Joy Hopper

And Still More Trini Talk

2010-01-23T17:56:00.000-08:00

slow down the music = turn down the music
slow/turn down the light = turn the light lower/off
leaking = sweating
monkey marrieden = when there's rain & sunshine at the same time
feel to = feel like
we gone to come back = we'll be right back
drop out (of the car) = get out of the car
kicking = smelling strongly

cream = lotion

making a baby = pregnant

bitter = hot (as in hot pepper)

Jersey = T-shirt

way sa = ask Aaron

come better = beat that

out in their large numbers = alot of them

hardened = stubborn

lock off = turn off (the gas, the water, etc.)

out the fire = dowse the fire

chupid = stupid

handle his/her stories = able to take care of themselves

Kaiser ball = jaw-breaker

racks = clothes hangers

nursing home = a private hospital

home for the aged = nursing home or group home for elderly

flims = films

scrumbs/jitters = crumbs

give a right = to wave

commesse = confusion

bad skylark = a practical joke

bentweedle = to cause indescribable discomfort

blockorama = block party

districker = homeboy

gramoxone = a weedicide commonly used for poisoning and suicide

gru gru bef = a tropical fruit

gun mouth pants = tapered pants

leggo ah steups = to suck one's teeth in disgust

maga = thin/emaciated

malspriggle = to put in complete disarray

mamaguy = to try to fool or flatter

rab = fuss, confusion

ramajayin' = talking ab lib or dancing

parlour = a small shop, mostly sells snacks and phone cards

wap swap = a noisy exchange of checker pieces

watch yuh scotch = be careful about what you are doing

wuk = stomach gripe/ache

belly gripe = diarrhea

x to board = travelling at full speed

xante = show off

yootmen = young men

zebapique = tea for stomach pains

Simply Amazing

2010-01-23T17:38:00.000-08:00

Lisa & Declan - this one's for you:).

Simply Amazing by Terence Hart from Heart of Gold
Terry is a friend of a friend here in Trinidad

That a stone would sink and a ship could sail
To Hubbard's glacier between the whales
That the sun and the moon and the starry skies
Would make way for the eagle as she flies
Where fjords beckon and rainbows dare
Exist in such an atmosphere
Where rivers are frozen and the wind blows cold
And nature confirms what has oft' been told
That sunset and dawn would almost kiss
On a summer night of endless bliss

Welcome to Alaska, home of the jade
And the bear and the salmon and the ulu-blade
Where dog sleds ride and totem-poles stand still
Testifying in a whisper of the craftsman's skill
Where the aurora lives and the green leaves die
And creation's wonders are magnified
Where cruise ships line each port of call
It's the most majestic cruise of all
All these things you would see and more
It's wonderful to travel, it's a chance to explore

Now imagine a world where people are free
To traverse new frontiers without fear of the sea
Without fear of the skies, without fear of man
Where each one gives one a helping hand
Surely you would love to have a seat then
And ride for eternity with your dearest friend
On a ship that could sail where the stone surely sinks
Far out in the ocean where everyone thinks
About life and it's purpose and what God has in mind
Maybe through such thinking, the Truth you will find
And with joy and with wonderment you would look up and say
"It's simply amazing just to be here today!"

Trinis Love Their Holidays!

2008-10-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

2008
1 Jan New Year's Day
4-5 Feb Carnival
31 Mar Spiritual Baptist Shouters' Liberation Day
21 Mar Good Friday
24 Mar Easter Monday
22 May Corpus Christi
30 May Indian Arrival Day
19 Jun Labour Day
1 Aug Emancipation Day
31 Aug Independence Day
24 Sep Republic Day
2 Oct Eid ul Fitr
28 Oct Divali
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day
23-24 Feb Carnival
30 Mar Spiritual Baptist Shouters' Liberation Day
10 Apr Good Friday
13 Apr Easter Monday
30 May Indian Arrival Day
11 Jun Corpus Christi
19 Jun Labour Day
1 Aug Emancipation Day
31 Aug Independence Day
21 Sep Eid ul Fitr
24 Sep Republic Day
18 Oct Divali
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

Holiday Notes

At the discretion of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, any other date may also be declared a public holiday.
Good Friday and Easter Monday are observed as public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago. However since they are determined by the Christian calendar, the date for each public holiday varies from year to year.
The Muslim festival of Eid–ul–Fitr and the Hindu Festival of Divali are observed as public holidays in Trinidad and Tobago. However, since they are determined by the respective Muslim and Hindu religious organisations, the calendar date for each public holiday varies from year to year. These dates are usually announced one to two weeks prior to their observance each year. Hindu holidays are declared according to local astronomical observations and variations may occur. Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations.
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be observed on the Monday immediately following. When two public holidays fall on the same day, the following day is also given as a public holiday.
Most businesses are closed on Carnival Monday and Tuesday, even though these days are not public holidays.

