RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY E-MAILS
2007-Dec-30-1944hrs
To all my fellow Mausicans, (known and unknown) I wish you God's richest blessings and a joyful 2008!
Joy A. James-Valdez 1972-1974

Re: A new Year's Wish for All Mausicans
2007-Dec-27-1931hrs
Greetings to all Mausicans,
As we are about to enter the "New Year-The year of New Beginnings" I want to wish You : Health and Happiness
Peace and Prosperity
Protection and Promotion
Favor and Fulfillment
In 2008.
May Each Day Be A Gift- Treasure It!
Monica Davis (1967-1969)

Re: Greetings of the Season
2007-Dec-26-0348hrs
My dear friends
As we reflect on the year that was and which went by so quickly, we often wonder where the time went; what have we been able to accomplish; the friends with whom we may not have been in touch with as often as we would have liked; the deaths of those near and dear to us that no matter how painful, remind us that our time here on earth is just that - for a time.
I know that this season will be another special one for all of us, reliving old memories and creating new ones.
On behalf of Maureen, the rest of my family and on my own behalf, may I take this opportunity to wish you all, as well as your families, warmest wishes for the season and a bright, prosperous new year filled with the things that matter most - joy, peace, love, safety and happiness.
Sincerely
Jack Warner

Re: Merry Xmas
2007-Dec-25-1617hrs
A Merry Xmas and a Happier New Year!
regards!
Ron Wilson

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAIL
2007-Dec-25-1532hrs
Thank you for all the wishes my Mausica Family. I am now coming out of a personal challenge. My Dad who had a stroke at 82 is recovering after three months of intense attention. I am in Antigua with him at my sister's. He is doing well. Thank you for all your prayers and wishes. I wish all of you Blessings Abundant for 2008.
magnumpida@hotmail.com

Re: Christmas wishes.
2007-Dec-25-1414hrs
My friends;

My house and my heart are full. We went to Midnight Mass at the cathedral, where a full orchestra was in attendance,and by 10.000 there were no seats left. The service was in German and English. God had an opera done in His honor! My Muslim protege went up to the altar to be blessed by the bishop, in her first ever Christian service and Christmas celebration. the Catholic girl from Malawi took communion with us.
At breakfast, my girlfriend brought venison sausages, a gift of her neighbour, and we ate tangerines off my tree, picked yesterday. We prayed in Arabic, in the langaugae of the Malawi, which I cannot pronounce, much less spell, and in English. One prayer was offfered by a Vietnamese Buddhist convert to Anglicanism, who now sings in the church choir.

As I write this, we are preparing to go to dinner at Angie's house,, where we will eat an international meal of Caribbean, Mediterranean and American origins, and again, offer thanks to God in many dialects.

Has there ever been a better Christmas? Not since I was a child.

May the peace and joy of the holiday season, visit you, and stay with you for eternity.Your contribution to my joyful year is recorded in my my memory, and the memory of God.You were part of the process of creating this. No card to be thrown out in a few days could hvve said the same thing. This is cheaper too.

Peace, and blessings.

Linda Edwards

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAIL
2007-Dec-23-2151hrs
A Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Prosperous , Healthy and Happy New Year to all Mausicans , their families and loved ones.. Thank you, once again Errol, for keeping us all connected. God's Blessings. Many congratulations, to my new sister Hazel Ann.

Love,

Joy Barnes , formerly Marshall of Wingate.

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAIL
2007-Dec-23-1949hrs
Happy and Holy Christmas to all Let us keep Christ in Christmas
Mennen Walker-Briggs

Re: greetings for posting on our blog

2007-Dec-23-1229hrs

My wish for you, your families and your loves ones is happiness always, good health, peace and success in all that you do.
Brenda Alexander-Perez

Re: Christmas Greetings

2007-Dec-23-0934hrs
To all my E-Mail friends,
May the peace of the Christ Child fill your hearts this Christmas and throughout the coming year.
Sincerely,
Germaine Gomez

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAIL
2007-Dec-23-0732hrs
Rather refreshing ; spritual even
George Bobb

