The Growing 'Thing' that's Halloween in Trinidad (and Tobago?)

My Halloween costume after the fact

When I was a child, Halloween was not something we celebrated here in Trinidad and Tobago. It was not a "thing". The closest we got to Halloween was the celebrations we saw on television and movies in the US. Noone dressed up - in fact you had no access to costumes for dressing up. There really was no interest in this thing called Halloween.

Fast forward to 2013, and the influence of media, particularly social media, and Halloween seems to be a "thing" here now. There are stores which cater to those who want to participate in the Halloween dress up, there are Halloween parties, there is trick or treating. Trick or treating!!!

Now in the West of Trinidad, where there are many expats, I know this is a big thing, but I thought it amusing that there is this "nonsense" in the Southland as well.

My friend was sitting watching tv on Thursday night, waiting for "Scandal", when she heard this noise outside her house. Thinking it was someone up to no good, she picked up her emergency club and headed to the front door. I mean, she lives alone, and in these crazy times with all sorts of criminals about the place, she was not taking any chances. As she peered out, she heard children's voices. She opens the door, and there they were - little goblins, pirates and the like, asking for sweets. What she did next made me laugh out loud as I imagined the cuteness looking back at her.

She sucked her teeth and closed the door. lol. Well, 1) she had no sweets so what was she gonna do? Give them rice? and 2) seriously? trick or treating in Trinidad? Her words were "I was scared out of my wits and is f...g trick or treating? I was just damn vex."

LOL. One of my colleagues pre-empted doors closing in his kid's face by buying the sweets and recruiting friends and family in the neighbourhood to hand them out when they knocked on doors. I mean, it really is not a "thing" everywhere as much as some may want it to be a "thing".

I myself was part of a Halloween themed event on Thursday, where I really had no choice in the matter. Still, it was fun - and hey, after the week I had, it was nice to be able to dress up and let loose. Still, Halloween in Trinidad, while growing in popularity, still has not grown on me and clearly not on my friend.

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Ode to the amazing and so important...Shoulder

The shoulder pain is worse. This is not even funny. Taking a shower, putting on a t-shirt, holding a snazzy handbag, holding on to the rail in the train so you don't fall over on some smelly Brit, sleeping -  all very painful now. How, oh how, we take a healthy shoulder for granted. I miss my masseuse desperately. These are little perks that noone should dare try to live without. I have tried stretching it out but it is not working and the pain is mind-numbing. I got to the drug store too late this evening and so it will be yet another night of this agony.

So I went to the Halloween party. Not really my kinda thing. There were some live bands but they were horrible in my opinion and the deejay was a hot mess. But the company was great - had a nice time with the girls, and my "costume" turned out pretty okay in the end. I ended up going as an overdressed Playboy bunny. In this weather and with these hips, I was not going to be in anything looking like a leotard or nightie. I was aiming more for Easter bunny but the black and white bunny ear set called to me. Hop hop.

I am also a bit miffed that I have to go on campus 3 out of my 5 days off this week - one being today. Well I did not make it to campus exactly, but it was just a 1 minute bus ride away. Today was the scholars' tea which actually was quite nice. A bit posh, but really great people from around the world. I was surprised there were no cucumber sandwiches but there was lots of tea. Lots of it. I managed to be the rebel in the group and drink juice.

I have never been a tea drinker. I never really liked hot beverages growing up. I would have the occasional hot Milo but never tea. Only as I started studying in earnest around age 15 (O'Levels), did my fascination with coffee begin. I used to have it black with a couple sugars and strong. Then when in my first semester of my undergrad programme, I realised my hands were shaking after a 48 hour coffee binge during study season (aka beat season, alluding to the expression, "beating the books"), I cut back on coffee. Then I started working and getting up in the dead of morning to get to work and I fell in love with what some may call "girlie" coffees - mochaccino and cappuccino. And during my gym-crazed moments, I would drink copious amounts of green tea with one sugar. This is where I am at still.  I have some reading to do and just downed a cappuccino with heaps of cocoa drizzling my foamy top. I think I am ready to go.

How did I go from ode to the shoulder to ode to coffee? I am not sure. But I will end this now.

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A Real Halloween Nightmare

I know there are some of you who literally cannot stand my lack of posting and for this I am sorry. The photo is my proof of being busy. I have been busy, for the most part. I have school work coming up my throat as vomit and out my ears as reverse noise. It is now almost 48 hours since I have slept and I surprisingly needed a glass of wine to bring me back to bed, minus the books and notes. I have been asked to please come (by the lovely Sonso) to a party tomorrow night - a Halloween type thing I guess - and as much work as I want to do, I know I need to also find some sort of balance. I realised yesterday that since I have been in London this time around, I have been to central London once, I believe. It's been 6 weeks.The thing is I have no Halloween-esque accoutremnts, though the dark circles under my eyes surely must make for great costuming.

You would also be pleased to know that the dreaded essay which I wrote about a couple weeks ago has lost. Me 1 vs Essay 0. My lecturer announced in class that my essay was a "joy to read". If she only knew how her comments were a "joy to hear". I am basking in the temporary joy that I have the highest marked essay in the class so far, but I am sure she has read a few better ones by now. I still bask. Give me my small moment, thank you.
It's reading week aka half-term week so I don't have actual classes this week but it is not a break by any stretch of the imagination. It is just the lecturers' way of saying, "we have f@#%ed you all semester, and know you need a week to complete the dozens of assignments we have set you. So there you go."

And that is exactly what I will be doing. I also have scholars' tea tomorrow. That sounds so posh and dry it is mind numbing. Scholars' tea - where a bunch of us who are on scholarship mingle and meet academics. I think of a bunch of nerds in tweed, sipping Earl Grey and eating little sandwiches. Luckily, they will have me as well.

Last week was a tough one for me, hence the lack of posts. I need to be in the right frame of mind to write. I missed a lot of things last week, like Trini picong and my little family, but besides the chronic pain in my shoulder, I am alright. About that - dunno how I can go out when I cannot even lift my right arm without agony. But we will see how it goes. I hope I can make it. For now, I am going back to the books.

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