For more information on a specific holiday, go to http://www.gov.tt/ and click on "Events & Holidays".

In Remembrance of Grandma

2008-10-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

In Trinidad, people often hold a memorial service one year after the death and funeral of a loved one. It is a time for friends and family to remember their loved one once more and to comfort each other at that crucial one-year mark. It will soon be a year since my last living grandparent, Ruth Goodman, passed away, and in memory of her I want to share with you the letter I sent to be shared at her funeral last year.

Anna Ruth Whitmore Goodman
April 8, 1912 – October 22, 2007

Just after I received the news of grandma’s passing, I was riding in a car with my husband’s cousin Esha whose grandmother's funeral Andrew and I assisted with last Christmas. She understood the mixed feelings of sadness at not having grandma with us anymore but gladness that she is free from pain and tears and now rejoicing with her heavenly Father and reunited with so many loved ones who have gone before her. I started to share some things about who grandma was and Esha began to understand me a little better. Just the day before Esha had commented that I have a lot of books (which is unusual in the tropics as they don’t last very long in this climate). As I shared that grandma was a librarian at one time, it suddenly made sense to both to us where some of that love for books comes from. Although she had no formal training, some of grandma’s books were even on theology. Grandma was a committed Christian her entire life and enjoyed both studying and serving Christ. She loved the bible studies at church and loved to share little tidbits from Barclay’s commentary. She was one of the faithful few in her church who counted the church offering every Monday and delivered food baskets to the elderly (even when those elderly were actually younger than her). Grandma wasn’t a big cook, but she made amazing fresh bread and sticky buns to die for. I believe man really could live on her bread alone:).

Grandma faithfully wrote to her children and grandchildren until her late 80’s when she couldn’t see or write anymore. She would write about the weather, the local news, and relatives. She often included a newspaper clipping of something she thought you might be interested in and coupons for the groceries you liked to shop for. Grandma taught us all how to be wise stewards of our money – even how to be thrifty. She lived by the motto “reduce, recycle, reuse” before they even invented it. She had lived through the depression of the 30’s and she knew how to stretch a dollar and continued to do so throughout her life. She taught us the difference between wants and needs and which things you would be wiser to spend a little more on for quality sake. While thrifty with herself, she was generous with others. She was generous with her time, her money, and her love. Grandma knew people (lots of them!) and could tell you their names, who they were related to, and interesting little facts about them 50 years after she’d met them. Grandma was never famous, but she was incredibly faithful.

Grandma was both smart and educated. Her parents had valued giving their daughters an education beyond high school in an era where that was not yet common and that value carried through to all of her children and grandchildren, many of whom hold masters degrees now. Grandma kept her mind sharp with her daily New York Times crossword puzzles until she could no longer see to do them. She loved music and the arts and flowers as well and taught us to appreciate and value them. For years I had a peony bush in my yard that had been passed down from grandma’s grandmother. What a legacy! The last two years of grandma’s life became increasingly difficult as she lost pretty much all ability to communicate with others, but she would still perk up when you sang to her and would try to tell you she loved you. We love you too grandma and we’ll miss you!

Wish I could be with everyone to honor you today; my love is with you all. Lisa

Out of Touch

2008-08-05T13:02:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's been so long! Just after my last post (in February), dear friends Brenda Zenk & Scott Stover arrived for a visit. Yes, I cried when they left. Scott made a name for himself by eating raw congo peppers at a "cook" hosted by some friends in honor of the Caribbean 20-20 Cricket Finals (Trinidad won!) while Brenda and I had a nice long chat about matters of the heart (I really miss those). Our time together flew by and before we knew it they were headed back home to Nicole (their daughter) in FL.

