In Scarborough, I live in a studio apartment. It is something that I always wanted to experience. Some folks like to have a room for everything: bed-room, living-room, bath-room, etc. For some reason, studio apartments are hardly ideal for "roomy section oriented" people. For one, it is an open-concept area with a lot of light, not very claustrophobic, very spacious and an organizational challenge for disorganized people. However, I love that you do save on electricity, I mean one light can illuminate the entire place and there are no "hidden" corners, which makes it easy to find insects like roaches and spiders without feeling like, "I really hope that spider is NOT in this bedroom."
On television channels like HGTV, the viewers are assaulted with terms like "out-dated", or "I wanted hard-wood floors and not laminate" or "this bathroom is tiny" or my favourite, "we will have to renovate this house to put our touches" (even though the home may be move-in ready and the appliances are brand-new). I still love HGTV though, especially, Property Brothers, Love It or List It, Hawai'i Life and House Hunters Intl. I decided to chuck all the renovations and new furniture and whatnot and work with what I have right now:
Its not all white...
Yep, this took me about 30 - 45 mins to plot, measure and recreate and on the right you would see the "cake soap" version of me.
Below is what I dreamt about, still with my original furniture and with a bit of subtractions and additions:
Check out the "Fireman" bed area above the dressing room.
"Tiny" bathroom with dressing area, separated by sliding barn door.
Upgraded kitchen with room to entertain friends.
Dressing room under the bed area.o
Living room layout next to entry.
This look may not be appealing to Caribbean locals, but I can see foreign visitors tackling a layout like this, and there is room for an average-sized dog or cat.
Let me know what you think on FB under Lisa Marie or below in the comments.
Island living. I can't say it is perfect, but it is certainly challenging.
Tobago is a completely different culture, in terms of the people. They love their heritage and to a certain extent the older heads are still respected. While I live in the city, interestingly I prefer the country life here. In some parts, like L'Anse Fourmi, I am reminded of the stories my mom would tell me. She did not grow up in Tobago, but the simple living as a little girl growing up among boys, helps me to visualize how she lived in the 1960's Point Fortin.
L'Anse Fourmi is very quiet and a bit underdeveloped. The villagers are very close and on a Sundays it is endearing to take a walk and talk to some of the villagers there. Did you know that some of the eldest people in Tobago live in L'Anse Fourmi and Charlotteville. These are not rich folks, but they are wealthy in wisdom, health and experience.
Now you have a personal account of a Tobadadian (copyrighted). I might add that unless you have a taste for adventure, you would never really learn Tobago... you have to get up and get out!
I did another home. The idea stemmed from a recent disappointment and I had to channel that energy somewhere. It has some pretty unusual features and too many windows. Right now, we are living at a time where we need to have some sort of cooling system, or boiled alive. I call this design the Double-Tapper. First, I took too long to finish it (I did not even design the doors and put in a gate), secondly, I want to upgrade my current apartment design to maximize the space, I will post these soon.
Take a look below and tell me what you think!
I almost forgot, it has: 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, living and dining, kitchen, washroom and storage, double parking, patio, and an office. I did not take much measurements but I estimate its about 2,300 sq ft.
In Tobago, I found that the majority of residents here build massive homes with lots of little apartments and charge really high rents. I have been to some places where it is about 12 feet long by 8 feet wide with one window for $1,500 a month. And I have seen slightly larger for about $300.00 more. One place is a one bedroom with a little window. That goes for $2,200 a month. And if you protest they say, "That is my price, take it or leave it."
So, I decided to 'build' a home on Google Sketchup, because somewhere I think there is potential to have a home and apartments, but make it 'liveable' and get the maximum out of your tenants and home without having to run A/C for an entire day.
I saw a piece of land by the beach, it is very large, so I thought what if I to purchase a piece from it about 30 ft across and about 80 plus feet long. It is narrow, so the home that I built, will be pretty long and narrow, there would be minimal yard space, but will still have enough parking for all. I am not finished with the design yet, but I am pretty happy how its coming along.
The bottom apartment is for rent, this is the side facing the beach.
Many people have a breaking point. Some folks earnestly believe that they don't, if you are one of those, ask your self, why does the human body have a limit to the amount of pain one can endure? Why do we have to be anesthetized when having surgery?
In the month of May, I was over stressed, my roommate and I were over stressed, we had a limit and then it was time to do something drastic. My end of the deal was done, so I packed up and with a few shed tears and hugs, kisses and take cares, I hopped on a boat looking for euphoria.
My mom was on hand to make sure I was fine, I felt elated, but my body was twisted emotionally, and mentally. I needed rest. So for two days I slept, got up bathe and slept. On the third day I took notes. Then I slept.
Then I worked the streets…
Eventually I found a place and a job and everything else fell into place… just like that. (Feel free to include prayers, tears, reading, phone calls, angry out bursts, etc.) I did not find euphoria, but I found a reason to keep going. I found new challenges and new friends and people in my life. My family has been supportive, in particular my mom and grandmother. Their unwavering support will be of the best things I would remember because, I felt unappreciated and unloved, and they called and made it seemed 'ok' to face trials.