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAIL
2007-Dec-23-0620hrs
For those who might be interested:
Dear Sharon,
Just in case you might be interested: ACC PILGRMAGE TO LOURDES FOR 150 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
The Archdiocesan Communication Commission (ACC) is organizing a pilgrimage to Lourdes and Fatima to take place next year, 2008, from September 17 – 27 as Lourdes will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin to Bernadette. It is interesting to note here that as a special spiritual benefit to pilgrims, the Pope has stated that Catholics who visit the miracle shrine (at Lourdes) over the next year will receive indulgences. A recent release from the Vatican states that plenary indulgences will be granted to pilgrims visiting the shrine during the year from December 8, 2007, until December 8, 2008.
Should you join this pilgrimage you will first arrive in Portugal via Miami where you will visit Santarem, site of the Eucharistic Miracle. In Fatima you will go to see the Basilica containing the tombs of Jacinta and Francisco, two of the children to whom Mary appeared in 1917. You will also see the sites connected with the Apparitions – the village of Fatima, homes of the children, the church where they were baptized.
From Fatima you will cross into the Spanish countryside where you will experience the beautiful Cathedrals of Salamanca and Burgos. From there you will proceed into the Pyrenees and then to Lourdes where you will spend three days. Here you will participate in the evening processions, attend Mass at the Grotto of the Apparitions, and visit places connected with the life of St Bernadette. You will also participate in the Blessed Sacrament Procession, the Blessing of the sick, and bathe in the miraculous waters.
The latest news coming out of the Vatican is that the Pope is expected to visit Lourdes next year, possibly in September or October. We are hoping that he will be there during our visit.
After the stay in Lourdes where you will have a free day to do whatever you want, you will travel to Montserrat, Spain’s most sacred mountain. Here you will visit the Romanesque Monastery and the shrine of the Virgin of Montserrat, also known as “La Moreneta or Black Virgin, because of her dark complexion. It is then back to T&T via Miami
Should you be interesting in joining the pilgrimage and would like more information you are advised to call the ACC office 623-7620 as soon as possible.
The Spiritual Director will be Fr John Theodore
PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA AND LOURDES
INFORMATION SHEET
Date September 17 -27
Principal places to be visited: Fatima (Portugal), Cathedral of Salamanca, Cathedral of Burgos, Shrine of the Virgin of Montserrat (Spain), Lourdes
Price: $24,550.00 includes – return air travel from T&T, breakfast and dinner, tips and taxes (not airport tax from T&T), double occupancy room in first class hotel (single rooms at an extra $US 500), travel insurance, coach transfers.
First payment of $5,000.00 by February 29, 2008. Final payment by April 15, 2008
Visas for the USA and EU necessary. The onus is on the traveller to obtain the necessary visas. However the organizers (ACC) will be ready to assist in obtaining the EU visa, but at the traveller’s expense.
The names of the hotels will be given at a later date (about 3 weeks before departure)
Tour goes via Miami. If anyone requests to stay over in Miami on the way back they can make their own arrangements after they have received their ticket.
If someone from the US wants to join the tour they can join at Miami at $US 3,555.00 .
Tour price is based on current foreign exchange rates. Should currency values change prior to departure, ACC reserves the right to make the necessary adjustments and increase prices accordingly.
Felix Edinborough

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAIL
2007-Dec-21-1846hrs
Seasons greetings and a blessed Christmas to all. Tonight it's calypso semi finals on Montserrat and I've been resting up as much as possible all week to go and enjoy. I stopped singing in competition ( YES, ME!) five years ago. I peaked very early and came third in the open competition at my first attempt... actually the first time a woman made it to winners row! after that I made it to finals and semis a few times but it takes a lot of energy so I called it a day contest wise. tell you about the results later on. This is our festival season in tandem with Christmas.
Pat Ryan

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAIL
2007-Dec-21-1358hrs
Happy Holidays to you and Yours, and a prosperous New Year!!!!!!!!!!! I can not tell you how much your contribution is appreciated, so a simple "Thank You" will have to suffice.
Winston Yallery-Arthur

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAIL
2007-Dec-21-1055hrs

Hello to everyone in my Mausica Family.
It was an absolute delight to meet so many members of the clan in Tobago this year. I can't wait for 2009, God's willing it. The year opened with tears , but is ending with smiles. Congratulations to all the authors and other achievers. Keep on keeping on. Where ever we go we seem to shine in spite of circumstances. I feel blessed to be a Mausican.
Errol, hats off to you for keeping this thread of communication going among us. I commend you wholeheartedly ! You deserve the award and much more for all your effort. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to wish everyone ..... All the happiness of Christmas ....... and .......I hope we all a have a a wonderfully blessed New Year 2,008
Peace and much love
from Myrdith Osborne (64-66)

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAIL
2007-Dec-20-2102hrs
I wish all my fellow Mausicans a Happy Christmas and the most prosperous New Year ever. I wish everyone to be safe and healthy and enjoy peace and love in your families and neighbourhoods. I flew in on Tuesday night and am happy to be home for Christmas and to spend the holidays with my loved ones and friends in the country of my birth.
Remember de Cuff on her birthday on January 6, I believe.
God Bless you all. Hope this coming year will not see us sending sad news around about fellow Mausicans.
Much love,
Hazel Thompson-Ahye
PS. Please, Rodney, would you send again the name and telephone number of the fellow in Trincity who has your books for sale.