Just after they left, my Dad and his wife Janice came for a visit. I cried when they left too. They got to experience Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Pentecostal-style and we all thoroughly enjoyed touring Trinidad & Tobago together.

Just after they left, someone "thiefed" (that's Trini for stole) the telephone cable in our area (for the copper in it) and we were without a home phone and internet service for the next 6 weeks. We got by on our cell phones, but missed a few important phone calls and emails. It certainly reminded us how dependent we've become! In the midst of that, I had my first residency interview, which went just fine (thanks for all the prayers). I am good to stay in Trinidad until my next interview (sometime in spring 2009). Apparently permanent residency usually takes 3 years, but we're praying to get through in 1 year. Always dream big:).

Next we took the old roof off our house and put a new one on. We had one night without a roof at all and praise God it didn't rain. Then we had a week with a 1 ft section missing down the east side of the house; it only rained hard for about 10 minutes one night that week. The kitchen cupboard got a little wet, but everything survived pretty well in the end. We are SO thankful for the incredible crew of volunteers who worked on the house and on the food to feed the people who worked on the house. It was really a fun project.

We took a short break to celebrate our first wedding anniversary and my birthday in Tobago for a couple glorious days. Then our new windows (for the upstairs) arrived and we jumped back into house-project mode, knocking out the old louvre windows (half of which were broken or rusted shut) and installing burglar-proof windows with tinted glass that can be shut tight enough to make air-conditioning some of the rooms feasible in the future. And the biggest bonus of all, since the new roof and windows we are now bat and wasp-free!

In the midst of the windows, Andrew's brother Clint's wife Lydia and daughters Kimberly and Kaylee arrived for a visit. It was wonderful to finally meet them all and we did manage to sneak away one day to Manzanilla beach with them. They are a joy.

So when I left Aug 4 for NY to help my sister Sherry with her wedding, the house was full of dust and people and laughter and I'm looking forward to returning the end of the month to more new adventures.

MN folks, I'll be in town briefly and am hosting a grill out & games at my Dad's house in Mtka from 3-9pm on Sunday, Aug 24. All are welcome - please pass the word around and RSVP to me at lisa_sinanan@yahoo.com.

Traveling in Trinidad

2008-02-15T21:01:00.000-08:00

Lower class families in Trinidad don't own cars. They mostly travel around in taxis which are cars of all shapes and sizes that are designated as taxis by the "H" (for "hire") in their license plates or in small to medium size vans or buses or large to double-sized buses. There used to be a train that ran through the major cities in Trinidad years ago and there's talk that may be resurrected again as well. In general, public transportation is readily available and not very expensive ($1US for a 15 minute drive). Maxi taxis can be rented for 10-20 person groups for reasonable prices for day trips.

Middle class families generally own one car per family which the father drives. Upper class families generally own two or more vehicles. Cars are designated as "passenger" vehicles by a "P" at the beginning of their license plate number. Trucks and anything used to "transport" materials are designated with a "T" at the beginning of their license plate number. The license plate number issued with the car stays with the car for life unless the driver changes the vehicle from a "P" to an "H" or vice versa. So in general, you can tell the age of the car by looking at the license plate number! They started the system sometime in the '70's or so with PA 1, PA 2, and so on. Now they're up to PCX 9999 or so. Many vehicles have vinyl lettering on the windshields with (sometimes cryptic) sayings such as "Blessed", "Wicked", or one of my favorites - "Papa Smurf".

Used vehicles and used parts are big business in Trinidad; big enough business that the government actually banned the purchase of foreign used vehicles last week to try to boost the national used vehicle industry and to slow the number of vehicles being brought onto the island. Volume of traffic and number of accidents is a frequent topic of conversation.

Police cars drive with their lights flashing all the time. You only need to pull over if their sirens are going. People pass police cars all the time here; speed limits are somewhat relative. However, police do at times set speed traps and nice motorists will warn on-coming cars of a trap by flashing their lights. Police also occassionally randomly block off streets or highways to check vehicles for proper tinting (not too dark), broken lights, insurance info, etc.

Roads are windy, narrow, and full of potholes and live or dead dogs; video-game drivers would love it!