God. Some folks have confidence in Him. I do, but not to the point that I throw it out there like hot water. Some days, I did not want to leave my bed, or go anywhere, sometimes I felt like I needed someone, and mom or granny could not call fast enough, I needed a presence, a feeling that I am not alone in this. That what happened in April really did happen. The feeling that if something like that could happen, then I would take the south and destroy everything. So, I thank God that i did not, and I took the highway, and that this would be the last time I would look back. I am gone… and I will find euphoria.
And then there was the Colorado shooter. According to reports, he started planning in May to shoot as many people as he can. He was brilliant, top of his university, shy, and a geek. He also ran cross country and played soccer. So why did he stock up on weapons and went into a crowded cinema to kill people? Why? What did he hope to accomplish? In reference to Albert played by Michael Caine's character in the 2nd installment of Batman, "…Some men just want to see the world burn." Did Mr. Holmes-who-just-sullied-the-greatest-surname-in-the-history-of-fictional-literature-by-becoming-a-villian wanted to see the world burn? Apparently, police refuse to look for a motive. Who would want to? Here it is you took two months to plan a murder? Where is the sense of right, wrong, and moving on?
Every one have a choice. A choice to do right and wrong. Sure we are all imperfect, and we do make mistakes, but there was a choice to be made.
Another thing I can't understand, folks tend to blame others for their actions. Ok so you were bullied in school, could not find a job, someone in your office is a jerk, the boss is a maniac. Whatever, like my sister says, "Deal with it and move on, don't settle for revenge or wasted time talking about it. Besides, you come to work to work/get the job done."
I learned a lot here in Tobago. First, you will not always have your family, cherish them while they are still alive. Secondly, You do have a choice, make sure it is the right one, and thirdly, there will always be office politics, they are hurdles, keep focused and forget the negatives, be positive, and give 110%. After all, it's a battlefield, survive without burning bridges.
The Colorado Murderer and I made plans in the Month of May. He killed people, I got a positive boost and outlook.
Working with her husband, Orlando Dinchong, they meld their creative vibes to create and push for a different type of advertising and video editing techniques. Ensuring that the finished product sets a minimum standard on which they can build their platform to better creative networking.
Mary-Ann Brailey
Q: Briefly, what is the nature of your business and what do you do?
A: I am in the creative business. I do graphic design for all print media. I also partner with my husband in video production as well as CG (computer generated) 3D animation.
Q: What is your current state of mind right now?
A: My current state of mind…hmmm…I am currently very upset about the recent reports of child abuse – it’s something that has been bothering me tremendously and just recently I said to myself, "there must be some way I could help", not completely sure how, but I cannot sit back and not contribute something…even if it’s small…for now.
Q: Who/What influenced you to go into graphic design, and videography?
A: Well, I have always been a lover of art in all its forms and in 2000 I acquired a position as an assistant curator for the gallery 1.2.3.4. There, I worked under Ronald Joseph, who became a very dear friend to me…he was actually the one who got me involved in graphic design, having many years of experience in advertising, he taught me all he knew, and to this day I am still learning. In 2001, my husband decided we should start our own business in video production, but especially focusing on 3D animation. As years went by we taught ourselves and practiced, practiced, practiced and we were able to identify our strengths and become better. It was hard in the early years, as I think people weren’t ready for animation on that level, I was even told that by several senior members in two ‘big’ media houses. So with much rejection, we decided to lay low. We did get a few jobs by word of mouth, and after awhile our clients grew. Now, we have decided to come out and advertise…we will see how it goes.
Q: I see that you mention Pat Bishop a lot, how did you two meet?
A: I met Pat in 2001 at the gallery where we were hosting one of her exhibitions. We didn’t really become friends till 2004, when I started working at the Carnival Institute of Trinidad and Tobago. There she saw our work in animation and video production, and soon after became our biggest client. Pat was gifted in seeing other people’s gifts and she made sure you became great at your gifts. She was an inspiration, a motivator and she loved animation. She was many things, a normal meeting with her and you guaranteed to learn something.
Q: What are some of the projects that you have done, on TV, magazines, or in the newspapers?
A: My husband and I have completed several animated TV ads. Our biggest challenge was the CEPEPER campaign. We have done video production for Wonderful World, the Carnival Institute just to name a few. I have been doing TUCO’s yearly carnival congratulations full page advert for the past 3 years. I recently started work with the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Guide, I did the cover for their 10th Anniversary edition.
Q: What was the best thing that has ever happened to you in your life?
A: The best thing that has ever happened to me…I have several…but I will say my family, the knowledge I have acquired from working with Pat and mostly knowing our creator.
Q: What are your other hidden talents?
A: My other talents are photography, I have about 8 years experience in event and stage management, I am also a mother, wife and career woman.
Q: If you had one wish that could come true, what would it be? And if possible, who would it be with?
A: A huge, huge house with a gigantic garden with a secret garden and trees, flowers and mazes for my family and I.
Q: Throughout history, some folks have experienced the ups and downs of life, and as a result they said a quote(s). What is your favorite quote, who said it, and how does it apply to you?
A: I have a few favourite quotes, but these days I have been saying this one in my head over and over: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” – Martin Luther King. Jr.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I am currently working on a few things, getting our company out there. My husband and I are working on a film and I am helping my friend start up a small organization where its soul purpose, is to bring more awareness to people and children on ‘child abuse’.
Q: If you have a comment for CafféLatté magazine, what would it be?
