Hello, I’m an editor with international experience, PR and communications consultant, marketing professional, and educator with over 21 years of teaching experience. I began my career at a very young age, and ever since, communication, education, and empowerment have been central to who I am and what I do.
I bring 10 years of experience in communications and public relations, with a strong focus on crisis management and communications planning. I support individuals and organizations in navigating sensitive situations, protecting credibility, and communicating with clarity, confidence, and purpose. My background in marketing allows me to approach editing and communications strategically, always considering audience, impact, and long-term goals.
I’m also the creator of a globally read blog, which has reached readers in 151 countries and received over 28,000 views to date. Sharing thoughtful content that inspires reflection, growth, and positivity is something I genuinely enjoy.
Beyond my professional life, I’m passionate about sustainability and actively practice recycling, particularly paper and bottles. I also believe in recognizing excellence—when I receive impeccable service, I share it through Google reviews, which have accumulated 74,000 views so far.
At my core, I value integrity, clarity, and kindness. I believe success is personal, growth is ongoing, and life—at every stage—is meant to be celebrated.
Jai Veer Hanuman! Om Namo Hanumate Namaha! Bajrang Bali Ki Jai!
Hanuman Jayanti is one occasion that I like many other devotees the world over look forward to!
This was how the day began:
Hanuman Jayanti Greetings from Appaji- His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachidananda
This year I was able to be present at places I hold quite dearly and I was able to celebrate it with those who are extremely dear to me at firstly- the Coromandel Shiv Mandir in Coromandel Village Cedros, and later in the day at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre at Orangefield Road in Carapichaima!
I was able to spend time with my family-immediate family, Coromandel Shiv Mandir family and our Datta family- a true blessing you will surely agree!
It was not only a day of singing praises to Lord Hanuman but it was a day of Hanuman Chalisa Chanting! All in all it was a blissful day and a day filled with devotion!
The day was filled with being there while pujas were being conducted, bhajans were being sung and the highlight of the day was spending it with people who I value! During puja at the Coromandel Shiv Mandir there was rain at one point and it was welcomed in the midst of the dry spell and soaring temperatures we have been experiencing in Trinidad and Tobag0.
When we arrived at Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre puja was in progress. Being at the feet of Lord Hanuman was a blessing and I enjoyed every moment thoroughly. The view of the moon was very inviting and capturing the pictures you see below together with the view of the stars were the final touches to an already perfect day!
Here are some pictures I took while I was at the Coromandel Shiv Mandir on Hanuman Jayanti:
Puja to Lord Hanuman was in progress! My Mom (Mrs Doris Thomas) is the one in red kneeling at the Bedi!Offerings were being made to the Shiva LingamThe bedi-the flowers, sacred leaves, the tulsi tree, the fig tree, the kalsa, the lota-a beautiful sight!The murtis on the stage-Coromandel Shiv MandirThe singhasan -Coromandel Shiv MandirLord Ganesh, Hanuman Baba and Lord Shiva
I am grateful that both events did not occur at the same time as in the morning I was at the Coromandel Shiv Mandir and in the evening I was at the Dattatreya Yoga Centre to witness puja at the 85ft Karya Siddhi Hanuman Murti.
While those were the morning pictures these were the evening pictures:
Puja was in progress and devotees were participating in Puja
A View of Karya Siddhi Hanuman Ji from where I was sitting!A beautiful sight- Guru Paduka Puja was performed as well as Puja to Lord Satyanarayana- the light, the flowers, the coconut, the decorations of the Padukas, Hanuman Ji, Lord Satyanarayana and Appaji-0ur beloved Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachidananda Swamiji of Mysore IndiaSuch a beautiful sight- both Murtis of Lord Hanuman are beautifully decorated. Look at them adorned with flowers. Look also at the Malas of paan leaves, the lights, the parrots, the vada! Karya Siddhi Hanuman Ki Jai! Jai Veer Hanuman!This is another view of the beautifully decorated Lord Hanuman! Jai Veer Hanuman!
This was such a mystical sight! There was a full moon for Hanuman Jayanti 2016! I am happy I was able to get this picture!
So beautiful! So mystical! Look at how brightly the moon was shining and I am pleased I was able to get this photo of Lord Hanuman and the Moon.
The greatness of Hanuman Ji is evident! For those who do not know Hanuman Ji is the 11th incarnation of Lord Shiva! Bajrang Bali Ki Jai!This picture like the others tells a thousand words!
