Trying to say something logical and I can't, because well I wish with all my heart I could leave this godforsaken country, and go somewhere else. I wanted to say something on the dangers of plastic surgery, and I even tweaked a picture of myself with my large nose, and so far I have nothing else to say. And yes my nose is large and long, which is so funny because just the other day a friend of mine said he did not like his growing up, but now he has accepted it as his big nose has enabled him to breathe huge gulps of air without restraint.
Two weeks ago, I went to a meeting, and to my horror rain started to fall. I did not have my car, so I knew I had to foot it. I was a bit concerned because so many folks were looking for a ride, and of course being as outspoken as I am, I doubt anyone would make me an offer. Plus just two days before, I got over a very resistant flu, that anchored me to my bed...so there I am, looking as though I am about to undertake a suicide mission. I counted to 5, and ran out into the seemingly light rain, in less than two seconds I was soaked to the skin, but the rain was refreshingly warm, I held my jacket together and walked all the way, passing people with their umbrellas waiting for taxis that were hardly coming. my shoes started to get slippery and many times I almost had a disgraceful fall. I entered into the Chinese restaurant and ordered a meal with Full Throttle, which is my favourite drink. After that I continued my dripping wet journey home. I thought how nice it would be to see my dream guy offer me a ride, my knight in a shining silver Porsche with chrome wheels, but alas that did not happen. One of my friends passed and she hailed me out, "Hey! What you doin there!" I replied, "I am soaking wet!" Well it made no use arguing with her because we fell out before, and she being strong willed like myself realized that it did not make any sense, I sat in the car and her husband rumbled the beige, hunking taxi to my place.
What I did not say, is that I felt that no one cared about me. The water was warm, but I felt cold, like a chill, all alone in the rain. Every step I took, I remembered all the times I drove my car and carried folks home, so you understand that as I walked home, I cursed under my breath that with my next vehicle, I would not even offer a sliver of hope to the 'car-less'. After many effusive thanks, I dripped to my wet apartment, with a warm heart and teary-eyed that there are still some kind people in the world, and like a tiramisu, they come into your life and fill you with hope, wonder, and appreciation. So thanks Johnny and Barbara for the warm-hearted drop of love.
201l©Lisa Marie Bonaparte
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Its 2:22am...
And as I sit here I realize that I am grossly late with my post, to make up here is a photo to keep your stare until Sunday.
Monday, February 7, 2011
CafféLatté Magazine's 4 Islands You Can Visit
Would you like to wake up to beige and white sandy beaches, pristine blue-green waters and coconut trees swaying to salty breezes? Imagine lounging in a hammock swaying between two coconut trees. Scan your eyes on the clear blue-green-horizon-that-meets-the-cotton-cloud-blue-gradient-sky as you sip on your favorite drink. What is the first thing you think about as you gaze outside your office cubicle during a most stressful time at work?
This list may include how you can travel to these countries via the Piarco Airport from the country of Trinidad & Tobago where this blog originates from. My main search engine for flight search is Orbitz.com, since they cater to Trinidad & Tobago. Many of the others I found, caters only to travelers coming out of the US or Canada. In addition I may enlist the help of TravelAdvisor.com. The list is also in no particular order.
Here is a sample visitor's info:
*Travel date: 1st August 2011 - 15th August 2011 (about 2 weeks)
*One Person
*Flight and Hotel
*Non-Stop flights
*Purpose is nightlife fun, sun and beach, with a few spa moments
*Single young woman, looking for a great vacation at the best prices.
*Must have: a clean comfy bed, room must smell great, non-smoker, not far from airport, tasty food, easy access to public transportation like buses, taxis, etc., shopping is a 6 out of 10, which means not much souvenirs ;-)
Dream no longer, here is the list of CafféLatté Magazine's 4 Islands You Can Visit...
1. Turks and Caicos
Their main capital city is Cockburn Town, which is on grand Turk Island. Their airport for international travel is Providenciales International Airport.
There are no direct flights to T&C from T&T. Why are there no direct flights from T&T to T&C? Either way, some permission or visa from the US Embassy may be needed to pass through the US.
