Caribbean Literature: The Saving Work by Tiphanie Yanique

Virgin Islander Tiphanie Yanique published The Saving Work in 2007. This chapbook tells the story of the life of two families in the Virgin Islands.
Tiphanie Yanique is a young writer and poet who hails from the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). She wrote the chapbook The Saving Work and published it in 2007 with Kore Press Inc. Although The Saving Work is under twenty pages, the story keeps the reader drawn to it with its twists and the eventual climax. Yanique has been published in several writing journals and since publishing this chap book, she has published her first novel.

Tiphanie Yanique is Versed in Creative Writing

Tiphanie Yanique writes fiction and poetry. I first met her at an open mic in 2007 held by the Rock Collective in St. Thomas, USVI where she shared very inspiring poetry. She is currently an assistant professor who teaches creative writing courses at Drew University. Yanique has won several prestigious awards for her writing including the 2007 Kore Press Short Fiction Award, the Boston Review Fiction Prize in 2007 and the Pushcart Prize in 2007. She was also recently listed in the The National Book Foundation's"5 Under 35" Fiction, 2010.

According to the 'About the Author' section in The Saving Work, her work has been published in Callaloo , The London Magazine, the Cream City Review and many other publications. In 2010, Yanique published her first novel, How to Escape from a Leper Colony: A Novella and Stories.

The Saving Work Tells a Virgin Islands' Story

In six short chapters, The Saving Work tells the story of two families in St. Thomas, USVI. The story starts "A church is burning down." The two women who witness the burning church are both white American women, Diedre Thompson and Violet de Flaubert. They migrated to St. Thomas and married local black men and became a part of the community, especially in the church. Unfortunately, both women could not get along and as the story continues as the writer discusses a friendship between Diedre's son, Thomas and Violet's daughter, Jasmine.

Religion is a Central Theme in The Saving Work

Religion stands as an underlying theme of The Saving Work. With both Diedre and Violet being heavily involved in the church, they raised their children to have strong faith in religion. This faith impacts the decisions that all the characters make in the story - the sexual choices, marriage and passing judgment. Of course the reminder of the burning church also falls within the religious theme.

The Saving Work is a Great Piece of Creative Writing

As the story continues, the relationship between Thomas and Jasmine becomes complicated and the story gets more intense. As the writer delves into the complexities of the de Flaubert and Thompson families, the images of the burning church is replayed. The Saving Work speaks of love, shame, the want of prestige and of the way families communicate. While the ending can be considered sad, the twists in the story and the imagery keep the reader enthused. Just as the story begins with the burning church, the true reason why the church is burning is revealed in chapter six.

Tiphanie Yanique, the author of The Saving Work and How to Escape from a Leper Colony, has had her work published in several publications. The winner of the Tufts University Africana Prize for Creativity, Yanique's poetry and creative writing continue to be recognized and are inspiring readers worldwide.

Caribbean Literature: Tanti at de Oval by Paul Keens-Douglas

Legendary Trinidadian story-teller, Paul Keens-Douglas, expresses with lively recitation the tale of Tanti Merle's visit to a cricket game at the Oval.

Paul Keens-Douglas wrote the short story Tanti at de Oval to give the readers a colorful example of life in the Caribbean. Tanti at de Oval is about the writer's aunt, Tanti Merle, and her first visit to The Queen's Park Oval (the 'Oval') in Trinidad to watch an important cricket match between Trinidad and the Combined Islands. Tanti Merle is a colorful character who likes to be in control. Some Caribbean natives would describe her as 'liking her own way.'

Paul Keens-Douglas is a Playwright, Writer and Performer

Paul Keens-Douglas is a Trinidadian-born playwright, writer and performer whose voice is well known in the Caribbean. A writer for over thirty years, Keens-Douglas' narratives have aired on several radio stations. His stories offer engaging colloquial language, vivid imagery and relatable tales. Keens-Douglas is also a motivational speaker and recently in 2008 was the keynote speaker at the Virgin Islands' Humanities Council's 'Virgin Voices: A Literary and Spoken Word Festival' in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

A Caribbean Story: Tanti at de Oval

Tanti at de Oval is written in first person as the narrator tells the tale of Tanti Merle's antics from her preparation for the trip to the match to her behavior at the game. With the aid of colorful illustrations by Joan Camps- Campin, Keens-Douglas shares how Tanti Merle embarrassed herself and her companion at the Oval. Her antics include her large basket of goodies, her selection of a taxi bus and her loud cheering at the match. The story hits a climax as the match concludes and Tanti nearly caused a riot among the spectators. Keens-Douglas writes "Dat same Tanti Merle dat look as if butter can't melt in she mout. It take me 'bout two hours to get she out de Oval. She lose de basket an' de Parasol mash-up."