In case you are still learning the Hanuman Chalisa please use this video to help you:
Please remember to save the dates: July 2nd- 9th 2016
It’s Earth Day everyone- 22nd April 2016! Happy Earth Day everyone!!!
Let’s begin with some history. It is a short documentary. Have a look at it!
What did you do to celebrate Earth Day 2016? Though this is one day set aside to celebrate Earth Day we can celebrate it every day. If you didn’t do something today you do something tomorrow or the day after.
This video shows us how Earth Day is celebrated around the world:
I am pleased to share some tips with you but first let’s take a look at some of what we have. This is a beautiful indication of the beauty of the Earth which surrounds us!
Being surrounded by such inviting water, rich flora and fauna reminds us of how lucky were are! Earth is our home and it is our duty to protect it!
They are all winners. This is how the Principal of the Cedros Montessori School, Monica Soorjan described her students.
The school’s first Annual School Sports was followed by an Easter Bonnet Parade- this was the order of events for the pre-school students of the Cedros Montessori School in the past week.
On Thursday last- the day for the Annual Easter Bonnet Parade- they made the usual walk undertaken by the school to the Jetty (called the “Old Jetty” by residents) and back to their school.
These preschoolers were all well-dressed! The girls looked beautiful and the boys were dashing! The baskets, the flowers, the hats, the Easter eggs, the bunnies and the excitement they showed made the event truly memorable and it was evident that their parents invested a lot of time!
Beautiful girls of the Cedros Montessori School!Handsome boys of the Cedros Montessori School!
They were accompanied by Soorjan who they all refer to as Miss Monica, their 3 teachers and some of the proud parents!
Before the Parade!Some of the students!
Mere days earlier (on Sunday) they participated in the first Annual Sports Day hosted by their Principal and their teachers.
All parents provided tremendous support and participation here as well to make the event a resounding success. In addition to this, other family members were on hand to urge them on and make their very first school sports a day they might always remember.
Seeing them ready for the march past and marching with smiles on their faces was wonderful. They marched and they marched well in spite of the sun. Then they took part in the events that followed. It really was a sight to behold and it was filled with lots of excitement.
Team Sapphire, Team Aquamarine, Team Ruby (all teams)My reason for being at this Sports Day- my darling nephew Richie-Lee Thomas
Most certainly we can learn a lot from these preschoolers. Through their parents and the school as an institution (principal and teachers) it is evident that there is discipline, respect, team work, sportsmanship, friendship and that learning is also taking place.
Hats off to these darling angels and all those who are a part of their learning, together with those who are nurturing their growth and development! It is definitely a reason to celebrate!
The adults also had an opportunity to enjoy events of their own. They had Zumba and Tug-O-War. Those that participated in Zumba thoroughly enjoyed it! It was evident that it in tug-o-war they joined in, they stuck together and they also had fun!
It is a fervent reminder of Nappy Mayers, “Bring Back the Old Time Days”.
Today makes it one year since my dear grandfather passed away. We, his grandchildren, called him Baba!
A token of our love from all family members of the late Ramlal Dookie
We miss him but we know his pain and suffering are over. Our love for him and the love he showed us is something we will never forget. He is gone but will never be forgotten.
Have a look at this video and listen to this bhajan by His Holiness Dr. Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji:
So very true!
Here are two pictures I am happy to share:
This is a picture taken a few months before Baba got more sick and ended up in the hospital. Nanny and Baba had puja and Nanny placed a mala around Baba’s neck and did Aarti for him- October 14, 2014My grandparents (Baba- The late Mr Ramlal Dookie and Nanny- Jassodra Celia Dookie) after Puja on 14 October 2014.
I have been thinking of all the things I wanted to share with Baba in this past year- my graduation, my internship, our fishes, our plants etc! He has given us so much memories and now his pain and suffering are no more. That is our comfort and the fact that we have each other!
I called him as often as I could and before marriage he would ask about everyone at home and after marriage he would always ask, “How the boss?” referring to Shiva. I enjoyed those times when I was able to sing Happy Birthday to him and when I was able to talk to him and spend time with him.
I would always value the time I was able to spend with Baba in his last days at the hospital. Even then we were being taught valuable lessons-every single one of us who was there!
Knowing that when there is birth there is death is a reality we have always been taught but what matters is that we have made the most of the time we had Baba and all our other loved ones in our lives and we keep doing that for all those who are still with us.
Guidance from the Holy Scriptures is our comfort!