Re: Compliments of the season
2007-Dec-19-1054hrs
Hi Errol,
Thanks for the tremendous work that you continue to do. May the good Lord continue to sustain you in your efforts and give you the strength to be that vital link that keeps us all inforned and bonded.
May you and your family be blessed and may you enjoy the peace of Christ that passeth all understanding especially during this happy and holy season of Christmas. Blessings also the the entire Mausica network.
God Bless!
Sadie Murrell

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS
2007-Dec-17-0537hrs
Errol,
The info I promised for Selwyn. Ricardo Hospedales email:rkiddoh@hotmail.com
He also wishes to be added to the regular bloggers.
Love and blessings
Hazel Ann Gibbs-DePeza

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS
2007-Dec-15-1454hrs
To Rodne Foster,
Yep there is ah trini and a Mausican to boot in the Peg.you can contact me if you like.
Merry Xmas to all.
Ken Atherton
Class of 66.

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS

2007-Dec-14-1419hrs
Thanks for keeping us informed. I too "read" the Express first thing in the morning. The positive actions seem to get less media attention and fewer comments. A Thelma Cross suggested that if each person simply did what they were supposed to do... obey the rules, be polite and considerate etc life would change for everyone. Her suggestions began with : What If...? followed by positive actions. Of course some know better came up with his set of What ifs: what if everone became a vigilante etc.. it really sickened me.
From time to time I post comments, some of which are printed. I shared my thoughts on communities reclaiming schools so that students could have a sense of belonging and also not have to spend long hours getting to and from schools which are far away from their communities. The Government just needs to equip all schools adequately so that each would in time become a "prestige school" whatever that means nowadays. In the meantime though we can all pray for the light to shine in the hearts and minds of our people.

Have a blessed Christmas all.
Pat Ryan

Re: Season Greetings

2007-Dec-09-2003hrs

Hi Errol,

The year is slowly closing and I want to remember 2007 as a wonderful year, though tinged with sadness. Memories of reacquainting myself with a number of beautiful people will linger on. Being part of the planning for the Tobago Reunion with Anna, Janice, Hazel, Felix, the Tobago crew and the Canadian crew, is a memory to cherish. Now I wish one and all God's richest blessings for the Christmas season and a fruitful and happy New Year.

Barbara Mellowes

Re: A Message To All Mausicans, from Linda Edwards (Romain)

2007-Dec-07-1215hrs
"God Bless Our Nation,

of many varied races.

May we possess the common love,

that binds and makes us one.

Let it be known around the world,

that we can boast of unity,

and take a pride

in our liberty."

When that hymn to our country was composed for Independence in 1962, I was twenty-one, and was so proud of the fact that my country and I had come of age together. I still love that land with a pasion, that if a man was the beneficiary of it, it would burn him to ashes, so intense it is.

Recently, though, in reading the Express on-line(www,trinidadexpress.com) I have become aware that a lot of Trinis do not love their country, begining with the speech given by the leader of the opposition when his party lost. Daily, if you read the comments that bloggers are allowed to attach to the Express, you would see that absence of love coming through, even though most of the comments stick to the topic of the news.(I have met political refugees from brutal regimes in their countries, who if the leadership changed, would go home tomorrow. Some have had legs or arms chopped off. They still love their country).

I live five minutes from a mall where a young woman on opening her store, was shot to death by a man who then committed suicide. There was another major shooting at a mall in Omaha this week. Americans do not talk of moving from their country because of crime, they work to try to find solutions to the problem. Canadians do not move from their country because an overzealous immigration official tazered a Polish immigrant and caused his death, they work to try to prevent this from happening again, through the legislative process and other means.This is love of country.

It well may be, that those who constantly condemn Trinidad and Tobago in the media were not the beneficiaries of anything- not free education, free medical care, free and low-cost computers that the government subsidized for children, low cost housing, or anything else, including the invaluable fact of living and growing in a multi-racial society. This results in our ability to fit in to any country in the world. There are those who see no good whatsover in the place.

Occasionally, I help prepare oil company personnel to go down there to work. The picture they are given by all this is one of a nation on the edge of imminent racial warfare.If this were so, no person would dare take a maxi or other taxi if it was driven by someone other than their own race. No person would buy food in a restaurant, if it was prepared by someone of another race, no person would have friends of any other race but their own. Many of us have families that include every race.African,Chinese, European and Indian.

You all know that none of this is happening. During the summer just ended, after the reunion, my American friend and I ,she is a high school counsellor, spent two weeks living on the campus of UWI, and taking maxi-taxis to the St. Mary's Children's Home, where along with Merle Howe, and Rodney Foster, we volunteered to help as reading teachers. My friend and I walked from Citizen's Bank in Tunapuna, back to the campus, so she could get a sense of small stores and wayside markets. We walked from the campus to Hi-Lo and came back carrying gallon bottles of water. We walked all over the shopping areas of down-town Port-of-Spain, including Charlotte Street. We took taxi to Diego Martin, and got soaked at the Emancipation Celebration. We flirted with the ten year old boy being money-minder for his parent's bake and shark stall at the Emancipation Village. We saw no crime. We were not threatened. We came to no harm. Perhaps because we were praying souls, doing God's work? It has to be more than that.