Caribbean Language & Life

Aspects of Caribbean life highlighted in Tanti at de Oval are the significance of cricket, the dialectal language and the camaraderie and rivalry fostered by local sports. In relation to the language, Tanti at de Oval is written in dialect but a glossary is provided to describe such terms as "jook out" which according to the writer means "to dig out with (a) sharp object."

Paul Keens-Douglas is a well-known Caribbean storyteller who uses rich dialect and colorful expression to tell his stories of Caribbean Life. Tanti at de Oval is one of his published works that narrates the tale of Tanti Merle's visit to a significant cricket match at the Oval in Trinidad. This book offers a delightful view of Caribbean life through Tanti Merle with heartening humor, intense expression, colorful language and colorful illustrations.

11 Tips for Washing Clothes at the Laundromat

If you do not have a washing machine at home, these helpful tips will help you to survive your trips to the laundromat. Being organized is key to getting this chore done.

Doing laundry is a chore that some people hate because it can be time consuming. It gets more difficult when there is no washing machine or dryer at home because this means either paying someone to complete the laundry, washing by hand or making that fated trip to the laundromat. There is no need to fear trips to the laundromat because the time it takes to wash, rinse and dry four loads of clothes simultaneously is less than the time it will take to wash two loads at home. Washing clothes at the laundry is not difficult but some planning is needed to ensure that the money and time spent are used wisely.

Plan Ahead for the Laundry Chore

• Tip 1 - Have coins or money set aside: If the laundromat has coin-operated machines, have a roll of quarters ready to walk with. If there is a change machine available, walk with a ten or twenty-dollar bill and exchange for quarters. Do keep in mind that change machines can malfunction.
• Tip 2 - Check detergent, bleach and softener levels: Do not wait until arriving at the laundromat to realize that the softener bottle is empty. A good habit is to check the levels after completing the laundry so that if any detergent, bleach or softener is needed, it can be added to the shopping list early.
• Tip 3 - Sort clothing at home: Sorting clothes at the laundry wastes time. Sort clothing at home into manageable loads that can fit in the washing machines of the laundromat. E-How.com in " How to Do Laundry " describes this simply by stating "to do laundry, first sort your dirty clothes, making separate piles for whites, bright colors and darks". A helpful hint is to put loads into pillow cases.

Helpful Hints for the Laundry Rush

• Tip 4 - Secure washing machines: Never walk into the laundromat empty-handed. Always walk with at least two loads of clothes and on arrival place them in available washers thus securing the use of the machines. One load of clothing can be spread to secure as many washers as needed.
• Tip 5 - Follow washing machine instructions: Instructions are given to ease processes. Most commercial washers have instructions on the inside of the lid. It is helpful to review the instructions to ensure that clothing is washed properly. It is important to add bleach and softener as directed to avoid damaging garments.
• Tip 6 - Be aware of temperature settings: Always check garment labels for the washing instructions so that while sorting, clothes are placed in the correct pile and are washed at the appropriate temperature setting to avoid shrinkage, bleeding or other damage. It is suggested that all white clothes are washed in hot water and you can add bleach if desired. Clothing with color should generally be washed in warm water, however, be sure to read the tag for washing directions."
• Tip 7 - Never leave clothing unattended: It is always best to stay at the laundromat while clothes are washing and drying. Leaving clothing in the machines wastes the other users' time and causes unnecessary work for the laundry attendants who have to remove the clothing and find places to store them.

Maximizing Your Time at the Laundromat

• Tip 8 - Walk with an activity to occupy downtime: Walk with a novel, textbook, newspaper, bible or a hand-held video game to keep occupied. Re-connect with family and friends by calling while using a hands-free device. There is no need to sit and be bored while the washers or dryers are spinning.
• Tip 9 - Sort clothing for the dryer too: If all the washing machines have completed the cycle, ligher clothing and sheets can be dried together and heavier items such as jeans and/or towels, depending on how many, can be dried together. The lighter clothing dry faster than the heavier ones and spare change and energy can be saved by doing this.
• Tip 10 - Walk with hangers: If the laundromat has carts with the hanging bar at the top, then walk with hangers to hang shirts, pants and skirts to ease ironing after.
• Tip 11 - Fold as much as possible: Folding clothes helps to save time with ironing. If there is limited space, fold as soon as is convenient at home as this will reduce creases.

Use these 11 tips to ease visits to the laundry. There is no need to be frustrated with this chore. Plan ahead, use the helpful hints for the busy times and maximize the time and money spent at the laundromat so that the washing, drying, hanging and folding are lighter tasks.

Making the Step Towards Success - Confidence

We often talk about success, as I did in yesterday's blog post. First you have to want it for yourself and you have to have confidence in yourself. It's easy to say it but building your confidence means overcoming personal hang-ups, bad history, gossip and negative friends. It means breaking bad habits as well.