We were fortunate to have Baba, our grandpa, around for the time he was here. He was able to see us all grow up- children and grandchildren. He was also able to see some of his great grandchildren and each of us has similar memories but also different memories. Either way there are lots of memories for each of us to remember!
Baba was always a great Devotee. He was always prayerful and continued chanting the name of God in his last moments!
This is a post I wrote last year to celebrate Baba’s life:
This one captures our gratitude to Level 16 Ward 12 Suite 5 of the San Fernando Teaching Hospital for the high level of care and attention they gave to him.
Maybe you might also remember this next post! It captures the relationship my grandparents shared. On the day Baba passed away I had a presentation to do for one of my courses, Critical Analysis of Media and TV Coverage with Mr Roddy Batchasingh at COSTAATT. Baba had passed away in the morning and I had class in the evening. My presentation was dedicated to the bond my grandparents shared and my song of choice was “Thinking out Loud” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQLqu-ThMOY by Ed Sheeran.
Gone but not forgotten: The late Ramlal Dookie: November 14, 1933- March 19, 2015
Father of seven (7) children born to Jassodra Celia Dookie- 6 girls and 1 boy- Doris, Dora, Dolcie, Devi, Jaggs, Bena and Rajdaye, my grandma is the mother-in-law of and my grandpa was the father-in-law of Ranjit, Winston, Fyzal, Sharaz, Hosein, Rosemary and Rajesh.
He was the Brother-in-law of Mynee, Bissondaye (Betty), Bharose, Doodnath, Sita,Vinda and the late Sookraj Ramlakhan (my grandma’s siblings). Grandfather of 15 (Rishi, Savita, me, Adesh, Ria, Ricky, Sarah, Imran, Candice, Premnauth, Susan, Joseph, Josiah, Vincent and Leah), he was also a great grandfather of 5, uncle of Dilip among many others and he was a friend of many.
Apart from loving his family, anyone could associate him with riding his bicycle which he did for many years and with fishing with his seine which he enjoyed a lot.
We all know the saying that nothing happens before its time and it holds true for this experience. It wasn’t one of those things we spoke about days before but we just decided to attend puja mere hours before .
Truth be told I added the Datta Shiva Ram Temple (it is located in Hindustan, Princes Town, Trinidad) in 2012 on Facebook but I only got an opportunity to visit it for the first time on that Sunday (February 7th, 2016)!
Finally I was able to be here! Jaya Guru Datta! It was a mixture of emotions- thankful, happy, relieved, excited!
Such a beautiful sight! This and the serenity were the first things to greet me!What a beautiful sight! Divine, beautiful, a blessing!
It was not only a pleasure to be there but in every sense it was a blessing! Apart from being a serene ambience everything about it was inviting-the fresh air, Swamiji’s smiling face and feeling His Divine presence all around.
Further to that during Homa there was a light rain- a sure sign of Blessings from up above!
I also enjoyed seeing lots of fresh flowers and fruits around!
What made it more enjoyable was witnessing everything we were able to. This together with Pundit Chitta Balroop’s important messages taught so much valuable lessons such as:
the importance of Puja to Lord Satnarayana
why we should partake of Prasadam
why we must keep our promises (a pertinent reminder that there are consequences to every action)
why we should not waste time (a fervent reminder that we must do what we can do today as tomorrow is promised to no one)
why we should not lose sight of what is important
Another beautiful picture which was taken at the entrance of the Mandir.The group was singing! Swamiji was looking on!
A view of the Mandir at night!
This was another first for me! I consider it a blessed experience! Really, nothing happens before it’s time- it happens when the time is right! Hopefully this is something we can all remember- nothing happens before its time!
Indeed January 31, 2016 was a blessed and blissful day! If you missed this opportunity to join with us we are happy to share some of it with you via this post and if you were with us, this is our way of letting you know how meaningful your presence was to us.
It was a day Coromandel Shiv Mandir hosted the Datta Kirtan Mandali members and it was a day that we together with many other devotees were looking forward to! For those who know Coromandel is where I grew up and an opportunity to be at the Mandir and in my family home is always something I look forward to thoroughly.
We had planned on leaving earlier than we actually did but we were happy that we got there on time. Interestingly enough we met our Datta family just before we reached Chatham and were able to witness the full Hanuman Chalisa Chanting event! When the function ended we were able to spend more time with everyone-our Coromandel Shiv Mandir family, our Datta family, my family, members of the Epic ChanTTing Team and other devotees who are equally dear to us!
