.

10.  Over-crowding.  

2015 Ups, Downs and World Travel

I started 2015 in quiet reflection of the previous year.  There would be no drunken New Year's Eve celebration, no party hats or noise makers.  Just me being thankful for a cozy apartment, a few good friends, the finances and wherewithal to travel solo.

On the last day of 2015, I find myself in quiet reflection yet again, as I sit at my laptop in Miami, Fl.  I've been up since 5:58 am contemplating life, the drama of the Steve Wilkos Show drawing my attention away every now and again.  I remember the faraway places I experienced; the sunset at White Beach in Boracay, Philippines, packed like a sardine in the jitneys that make getting around Cebu affordable and being afraid to get in the water with whale sharks in Oslob, but managing to get in anyway.  

And though it's been bumpy at times, I'm reminded that I in fact live a pretty good life.

Here's a wrap up of the ups, downs and faraway places that made 2015 my most memorable year:

January:  A birthday in Thailand.  Birthday blue, I woke with a feeling of dread that almost always is present on my birthdays.  I thought of my grandmother and harsh words she spoke to me on my 5th birthday so many years ago.  I cried a little (a lot).  But after crying and journaling for a bit, I felt better and decided that I was okay.  I made my way to Chiangmai Zoo and took extra enjoyment in feeding the giraffes and observing the green sea turtle at the aquarium.  I took loads and loads of pictures and found myself content in Thailand traveling solo, meeting people as I go.

February:  Diamonds in the sky at White Beach Boracay.  Each time I look at a night sky, I recall the long walk westward on my first night in Boracay.  I stood there transfixed by the bigness of the world and the hugeness of Jehovah who created the earth for us to dwell in.  

March:  Being placed at Samyang Elementary School, I couldn't expect that a transition to teaching there would be so tumultuous.  It's the one placement where I learned the most from my co-teacher, and I understood fully that at times, office politics is in full play and it's best to be aware of how you're received.

April:  The Cherry Blossoms at Hallim Park, Jeju-do, South Korea.  I gush at the display of flowers that made for a nice walk through Hallim Park.  Truly, spring time in Korea is so very beautiful.  

May-July:  Studying the bible with new friends and understanding Jehovah that much more, my summer of 2015 proved to be a time for fellowship of the very best kind.

August:  Exploring Asia's World City --Hong Kong.  Taking in Victoria Peak and the skyline at Victoria Harbor, beats any skyline I've had the pleasure of capturing with my eyes and also with the lens of my camera.  It's pretty amazing!

A September to Remember:  I met my now love at a Starbucks in Kendall for the first time.  While he browsed the menu online as to avoid holding up the line, he in fact held up the line after recognizing that menu differed considerably.  Is that a coincidence or is it ironic?  Either way our coffee date turned into dinner and another dinner and Wednesday night ice-cream and well you know how the story goes :)

The Daily Struggles of Teaching at School that's Failing-- 4th Grade  I leave each day and it's troubles behind and start the next day fresh.  Teaching at an extended day school is one of the hardest jobs I've taken on.  I'm glad that I have a comfortable chair to sit in.

November, World Vegans Month and being thankful

Kissing under the Full Moon in December.  The full moon was out in all it's glory

Five Free things to do in Washington D.C.

With a rich history of America's past, Washington D.C. was on my boyfriend, Roody's list of places he wanted to see.  And with a few days till I return to work after the holiday break, we decided on a road trip (14 hours) from Miami to Washington D.C. with a short stop at my brother Garvin's house in Fayetteville, N.C.

We're staying at a hostel in the heart of D.C. with a private room which is totally worth it as we're in walking distance of just about everything there is to see and do in the District.  Today, we saw just about all the known sights in Washington D.C. and with an informative tour provided by our hostel this evening, we learned a lot about the nations capitol and it's history.  Here's how it went:

4 Days in New York

Having lived in New Jersey for more than ten years, I've been to New York many times.  In April, it was my first time going with my relatives, some came as far as from Trinidad and Tobago for the funeral of my grandfather, Oscar Rivers.  It was  a night to remember; the whole gang of us trudging down towards the Path Train into the wee hours of the morning and a quick stop to the 9/11 Memorial.