Flight Airline: Continental Airlines & US Airways
Flight stops departure and return: Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago;Newark, NJ; Charlotte, North Carolina; Turks and Caicos
Flight time each way: 6+ hours
Hotel and Distance: Sibonne Beach Hotel, 1.3 miles from airport
Price Package(food excluded): $4,483 USD/$28,242.90 TTD
With food and knick knacks: $2,000 USD/$12,600 TTD
Grand Total: $6,483 USD/$40,842.90 TTD
Belize is a full-fledged CARICOM member state. And contrary to the heading, it is not an Island. This country is part of Central America that has very strong ties to the Caribbean, even-though it is next to both Mexico and Guatemala. It has a strong Mayan history and there are some historical sites to see there. It is know for its diverse eco-systems and abundance of marine and land species. It's Caribbean Sea coast is said to be lined with coral reefs, and its Belize Barrier Reef is said to be the second longest in the world and the longest in the Western Hemisphere.
It is 22,806 square kilometers with some really dense forest. The population is about 320,000 people, and their capital is Belmopan (I got Belize City on Orbitz), a city and market district. The Humming Bird Highway is a must-see. On this trip you may want to consider renting a car, since it is a much larger country and if forest is your thing, judging from the pictures, there are hundreds of acres. The currency is the Belize Dollar, however, it may be wise to add Eastern Caribbean and the USD as well.
The Philip Goldson International Airport will welcome you to Belize. The Blue Hole and the Barrier Reef are considered Belize World Heritage Sites.
Flight Airline: Continental Airlines / United Airlines
Flight stops departure and return: Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; Newark, NJ; Houston, Texas; Belize City, Belize.
Flight time each way: 11+ hours
Hotel and Distance: Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel, 7 miles from airport
Price Package(food excluded): $2,887 USD/$18,1881.10 TTD
With food and knick knacks: $2,000 USD/$12,600 TTD
Grand Total: $4,887 USD/$30,788.10 TTD
Car-rentals are a personal decision, personally if I have to rent I prefer face-to-face contact. So, I did not quote any prices here.
It is 22,806 square kilometers with some really dense forest. The population is about 320,000 people, and their capital is Belmopan (I got Belize City on Orbitz), a city and market district. The Humming Bird Highway is a must-see. On this trip you may want to consider renting a car, since it is a much larger country and if forest is your thing, judging from the pictures, there are hundreds of acres. The currency is the Belize Dollar, however, it may be wise to add Eastern Caribbean and the USD as well.
The Philip Goldson International Airport will welcome you to Belize. The Blue Hole and the Barrier Reef are considered Belize World Heritage Sites.
Flight Airline: Continental Airlines / United Airlines
Flight stops departure and return: Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; Newark, NJ; Houston, Texas; Belize City, Belize.
Flight time each way: 11+ hours
Hotel and Distance: Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel, 7 miles from airport
Price Package(food excluded): $2,887 USD/$18,1881.10 TTD
With food and knick knacks: $2,000 USD/$12,600 TTD
Grand Total: $4,887 USD/$30,788.10 TTD
Car-rentals are a personal decision, personally if I have to rent I prefer face-to-face contact. So, I did not quote any prices here.
3. Grenada
A full-fledged CARICOM member state, that is part of many Trini's family history, starting with the Mighty Sparrow and a few early pioneers. This Spicy Island is north of Trinidad and Tobago, and the name of its capital is St. Georges.
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan almost sent Grenada back to the dark ages, but the people there have been resilient and in no time they have been back in business and encouraging foreign investors.When I went to the trade show at Center of Excellence last year, I got quite a bit of their booklets and products, I even spoke to the folks there and they have been very optimistic about the future.
In 2004, Hurricane Ivan almost sent Grenada back to the dark ages, but the people there have been resilient and in no time they have been back in business and encouraging foreign investors.When I went to the trade show at Center of Excellence last year, I got quite a bit of their booklets and products, I even spoke to the folks there and they have been very optimistic about the future.
It is actually one of the Caribbean Islands I would love to retire in instead of spending a vacation there. This beautiful Island that includes Carriacou, Petit Martinique, Ronde Island, and four other small islands, They take up an area measuring 344 square kilometers, with a population of 110, 000.