Here is what the official invitation looked like and we were happy to share it with as many people as we could.
This was created by my sister- Ria Thomas
The Mandir as always was beautifully decorated and at the entrance we were greeted by the beautiful Murti of Lord Ganapati! Ganapati Bapa Moriya! When we got there Pundit Naresh Maharaj was concluding puja and devotees were seated, awaiting the start of the chanting!
Many would agree that Hanuman Chalisa Chanting is so therapeutic, so meaningful, and it is always filled with so much love and energy. This event is indeed a memorable one and it is considered by us all as a great blessing. It was a collective effort as teamwork was present throughout. Moreover it was a blissful, a powerful and an awesome experience. No one word could fully describe it.
Here are some of the pictures I was able to get:
Sri Gyan Ramlogan and Members of the Datta Kirtan Mandali as they get ready for chanting
Prayer was being offered-Om Namo Hanumate Namaha
Lord Shiva was adorned with a beautiful fresh flower Mala made by Auntie Asha Moonsammy
Lord Hanuman was adorned with another beautiful fresh flower Mala made by Auntie Asha Moonsammy
Hanuman Chalisa Chanting was in progress! Jai Veer Hanuman!
Devotees were doing AartiStanding by the Bedi was Pundit Naresh Maharaj who conducted Puja prior to the start of chanting.
Devotees stood with clasped hands and sang as the Aarti was being performed.
Every moment spent was one to cherish. We could tell that everyone enjoyed this experience because of the radiant smiles we saw, the way everyone participated in chanting and in the feedback we received following the function.
We had just over 125 devotees in our presence and chanted Hanuman Chalisa 14 times.
It was a joyous occasion too as it allowed Epic ChanTTing members to officially meet each other.
January 31, 2016 remains a memorable day for the Coromandel Shiv Mandir and its Members. From my Mom (Mrs Doris Thomas), my Dad (Mr Ranjit Thomas), and all other Members of the Coromandel Shiv Mandir to the Members of the Datta Kirtan Mandali and all Devotees, we thank you each of you wholeheartedly for chanting Hanuman Chalisa with us! May the continued Blessings of the Divine Master be with you now and always!
Jai Veer Hanuman! Bajrang Bali Ki Jai! Om Namo Hanumate Namaha!
Can you imagine the world as it would be without the internet? I am not sure you can or you might be remotely interested in doing such!
Image courtesy clipartpanda.com
Today I choose to focus on news! So much goes on around us and true enough sometimes we are oblivious, or unaware! Do you know how much has happened in the world that you may not have heard of yet? It’s a lot and I am using this opportunity to share some of it! Click on the links as you come upon them. Each link will lead you to something that has happened very recently in the world and interestingly enough all of these stories have taken place in the past 48 hours.
Take note of the photographs, the video footage and all the information that is shared. Here we go:
Image from cliparts.co
The first story focuses on sad news. There was a lot of damage done! Thank God that you are safe, sound and alive! A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35511884
Do you know that a crane collapsed in lower Manhattan yesterday morning and it killed one person and injured two others? If you didn’t here is the link to an article that contains some footage an onlooker captured- http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35511457
At this stage too news world be incomplete without mention of the Zika virus. This was released a mere 18 hours ago and it focuses on precautions that men should take regarding this virus-http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/05/health/zika-urine-saliva/
We can all agree that locally there is a lot of disturbing news. This is something from our local news which you might want to read. It’s from the Trinidad Guardian and concerns information about the explosion at Kleen Rite Dry Cleaners earlier in the week: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2016-02-05/gas-delivery-driver-hailed-hero
Hopefully some information within this post has been of help to you. Keep up with what’s going on around you please! Embrace every opportunity to learn more! Celebrate it!
Here is what you may want to find out more about:
courtesy cw39.comA site where buildings collapsed is seen in this aerial picture taken after a powerful earthquake hit Tainan, southern Taiwan, February 6, 2016. Courtesy REUTERS/Xinhua
courtesy Loop News
In closing it’s Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago! Whether or not you’re taking part in the festivities I wish you the very best! Have a safe and enjoyable weekend everyone!
According to Dictionary.com respect is defined as:
to hold in esteem or honor
to show regard or consideration
to refrain from intruding upon or interfering with, as in privacy.
I believe you know what respect is and I am happy you are reading it because I wanted you to read something you can share with others, be it at home or at school or via email or mail or any of the other available possibilities open to you.