On this trip however, there was a make-shift itinerary with much to do as we went for CityPasses to six attractions.  We were ready to hit the ground running, landing in New York around 4 pm on July 1st., except they wouldn't land the plane.

Five Things to do at Key Biscayne, Florida

To say that I love the sunshine state is in understatement.  For years, I would dream of 85 degree weather in the winter months in the northern United States.  When I finally made Florida my official home state early in 2012, I thought I would get to enjoy the warm winters and warmer summers finally.  But my move to South Korea, in May 2012 proved other wise.

It hasn't been a whole year since I've been back in the U-S of A and I'm finally ready to see all that the sunny Florida has to offer in terms of things to do and see.

Nine Things To Do in Key West, Florida

Although I am a resident of the state of Florida, technically, I haven't lived in the sunshine state a whole year yet. When I moved to Miami late in 2011, the plan was to stay and get my certifications to teach elementary school.  However, the opportunity to teach in Korea surfaced, and well, I took it.

Three years later, I'm back in Florida and teaching fourth grade in one of the tougher neighborhoods in South Florida.  Eek!

Still, I'm excited to be wearing flip flops and shorts late in December.  The thought of this makes me smile every single time.  ^^  Being back in state known for it's oranges and of course the NBA champions, the Miami Heat, I'm more and more interested in getting out to do stuff.  So, I started with Key West.

Here are some of the "key" highlights (pun intended):

Nine Things To Do in Hong Kong

A city bustling with life and rhythm, Hong Kong rightfully holds the title for the worlds most densely populated country.  Yes, Hong Kong is a country!!  With all that was going on in Hong Kong, I recall feeling very overwhelmed the first few days there.  But by day 3, I was managing to get around the metropolitan hotspot with much ease.

Here are a round up of how I spent my time there:

A Beginner's Guide to World Travel

Wat Pho Temple, Bangkok, Thailand

I took my very first solo travel trip ever, late in 2012 and even then, at 31, the very idea of solo travel was completely new to me.  And backpacking, that was something teenagers --born with silver spoons-- did with graduation money.  Until very recently, I had no idea that it was in fact absolutely possible to travel the world, venturing across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, to see and do as much as I could, all the while paying off huge chunks of debt I had accumulated as an undergraduate at Rutgers University.

Ten Best Things About Living in South Korea

In a few days, it'll be a total of three years that I've been living and teaching in South Korea.  While it's been a mixture of ups and downs, I can with certainty say that it's been an experience I'm really grateful for.  It started with heavy doses of culture shock (live fish and other seafood in the markets), a continuous bowing to nearly everyone I'd meet and trying to the learn hangul, the Korean alphabet.  But as I'm gearing up to leave this country that has been home away from home, I'm reminded of how good it's actually been living fourteen hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the opposite side of the world.

Here are the ten best things about living (and teaching) in South Korea.

Chasing Waterfalls Pt. 2

Living in South Korea has been a rewarding experience and Jeju Island is especially beautiful and rightfully named the "Hawaii" of Korea.  With so much to do that involves a very naturally beautiful and relaxed atmosphere, it's quite okay to some things twice and even three times.  This past summer, I've taken numerous opportunities to see as much as I could and soak up the sunshine.

Yes, I've been chasing waterfalls. :)

Of the many museums and tourist attractions I've been to, nothing beats the waterfalls.  I've already penned my time at Jeongbang Waterfall, here. Now let me tell you about Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, just west of Jeongbang Waterfall along route 1132 in Seogwipo.

After paying the \2,000 won cost of admission (Jeju residents), we took a stroll into the area and was greeted with a huge pond of incredibly large but equally beautiful Koi Fish as people were feeding them some bread crumbs thereby attracting them.

Top 20 Things to Do on Jeju Island

Jeju Island has been my home away from home for the last year or so.  And when the weather warms up around May, I am quite ready to see all that I can see as summer swings in.  Jeju is considered the "Hawaii" of Korea and with several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, I am continuously amazed by the serene and beautiful sites that make up Jeju Island.  It took some time figure out where everything was, so I thought, I'd put together a list of the top 20 things to do here on Jeju.