Turns out Grenada has been booked to capacity in August this year, so I had to settle for a return flight from 3rd August 2011 - 17th August 2011. When you arrive to Grenada, you will arrive at the Point Salines International Airport. The Eastern Caribbean dollar is their main currency.
Flight Airline: Caribbean Airlines
Flight stops departure and return: Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; Maurice Bishop International, Grenada
Flight Price: $262 USD/$1,650.60 TTD
Flight time each way: 1 hour
Hotel and Distance: Gem Holiday Beach Resort, 3 miles from airport
Rates: From $81 USD per night
Price(food excluded): $1,134 USD/$7,144.20 TTD
With food and knick knacks: $1,000 USD/$6,300 TTD
Grand Total: $2,134 USD/$13,444.20 TTD
I would round the whole vacation to $15,000 TTD.
Turns out Grenada has been booked to capacity in August this year, so I had to settle for a return flight from 3rd August 2011 - 17th August 2011. When you arrive to Grenada, you will arrive at the Point Salines International Airport. The Eastern Caribbean dollar is their main currency.
Flight Airline: Caribbean Airlines
Flight stops departure and return: Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago; Maurice Bishop International, Grenada
Flight Price: $262 USD/$1,650.60 TTD
Flight time each way: 1 hour
Hotel and Distance: Gem Holiday Beach Resort, 3 miles from airport
Rates: From $81 USD per night
Price(food excluded): $1,134 USD/$7,144.20 TTD
With food and knick knacks: $1,000 USD/$6,300 TTD
Grand Total: $2,134 USD/$13,444.20 TTD
I would round the whole vacation to $15,000 TTD.
4. British Virgin Islands- Tortola
Imagine my surprise to find out that the British Virgin Islands which is composed of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke and many smaller islands and cays are an associate part of CARICOM. They seemed so distant, as though they are part of the outside territories of the US, and their currency is the USD. According to caricom.com, the population of the BVI in 2008 is 24,004. These bunch of Islands take up an area measuring 153 square kilometers.
This is where you know you have some real Island hopping. The capital of BVI is Road Town, and you will be arriving at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, Tortola. Business opportunities are seemingly ripe there, being one of the more stable and prosperous Caribbean Islands, and unlike T&T, they are fully dependent on tourism. So that tells me, that their customer service is top notch.
If you are an energizer, you would not mind the Island hopping, but if you are simple and laid-back, and all you want is sand, water, sun and hotel room, there may be some information here for you! I must confess to you, the entire Island is absolutely stunning, I am having a hard time choosing a hotel, so Price, Distance and Reviews will be top priority here. Remember that some of the resorts closer to the airport may bust your wallet, however, it is worth every penny.
Flight Airline: Continental Airlines
Flight stops departure and return: Port of Spain, Trinidad &Tobago; Newark, New Jersey; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; Tortola, BVI
Flight time each way: 10+ hours
Hotel and Distance: Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas, 6.7 miles from airport
Price Package (food excluded): $3,812 USD/$24,015.60 TTD
With food and knick knacks: $3,000 USD/$18,900 TTD
Grand Total: $6,812 USD/$42,915.60 TTD
Now, I am leaving room to post some more vacation Islands during the course of the week. The prices are based on actual information, however, some people have cheaper means to vacation and that's great, I believe in paying your way, it may mean more money but less stress.
CafféLatté Magazine's Favourite Super Bowl Ads 2011!
I was doing another post, and then I remembered SUPERBOWL! So I chucked that and here are CafféLatté Magazine's Super Fav Ads!
:_( I tried to post the ads, but they did not work, any way I listed them
Chevy Cruze Echo: Turn up the volume
Doritos: Healing Chips
BMW: Changes
Bud Light: Underdog
NFL: Brand American
Volkswagen Passat: Young Vader
Pepsi Max: Love Hurts
Capital One: New Orleans
Chevy Camaro: Transformers
Bridgestone: Karma
Coca Cola: Border Patrol
Kia Optima: Epic Ride
Volkswagen Black Beetle
Cars.com: go first
Audi A8: Prison Break
Target Peanut Butter
Here is the LINK!