More Trini Talk

2008-02-15T20:29:00.000-08:00

dhall= split peas
bonnet= hood of car
windscreen = windshield of car
"A pleasant good morning/evening" = hello
Solo/AppleJ/Peardrax/Peppy/Malta= soft drinks
sweet drink = soft drink
maubi = a drink that's like a cross between tea and licorice
sorrel = a drink that's like rose hip tea with cinnamon and cloves
spice = cinnamon sticks
American rice = rice with peas and corn in it (who would have guessed?)
injections = shots
plaster = bandaids
tablets = pills
"How you going?" = How are you doing? or How are you?
half eight = eight thirty
half seven = seven thirty (you get the idea...)
fig = banana
"skews" = excuse me
pssst = hey you
creamed potatos = mashed potatos
mash the breaks = hit/slam the breaks
mash the X = hit the gas (accelerator)
indicator = turn signal
mash up/bonx = hit/accident
kill it = finish (eating or drinking) the last of it
oats = oatmeal
van = pick-up truck
truck = any other large vehicle
naked lights = broken head or tail lights
maxi (taxi) = small bus
kit = tupperware
"laters" = see you later
"we're making a move" = we're leaving now
channa = garbanzo beans
geera = caraway seeds
mathe (pronounced "may-ti") = foengreek
PriceSmart = Sam's Club (to a T)
truly? = really?
sweet bread = biscuit type bread with candied fruits and raisins in it
dark/rum cake = fruit cake
paste = any spread (like cheese or egg)
thiefing = stealing
wares = dishes
pack up/away = put away (dishes or clothes)
cooken = crisco
slippers = flip flops
we = us
washroom = bathroom
mangrove = cyprus
black/blood pudding = sausage
biscuit = cookie
junction = intersection
heater = iron
got onto = was able to get ahold of

Clothing in Trinidad

2008-02-15T20:08:00.000-08:00

Here's a few tips for the travelers:

As in most countries, you'll find everything in Trinidad from Shouter Baptist robes to string bikinis. For the modest and sun-conscious traveler, here's some general guidelines:

Men
1) In public, long pants and short or long sleeve shirts are acceptable. T-shirts and slippers (flip flops) are fine unless it's a dressier occassion (church or a nice restaurant). Shorts are fine on the beach.
2) In your home, shorts and t-shirts and slippers are fine. Still might want to avoid tank tops or going shirtless if visitors are around.

Women
1) In public, below the knee skirts or 3/4 pants or long pants and short or long sleeve shirts are acceptable. T-shirts and slippers (flip flops) are fine unless it's a dressier occassion (church or a nice restaurant). Shorts are acceptable on the beach (shorts and T-shirt should be worn over swim suit at all times - even when bathing/swimming).
2) In your home, t-shirts and slippers are fine. Still might want to avoid shorts and tank tops and sleeveless shirts/dresses if visitors are around.

Church Wear
In our church (Pentecostal Holiness), here's the general guidelines:
1) Men - long pants and long sleeve shirts and dress shoes for Sunday (err on the dressier side). Long pants (jeans OK), short (T-shirts OK) or long sleeve shirts and any shoes are acceptable for Wednesday night Bible study. No shorts or tank tops.
2) Women - long skirts or dresses and dress shoes for Sunday (err on the dressier side); nothing sleeveless or clingy. Long skirts or pants (jeans sort of OK) or dresses, short (T-shirts OK) or long sleeve shirts and any shoes are acceptable for Wednesday night Bible study. No shorts or tank tops or sleeveless dresses.

Oops!

2008-02-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

On December 12, I (alone) was reversing (backing) out of our driveway onto the busy main road when the car was hit by a large panel truck. The car spun 180 degrees and ended up with the back bumper in the drain. By the incredible grace and protection of God, I walked out of the accident without a scratch. Our car was not so lucky...

Fortunately, Andrew's cousin Neal does car body work. He worked day and night to get the car back to a driveable state in time for Christmas. When you fix a car in Trinidad, you are responsible for locating and delivering all the parts (and the vehicle) to the mechanic - which is often a bit of a feat as most families only own one car AND most mechanics specialize in one or two elements (air conditioning, body work, alignment, tires, carborators, etc). Andrew's brother Clint was a big help to us in driving Andrew around to find parts. We're still fixing this and that, but it's getting us around, for which we're incredibly grateful!

Needless to say, I haven't done much driving since the accident. If I want to get a Trinidad license before my US license expires, however, I'll need to pass their driver's test by March 7. Please pray I'll be able to take it and pass!