I know what I want to achieve and I have to find a way to get it. I don't want a lot. I just want to make a difference in the public service that I work in and in my community. Therefore, I have to lead by example and I have to encourage others. Unlike many people, I did not have a life plan set out. I look for opportunities and I run with them. I won't say that I have made the best decisions overall, but I have been able to find positive in every thing - even in what could be perceived negative.

Finding confidence to take that step is not easy. Sometimes people see your potential and push you. I like to encourage people when I see that they have the ability. Why not? I've had positive people on my side and I am grateful for the opportunities granted to me. I hope that I may be a positive influence on the persons who come in contact with me. I hope that I can inspire confidence in them.

Ribbon

Success Mindset

To be successful, we have to shift our attitudes to a success mindset. We can not expect to do well while walking with petty behaviors, hang-ups and beefs. As I look at different places in the BVI and the service that is offered, I am proud and also ashamed. We definitely have a gap somewhere because too many act like they are entitled to work and therefore, they can do any old thing and it is okay. On the other hand, there are some people who give it their best by giving good service. As a consumer, that is what I want from every supplier or service provider. I don't have time or money to waste.

Therefore, what I expect is what I should give in my workplace. I have to serve my internal and external customers well. I enjoy that and I love knowing that I can accomplish something that is challenging.

I challenge any reader to evaluate themselves and what they expect from others - and what they need to give in return. Many of us need to change our mindset and be more productive. We also need to look for personal development, but this is another post by itself.

Do your best at all times.

Ribbon

On to 2017 - these passions and loves

We are at the start of a new year. Therefore, there are new possibilities, new knowledge to be shared and learned, and new ideas to be born. I am hoping to achieve another academic qualification soon, and looking forward to getting back into my writing.

I have few passions and lots of loves. I am passionate about my children's academic progress. I have been blessed to achieve higher education and I would like to enable them to do the same. Professionally, I would like to continue to learn from the senior team that I work with because they have lots of knowledge. I am continuously looking for opportunities for growth and in 2015/2016, I was able to blossom in an area that I never imagined that I would be able to.

In terms of my writing, I want to grow my repertoire and get back into writing for a publication. I love music and while I am not that much of a singer, I want to enjoy music and dance to my heart's content.

I was able to visit one of our most popular national parks this week, and I want to do more visits and adventures. I have no excuse not to enjoy the simple things.

I encourage you to enjoy your passions and your loves - delve into your soul, build your confidence and do what you love.

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How to Prepare a Vote of Thanks and Deliver with Confidence

Being asked to deliver the vote of thanks at any event can be daunting. People are asked to deliver votes of thanks after ceremonies, services and special events. However, as with any speech,

preparation and practice are important. Organizing the thought process, writing with the audience in mind and rehearsing before the event are helpful tools that will make delivering a vote of thanks much easier. 

Writing the Vote of Thanks

It is important to consider the type event that is being held. The vote of thanks should coincide with the activity being held and must express gratitude to the different stakeholders involved. As the vote of thanks is usually one of the last items on an event program, the vote of thanks should not be too long but should be creative.

• Be aware of the audience: A key rule in public speaking is knowing the audience. Therefore, be mindful of ages, religious views and other factors that could affect content. For example, in the Virgin Islands, which is predominantly Christian, speakers usually begin by thanking God and this practice is accepted and actually expected by the community.
• Use your thesaurus: There is no need to try to impress the listeners with big words. Use the dictionary and thesaurus for synonyms that still provide for an eloquent presentation and are easy to understand.
• Make a list: Have the coordinator of the event provide a list of the persons who contributed to the success of event. As it is impossible to thank everyone who assists with an event, be sure to add thanks to 'anyone who may have been inadvertently omitted'.
• Add a scripture, quote or a poem: A relevant scripture, quote or a poem can add flair to the vote of thanks. Adding these pieces shows that time was spent preparing the speech. Search on the internet for quotes or poems that coincide with the event.
• Be creative: The writer should employ as many creative elements to make the speech interesting. For example, saying 'Thank you to Mary and John who donated the passion fruit juice' is flat. A better option is 'Our palettes today have been quenched by the hard work by Mary and John who made that refreshing passion fruit juice'. A joke of good taste can also be added.

Delivering the Vote of Thanks

Taking the time to prepare a well-written vote of thanks makes for an easier delivery of the speech. Be sure to practice the vote of thanks so that the delivery is smooth and flowing. Rehearse in front of the mirror or in front of family members to gain confidence. Try to vary pitch and tone so that the speech sounds interesting and engages the listeners. According to Carol Rzadkiewicz, she encourages speakers to "vary the rate and pace by speaking faster, for example, to convey excitement (or) happiness". 

There is no need to be fearful when asked to prepare a vote of thanks. Add creativity with a scripture, joke, poem or quote to enhance the speech. Be sure to make a list of the persons to be thanked and be aware of the audience. Practice the vote of thanks before the event to ensure that the delivery will capture the audience's attention.