Have a look at this:
Respect involves the acceptance of the views, beliefs and feelings of others. It comes from treating others as you would like to be treated and it is something I firmly believe in whether it’s between strangers, between bosses and their employees, among colleagues, acquaintances, friendships, marriages, sibling relationships, parent-child relationships, grandparent-grandchildren relationships or any of the other family relationships we know of.
In so many ways we are seeing how respect is being lost. This video however reminds us “OLD SCHOOL” respect that we have heard about so many times. Respect is a universal topic. Listen to what is being said and see how applicable it is:
In addition to this respect is also needed for nature-plants and animals. Have a look at this:
Here are some things it does not hurt to be reminded of:
Treat others in the same manner as you would want to be treated. It’s the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Change only to become a better you.
Never compromise your values!
Try your best to live without regrets!
Doing something wrong can never make it right!
Value the relationships you build and the people in your lives.
Be true to yourself!
Respect is a 2 way street- it must be given before it is earned.
In the same way that you must love yourself before you can love others, self-respect comes before respecting others.
Respect and trust are key elements in a friendship and we can all agree that when either is lost, it may be regained to some extent but, more often than not things will never be the same. Most relationships begin with friendship and whether it is any of the relationships described above it involves friendship.
Take note of how Bruno Mars describes friendship in this video:
Hopefully you were singing along with Bruno Mars and hopefully you enjoyed the other videos too. The video is based on friendship but the respect these kids have for each other is so evident!
I was thinking of something local and my dear friend Regina Cozier mentioned this. Thank you Regina! Have a look at this too as it reinforces everything said and brings it across musically. Like everything else there is a lesson in it especially as it can help with values that are being lost in society. Great job 3Canal!
Thank you for taking the time to read this everyone! Hasta la vista!
This post is dedicated to Celebrating 2015 and surviving it. What a year it most certainly has been and our comfort lies in know that our loved ones who have been ailing for some time and suffering are no longer enduring such a fate.
2015 was a year unlike any other. So much happened and this is probably one of the ways to describe it:
As I said to so many I spoke to in the past couple days, when 2015 began, we did not expect so much of what happened or for it to turn out the way it did. Our comfort lies in knowing that that our loved ones who have been ailing for some time and suffering are no longer enduring such a fate. We survived the year and all that it brought us, and we are stronger because we saw the year through in spite of what it presented us with.
Like everyone else experienced, the year was filled with prayer, laughter, smiles, tears, courage, faith, hope, gratitude, sadness and pain. Some were experienced more than others as expected. Whatever it brought we got through it both as a family and for our respective selves, rallying for each other along the way.
Apart from these experiences I can look at a few things in 2015 about me:
I am more confident about cooking. I not only cook more but I have more confidence about what I cook. Baking is also something I am better at. In 2016 I will be able to add to my list of things I bake and things I cook.
I have become better at clearing away clutter. Sometimes it’s just too much procrastination and needing to have the right mindset but it usually becomes easier once I get started.
I continue to establish myself as a writer and a blogger. This blog is my proof! 30 new posts were published in 2015. The busiest day of the year was March 25th 2015 which received 45 views. The most popular post on that day was the post dedicated to my grandpa, the late Mr Ramlal Dookie. Its title is Celebrating the life of my grandfather, the late Mr Ramlal Dookie!
I graduated with the Associate Degree in Journalism and Public Relations from COSTAATT’s Ken Gordon School of Journalism and Communication Studies.
With great company-that’s Shiva- I have been able to appreciate music and movies more. In saying this I refer specifically to the fact that he is a big fan of “The Voice“. I understand music more as well as the lyrical content. Also we appreciated not just the great acting and plot of “Bridge of Spies” and “Everest“, but also the fact that they were based on true events.
I realized that I am good at transcribing. I began transcribing in COMM 120 class – Critical Reading and Writing Skills for Journalism and Communication Majors- with Ms Michelle Mitchell. Outside of the class setting I have been able to do some professional transcription.
Ask yourself, in spite of how tough the year was, what did it teach you? Give yourself the credit you deserve because I am sure there is something from 2015 that makes you a better you! What is it?
Here are the trailers to “Bridge of Spies” and “Everest“:
Take life’s challenges one by one. Don’t give up! Always believe you can!
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,400 times in 2015. If it were a cable car, it would take about 23 trips to carry that many people.
Celebrating Existence 