Legal in Trinidad

2008-02-15T19:40:00.000-08:00

1. Driving with an open bottle of alcohol in your vehicle; drunk-driving. If you drive badly, however, you'll be charged with reckless driving.
2. Burning trash in your yard.

more to come...

Illegal in Trinidad

2008-02-15T19:32:00.000-08:00

1. Wearing anything in camaflouge print (or any clothing that resembles official police or national security force duds).
2. Making a right on red (which you really wouldn't want to do when driving on the left). ALSO, making a left on red (wait for that green arrow!).
3. Changing lanes inside a round-about. Plan ahead: if you want to go more than a quarter turn around, enter the round-about from the right-hand lane.

more to come...

Dreaming of a T&T Vacation?

2007-11-23T17:47:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple websites that might be helpful to you:

In Trinidad:
www.visittnt.com
www.trintours.com
www.caribbeandiscoverytours.com
www.tntisland.com (ferry boat info)

In Tobago:
www.mytobago.info
www.visittobago.gov.tt

Election Results

2007-11-23T17:06:00.000-08:00

PNM won 26 of the 41 seats and therefore Patrick Manning is once again the Prime Minister of Trinidad. Shortly after winning, he said "we flogged them in the north, we flogged them in the south, we flogged them in the east, and we flogged them in the west!" referring to the fact that they had won all but the centrally located constituencies. That statement became instantly famous and is now mimicked in much other rhetoric around the country (including sermons:)). I imagine we'll hear for years to come. For more on the elections, check out this Trinidad newspaper article: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161228884

T&T Politics

2007-10-28T18:55:00.000-07:00

Elections are set for Nov 5 this year and things are really heating up! For the past 20 years or so, it's been a two party competition with the same two leaders at the helm. Patrick Manning leads the PNM (People's National Movement) which is currently in power and Basdeo Panday leads the UNC (United National Congress) which has been in power in the past (I gather both leaders have had around 10 years in office). This year, a third part has emerged led by Winston Dookeran called COP (Congress of the People) which is certainly mixing things up a bit. PNM has traditionally been a mainly west african party and Manning is a professed Christian. UNC has traditionally been a mainly east indian party and Panday is a Hindu. COP is a split off from UNC and has strived to be an ethnic mix of candidates (not sure about religious mix - could be christian, hindu or muslim). There are 41 seats in parliament and the party that wins the most seat gets to put their leader into the prime minister position. Elections are required to be held sometime between years 4 and 6 (I think) and are announced by the ruling party after the yearly budget is printed in the paper (which happens sometime in the fall). Once an election year is declared, the ruling party must announce an election date for sometime in the next 60 days. So campaigning occurs fast and furiously. Needless to say, newspapers are selling well right now and everyone has an opinion. Please pray with us that good people would be elected to those 41 seats and would lead this country well. Joke for the day: A man from New York City died and when he arrived before God, God asked him where he wanted to spend eternity - heaven or hell. The man said he'd like to get a look at both before he made his decision. God agreed. The man took a look around heaven and saw people and angels fellowshipping with each other and worshipping God. It seemed kind of boring to him. So, he took a look around hell and saw acres of golf tees on gorgeous green grass, bountiful gourmet food, and beautiful women everywhere. He told God "I'll take hell!" So God sent him there. When he got there, he found lakes of fire, selfish people and scary demons. He went back to God upset and said "what happened to the beautiful golf courses and food and women in hell?" God said, "oh that - they were campaigning".

Trini Talk

2007-08-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

Here is some Trinidad vocabulary, should you ever find yourself needing it:

we reach = we got there or we're here
hot it = warm it up in the mocrowave or on the stove
the dog is dead = give it up
landslip = landslide
hump = bump (in the road)
kill it = finish it (as in eat the rest of it or drink the rest of it)
plenty plenty = a lot
make a cook = cook for a bunch of people (usually together with others)
accustomed = used to
paining = hurts/hurting
making a move = we're leaving now
just now = wait a minute/hold on
truly = really
balenah = rolling pin
aloo = potato
zabaco = avacado
chadon beni = an herb that tastes like cilantro (although it looks more like a fuzzy mint leaf)
zebra crossing = school crossing sign
windscreen = windshield
chive = chive, but it's pronounced sive