:_( I tried to post the ads, but they did not work, any way I listed them
Chevy Cruze Echo: Turn up the volume
Doritos: Healing Chips
BMW: Changes
Bud Light: Underdog
NFL: Brand American
Volkswagen Passat: Young Vader
Pepsi Max: Love Hurts
Capital One: New Orleans
Chevy Camaro: Transformers
Bridgestone: Karma
Coca Cola: Border Patrol
Kia Optima: Epic Ride
Volkswagen Black Beetle
Cars.com: go first
Audi A8: Prison Break
Target Peanut Butter
Here is the LINK!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
CafféLatté Magazine and a discussion on Art and Invitation
This week, I designed an invitation and a certificate for a company, they loved it, so I am waiting to hear of the changes they want to do to it. They requested three versions, and I thought, how am I going to come up with three versions of an invitation design? It was a challenge, and I got my head together and I must say I was impressed myself.
There is a reason why its called Freelancing, because you are truly free to implement the designs according to the client's tastes and a few feathers of your design style. However I would love to get a design job where the client says,"Give me a design where Picasso and Van Gogh are having Merlot in the house that Wright designed, some perspective." That will be very challenging indeed.
One time, I did a piece of art and Professor D'Agostino said, "Have you heard of Marc Chagall?" I responded, "Nope," but in my head, I thought I might of heard of a bottle of wine with the same name. On the lower left, you can see a sample of his work, actually, this is the one that the professor showed to me, and I was a bit lost for words. Looking back, I kind of like it. I also think Chagall really loved cows, its like they are supposed to remind him of his childhood, or his life as a Jewish artist. He used them alot in his art.
I still have the original pieces of that art somewhere, I put them away so that they can debut on the walls of my new home. Coming to think of it, I kept the majority of my art pieces from the age of 13 years, unfortunately, I had to throw away some due to mould, but I kept the most of my favorites. That frame shop will make a mint off of me, either that, or I will have to learn how to make picture frames for my art.
My dream is to leave this country, and return more energized in the world of Art, because it really is my first love, and I feel there is still more to learn.
When I first went to the MET, I fell in love with the Louis Comfort Tiffany Exhibition. There, I saw the famed Magnolia windows. The pics at that link does not do justice, the Magnolias, in the windows actually had this 3D effect to them that when the rain fell, they probably caught the water beautifully. You must Google the Daffodil Terrace which is remade in the Met Museum. You know what, Google Laurelton Hall you would cry. All the flowers were created using a type of leaded glass.
Art is a gift that cannot die. I feel so hurt when it is stolen, probably sold on the Black Market to a private buyer, who just wants it for his own personal viewing. It would be just fine if it can be shared with the world and in particular shared with the young generation whose sponge-like minds soak up the essence of imagination and reality.
2011©Lisa Marie Bonaparte
 |
| Picasso - The Three Musicians |
One time, I did a piece of art and Professor D'Agostino said, "Have you heard of Marc Chagall?" I responded, "Nope," but in my head, I thought I might of heard of a bottle of wine with the same name. On the lower left, you can see a sample of his work, actually, this is the one that the professor showed to me, and I was a bit lost for words. Looking back, I kind of like it. I also think Chagall really loved cows, its like they are supposed to remind him of his childhood, or his life as a Jewish artist. He used them alot in his art.
 |
| Marc Chagall |
My dream is to leave this country, and return more energized in the world of Art, because it really is my first love, and I feel there is still more to learn.
 |
| Laurelton Hall |
Art is a gift that cannot die. I feel so hurt when it is stolen, probably sold on the Black Market to a private buyer, who just wants it for his own personal viewing. It would be just fine if it can be shared with the world and in particular shared with the young generation whose sponge-like minds soak up the essence of imagination and reality.
2011©Lisa Marie Bonaparte
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
CafféLatté Magazine's Ten Favourite Eyes Seen in the Media
Your eyes are the window to the world. There are very important and makes life easier. So without further ado, here are CafféLatté Magazine's Ten Favorite Eyes Seen in the Media.
Claudette Colbert
Oprah
Jada Pinkett-Smith
Eva Mendes
Shirley Manson
Camilla Belle
Parminder Nagra
Lucy Liu
Sarah Jessica Parker
Freddie Washington
Jean Harlow
Bonus- Norah Jones
Linda Evangelista
Milla Jovovich
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