The Tea at O'Sulloc Museum in South Korea

You are here~

I have long been a fan of the benefits that come with a cup of green tea.  Ever since my grandpa mentioned to my grandma about it being a dieters drink, I'd been drinking a small cup daily with breakfast for several years.  Dr. Oz, a featured doctor on the Oprah Winfrey show who later got his his own syndication has raved about these tea leaves named after my favorite color and the benefits that come from drinking it; benefits that include antioxidants and a means for maintaining and/or losing weight.

I'd seen enough pictures of this museum that my interest had been sparked right from the beginning.  Add to the fact that I've long been a fan of the health benefits of green tea... The stars had aligned, today I'd be heading to O'Sulloc (오설록), known to foreigners as The Green Tea Museum.

Here's the tea...

Trekking in Chiang Mai

Twelve hours in an overnight bus from Bangkok wasn't a bad way to reach Chiang Mai. I read, I slept and then read some more.  At around 7 am, I collected my travel bag, hopped on a red van thingy with 8 or do visitors which then dropped us of at our respective guesthouses.

Eating Everything in Bangkok

Scorpions and silk worms on Khaosan Rd., Bangkok, Thailand

I landed in Bangkok just before 11pm, stood in que for a few minutes so that I could hire a taxi that would take me 45 minutes to my hostel.  Wide awake, I took in the highway.  It resembled much of the highways and byways in other major cities.  I checked in and took a shower and waited for sleep.  I stared at the louvers and the fancy bricks as I laid in bed.  It reminded of my grandmothers' house in Trinidad.  I pulled the thin covers closer to my chest but then my feet was exposed to the night air.  I tried to close the louvers, but they were broken... oh Bangkok!

Life in Korea: A Day in the Life of an English Teacher

Jeju in Autumn

I'm usually out the door of my one room officetel on the third floor by 7:30 am.  This is my routine for when teaching at my main school near Jeju-si.

Ear phones plugged in and hooked up to my iTunes playlist, I love the walk to work. It'll usually take me between 30-40 minutes to get to my school, but even when it's raining, it's a great start to my day.

Foreigners in Korea: In Light of Michael Brown

“It is better to light a candle that to curse the darkness” Eleanor Roosevelt.

Spirited Gardens, Wood Tales and Spirits

I had been longing to get to this botanical garden for at least a year.  I do love botanical gardens and nature trails.  Same for animals, so visiting a local zoo or an aquarium in a new city is always welcomed.  The Yeomiji Botanical Gardens on Jeju Island was a fun visit as was the Seoul Zoo.  Still, my new favorite place to be on Jeju Island, the Spirited Gardens.

Like the name?  I do too and as the name hints, this attraction alludes to more that just plant life.  How?  Hmm.  Let's see.  But first, a few pictures from this amazingly large but serene garden.

Walking Trails in South Korea, #6

I couldn't resist.

Olleh Walking Trails are 26 (21 trails, 5 sub-trails) walking paths that cover the entire 2,713 meter circumference of Jeju Island (and neighboring Udo, Chujado and Gapado Islands) with sub-trails that go slightly inland; a whopping total of 422 km.

Just recenlty, I decided to do my very first Olleh Walking Trail.  And of the many things to do on Jeju-do, this is probably the only one that will require the most endurance, as each walking path can range from 14 km to 20 km in length.  You can bet on walking for at least 4 hours should you decide on doing an Olleh path. They range in difficulty as Jeju-do is known for it's mountainous terrain.

If you plan on doing all 26 paths, be sure to pick up an Olleh passport, so you can collect the stamp at the beginning of each trail.

This past weekend, I opted for the least difficult of the 26 trails, Olleh Trail Number 6.

Together with 3 hiking buddies, we made it through tired, but feeling accomplished.

Playing With Mud in South Korea

Of course, if you've taught in the United States and then come to teach in Korea, you'll notice right away that there is humongous difference in the respect teachers get in South Korea, generally speaking.

Really, if you're teaching elementary school kids, you'll know just how adorable they can be.

So, I really like teaching in Korea.  But what's better than teaching these little darlings you ask?? Taking a break from teaching and going on a field trip some where in beautifully scenic, Jeju Island.

On my most recent field trip, I got down and dirty with some clay.  While helping a few students out, the man demonstrating the technique and probably a supervisor or owner in some regard, permitted the teachers to create our own works of art.