News from Lisa & Andrew

2007-08-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

Here's the general news from Lisa & Andrew:

First of all, we're loving each other and loving married life:). After the wedding in the states, too little honeymoon (isn't that always the case?), travelling to visit relatives & friends who couldn't make the wedding and finally arriving in Trinidad, we've hit the ground running. Each week consists of 2-3 home meetings or Thanksgivings held in people's homes. Home meetings are simply a chance to gather to worship together, listen to a brief sharing from the bible, and pray for the people present. Thanksgivings are in honor of a birthday, a child dedication, a new job or any other reason one wants to celebrate. Both occassions are places where family, friends, and neighbors are invited and there is often an opportunity to share the gospel to a few for the first time. Home meetings often culminate in a small refreshment (a garlic/cheese spread on white bread sandwhich and some "sweet drink"), while Thanksgivings always entail a full meal (roti, stewed and curried meats, potato salad, macaroni pie, fried rice, chocolate or pound cake, and sweet drink). Needless to say, we both put on a few pounds in the last 2 months!

Andrew has preached a couple sermons, he has 4 other associate pastors he works with who've preached, and I got to preach my first real sermon Aug 5 (thanks to those who prayed - it was well received!). We have the CD machine that Andrew purchased last fall working, so we actually have CDs of the last 3 sermons. I've also started playing keyboards in the worship on Sunday mornings. I'm quite rusty, but it has been fun to get back into it. 2 weeks ago, worship was so sweet that we just ended up skipping the sermon altogether! I enjoy that kind of freedom within a service:). I am still learning how to be a pentacostal, but all in all it's going well.

The toughest part of marriage for me is the cooking. Andrew is used to chunks of meat (bacon and hamburger don't cut it) for breakfast, lunch AND dinner and I maybe used to eat meat like that once a week. He wasn't real keen on left-overs either, but he's learning to love them and is being quite patient and encouraging with me as I figure out how to shop in the stores here and how to cook with a propane gas stove. Last week I was laid up for a couple days with a nasty wasp sting on my left heal and Andrew made a quite tasty baked chicken that we both agreed we loved. So, we're not starving:).

Auntie Jean returned from the Cayman Islands a couple weeks ago where she was caring for her new grand-daughter for several months. This week, she made a mosquito net for our new bed (the old net didn't fit it) and the last 2 nights have been great sleeps:). Andrew killed 2 of John & Jean's chickens for them yesterday morning so they can use them for a family gathering we're having on Saturday night. I debated watching the kill and decided I just couldn't do it yet. Someday perhaps I'll be able to do it if I have to. I really enjoy Auntie Jean and am sad that she'll be leaving again in 2 weeks to take care of Sadie through January. I'll really miss her.

Andrew's mom Dulcie is in Florida right now taking care of Andrew's brother Clint's daughters, Kimberly & Kaylee. Dulcie should be returning to Trinidad in October or so and I'm looking forward to seeing her again too. We see Merle and Uncle Daddy and Auntie Baby and many other friends and family fairly often, although at the time we're a one-car family so travel is somewhat limited. Mostly Andrew and I are just enjoying spending time with each other:).

That's most of the news from Trinidad! Would love to hear from you:).

Time & Temperature

2007-08-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

Time in Trinidad is a somewhat relative term. Most US to Trinidad flights land about an hour after they're scheduled to. If you have an appointment with an important person, you better be on time but be prepared to wait 1-3 hours to see them anyway (bring a book!). If you're officiating a wedding, you can arrive about 10 minutes before the wedding is scheduled to start because it probaby won't start for another hour. If the elecricity goes out, "not often" means it might happen once a month and "not for long" means it might be out anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 days. If the water pressure drops at our house, "not often" means once a week in rainy season (Jun - Dec) and once a month in dry season and "not long" means 1-3 days. Although this means we have no water upstairs, we thankfully still get enough of a trickle downstairs at all times to do dishes and take a shower. Phew! While time is a bit looser than in America, on the whole Trinidad does manage to keep to a schedule, so it's rather dangerous to assume that anything in particular will run late.

The temperature is always between 23 Celsius (70 Fahrenheit) at night and 32 Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) in the day. Weather forcasts therefore don't really bother telling you the temperature (although it's printed in the national paper - Trinidad and Tobago Newsday). They're more likely to tell you about the weather approaching. I'm still a bit fuzzy on these, but I think it goes like this:

Rain - means rain:)
Tropical disturbance - means winds are picking up
Tropical wave - means there's a pattern developing
Tropical storm - something like our severe thunderstorm warning
Hurricane - run for cover

Sticking the Cake

2007-08-10T11:01:00.000-07:00

More commonly known as "cutting the cake" in America. Yes, they stuff it in each other's faces too. The cakes here are more moist and the frosting is softer and far less sugary (more like a whipped cream frosting). If even served in public, it's always served in very small slivers. Even in small pieces, they weren't sure they could feed 200 with this cake, so they simply sent it home with Andrew and I. Since Andrew doesn't eat sweets, it was up to me to make my best effort. Thankfully, friends and family came by to "lime" (hang out) that week and we shared it around. I finally finished the last piece 3 weeks later. Yum:).

Reception - Sitting in the Swing:)

2007-08-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

One of many toasts...

July 7, 2007 - Trinidad Reception

2007-08-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

We arrived "home" on June 29, Andrew led a wake service for his cousin Asha (38 years old - died of a lung clot) on June 30, preached in service July 1 (which was also Lisa's birthday), and then started planning the Trinidad reception in earnest. It all came together beautifully with a little loaves and fishes food miracle as 100 stretched closer to 200 friends and family in attendance. It was pretty much a Trinidad wedding minus the vows. Andrew & I dressed at home and were driven to the church with a procession of cars following us. When we arrived, we processed in to Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring and were seated on the lovely swing (do you even recognize it?) my mom had given us. Decorations were the standard lights, silk flowers, tulle, and a banner (we skipped the balloons). the reception was emceed by Shah Mohammed, a pastor friend of Andrew's who's working with our church now. There were "specials" (vocal solos), worship songs, toasts (with more peardrax), sticking of the cake, and a full meal of roti, stew chicken, pumpkin, salad, and "mother-in-law" (a spicy hot pepper relish). The swing was quite a hit with couples who lined up after the meal to get their pictures taken in it. Everyone had a wonderful time:).

June 8, 2007

2007-08-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

Before God and a whole bunch of other people, Lisa Marie Brinkman and Andrew Sinanan were united in marriage on this date. We want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who contributed time, money, expertise, love, and simply their presence and/or prayers. It was a fabulous day and we love you all!

Lisa & Andrew

Wedding Pictures!

2007-08-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Yes, the wedding pictures are finally online! You can view and order pictures at http://www.weddingimagesonline.com/ until Sept 10, 2007.

4x6 for $3
5x7 for $6
8x10 for $12
16x20 for $45
8 wallets for $8

Special thanks to Paul Fletcher for taking such great pictures! psfphotography@usfamily.net

Airplane Rainbow

2007-08-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

Farewell Rainbow

2007-08-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

Ridgedale Rainbow

2007-08-02T11:48:00.001-07:00

Trinidad Rainbow

2007-08-02T11:32:00.001-07:00

Happy Hills Rainbow in Trinidad. The first of many!

Covenant

2007-08-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Here goes my first post as Lisa Sinanan from Williamsville, Trinidad! Rainbows have been liberally sprinkled throughout our relationship and as Andrew preached on Noah a couple weeks ago, I was once again reminded of the significance of this covenant. It was God's promise that He would not flood the earth again as He had in the past. On a personal note, it is a reminder to me that God will not flood me with more than I can handle with Him. I may need a big boat, but I'll get through:). The first rainbow appeared at Happy Hills farm in Trinidad last August where I sat sipping coconut water while Andrew played All Fours with the guys and we smiled at each other as much as we dared. (Sidenote: my nephew Noah was then born in November:)). The next rainbow appeared on Christmas morning as Andrew, his mom Dulcie, Aunt Jean & Uncle John & I drove to church about 6:30am. It was a huge patch of clouds with a little hole in it where the rainbow showed through. The next rainbow appeared as Andrew & I were driving home from the beautiful south offfices wedding shower - it was so huge, I had to stop and take pictures in the Ridgedale parking lot! The most spectacular rainbow appeared on the night of our Farewell Party at Victory/Memorial (can't remember the name) Park in Richfield where there was a HUGE double and occassionally triple rainbow! The windy weather was well worth the rainbow. The most recent rainbow was seen from the airplane on our trip "home" to Trinidad - a circle rainbow! What an extravagently loving God we serve:).

True Loving Community

2006-03-09T18:24:00.000-08:00

Well, we've tried everything to "create" communities in our American culture. We've tried inspiring it, rewarding it, enforcing it, programming it, marrying into it, initiating into it, inclusivity, exclusivity, similarities, differences - you name it, we've tried it. When it comes right down to it, the truest most loving community I ever experience is always in the presence of a person (or people) who are doing their best to truly love God and truly love others. True common-unity is never a goal that can be attained in and of itself (it's like chasing after the wind), but is instead a by-product of true love.

Woohoo!!!

2006-02-20T19:49:00.000-08:00

Here it is, my first picture post! As I said previously, the ministry of eating...
(Jan, Terry and I).

Tango Lesson #1: Walking

2006-02-18T21:38:00.000-08:00

Stand straight...head up, shoulders square, knees slightly bent. Keep your feet grounded at all times...heel first as you step. Listen and feel the music as you walk and learn to move with it.

Dancing With God

2006-02-18T17:51:00.000-08:00

Having finished three years of seminary during which I did a LOT of sitting and thinking, it was time for me to get up and MOVE. Although my only formal training consists of some tap and ballet sometime before I was 9, I've always loved dance in every possible form and determined never to let the fear of looking foolish to ever stop me from enjoying it. So when Tango, and more recently Salsa, came along as opportunities, I jumped in with both feet. For me, I sensed there was MUCH God wanted to teach me about leading and following, initiating and responding, giving and receiving, doing and being through these dances. And indeed, He is:).

The Trip

2006-02-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

(context: my mom and I drove from MN to RI and back again between Jan 29-Feb 12)

Since it may be awhile before I'm actually able to execute posting a picture, allow me to give you a word picture my mom sent to me in an email on 4/3/03 (cleaning out old emails is somewhere down around 2,534 on my priority list)...

I happened to be thinking this morning about how much Jesus evidently enjoyed some of the good and legitimate pleasures of earth, especially eating. We used to tease in my family about vacation photos that showed 'here we are eating lunch at...' followed by 'and here is where we ate supper ... ' - and i compared that to the frequency with which the new testament writers provided verbal snapshots of meals.
Then I imagined Jesus reporting back to God after the resurrection, and mostly they talked soul business, of course, but after awhile God asked "so what did you do that was fun while you were there?" - and Jesus being thoughtful for a minute before he smiled and burst out "those picnics at the lake! We totally relaxed there, and the guys always had these really fresh fish to cook up...oh, Pop, they were so awesome!
...and I imagined them planning the little fish fry that surprised the disciples...

Yep, that pretty much sums up the trip physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Standing At the Pool of Bethesda

2006-01-14T21:05:00.000-08:00

Change by Tracy Chapman
If you knew that you would die today
Saw the face of god and love
Would you change? Would you change?
If you knew that love can break your heart
When you're down so low that you cannot fall
Would you change? Would you change?
How bad, how good, does it need to get?
How many losses? how much regret?
What chain reaction would cause an effect?
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget,
Makes you change
Makes you change
If you knew that you would be alone
Knowing right, being wrong,
Would you change? Would you change?
If you knew that you would find a truth
That would bring a pain that can't be soothed
Would you change? Would you change?
How bad, how good, does it need to get?
How many losses? how much regret?
What chain reaction would cause an effect?
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget,
Makes you change
Makes you change
Are you so up right
You can't be bent
If it comes to blows
Are you so sure you won't be crawling
If not for the good why why risk falling
Why risk falling?
If everything you think you know
Makes your life unbearable
Would you change? Would you change?
If you'd broken every rule and vow
And hard times come to bring you down
Would you change? Would you change?
If you knew that you would die today,
If you saw the face of God and loved
Would you change? Would you change?
If you saw the face of God and loved
If you saw the face of God and loved
Would you change? Would you change?

New Year's Resolution

2006-01-11T22:29:00.000-08:00

My 2006 New Year's resolution is to post more than last year. Ambitious, I know:).

One Thing Led To Another

2004-12-29T09:11:00.000-08:00

For the technically inept (disguised as the incurably curious) one thing led to another and a simple response became my very own blog site. An unexpected adventure...what joy!