We drove through Central, shopped at the Chaguanas Market, and at roadside stalls, accompanied by two men in their late seventies. We came to no harm.

Yet, if you read the commentaries, and the headlines in the papers, you would think that the place was a wild west village, where shooting up each other was the order of the day. Of course, none of us are involved in drugs either, so that may have something to do with how we coped.

There is also a tendency, I have observed in some of the daily papers, to ridicule every institution in the country, beginning with the Office of the President. It is as if a whole lot of people wish they were born elsewhere, and had loyalties other than that owed to their land of birth. Loyalties that they could be proud of. Many of us are retired, and can no longer direct students in the ideas of being loyal to their country, but I appeal to you, at this Advent time of renewal, and preparation, to pray daily for our country, for all of our people, of whatever faith, that they may turn their thoughts and actions towards the good of all; that they will act as people of goodwill towards all men and women.

There must be a thousand of us left alive still, and if these one thousand people say the words of that song at the start of this piece, daily, with fervour, I am sure we would have moved our country closer to where all desire it to be. Leaders of a nation are not God, but God can direct their paths in working for the good of all. Let us pray that the composer of God Bless Our Nation, would be blessed,he and his descendants, for giving us those words of inspiration.

During the Christmas holidays, I will host two African scholars at my home, one from North Africa, is a Muslim, the other is from Burundi and is a Christian. Include all three of us, in your prayers and good wishes also. The Fulbright Program, under whose aegis they are in the USA, aims to bring people closer to understanding through education. It also sends Americans abroad for the same purpose. We can move closer to the Peace of God that passeth all understanding. All good wishes for the new year, to all of you.

Have an enjoyable Christmas season, and remember, the most significant message of HIS ministry is: Love One Another As I Have Loved You.

Linda Edwards

former lecturer in History and English

Mausica.1967-69

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS

2007-Dec-07-0116hrs

Errol,

Season's Greetings to you and yours and to the entire Mausica family. Love and joy and prosperity for the new year. May I show and tell in class today? Thank you. I launched my book - My Faith Spiritual Baptist Christian , published by Xulon Press and available online from them. I am attaching some pictures from the launch at NALIS in Port of Spain on November 17, 2007.

Love and blessings

Hazel Ann

Re: Rodney's poems

2007-Dec-06-1121hrs

Hello Errol,

Every year one of my friends, Gwen Green, holds two events at which poets write their thoughts on a quote. This year the quote came from Malaika Fvorite, an artist and a writer : "There is no place for a mountain to move." Attached are my two pieces which I read to the audience on Dec15th. Please share them with my Mausica family.

By the way, there is a Trinidadian in Winnipeg, Jume Springer from La Romain, who would like me to visit and promote my books and CD there. She says there is a TNT association in Winnipeg. Do you have any contacts in Winnipeg?

Thanks for your weekly correspondence. It's great to keep in touch.

Rodney Foster

MOVING ON

My biggest mountain is the closed mind.

Both in myself and others.

Members of the “Yes, but’, and “I know, but” group.

The kind that is triple-reinforced with ignorance, fear and prejudice,

Those weapons of mass destruction.

Unmoved by a preponderance of evidence to the contrary,

They hold fast to falsehoods, hearsay and emotional rhetoric.

No keys of knowledge can unlock such biased minds,

No light can penetrate their darkness

For they have learned to function in that environment,

Frustrating the hell out of teachers like you and me.

Therefore, we must learn to let go and move on To enlighten more fertile, receptive minds.

Perhaps one day their teacher would come along.

Yesterday’s solutions must give way to today’s innovations,

Peace must replace war, love hatred, humility arrogance and action passivity.

My friends, what are your mountains today?

We are all mountaineers, you know.

So let’s share our war stories and level all mountains.

Because all mountains are surmountable.
Rodney Foster

4050 Crossings Way

Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Tel 404-501-9277

MY MOUNTAIN
When the stressors of this world overwhelm me

And my knees buckle and I begin to hear the count:

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,”

I remember God’s invitation and I rise.

“Come unto me all that are weary and heavily burdened and I will give you rest.”

Like magic I am transported to His warm embrace

Where I offload my burdensome baggage to his infinite hard drive.

No elaborate logon procedure is required, no user ID number, no password,

No special attire, no fee, no special time.

On this mountain, access is unconditional, 24/7.

Just acknowledge His presence, say “Help me, Lord”

And you are online with the Creator.
I love going to the mountain because it’s fast and convenient

And communication is up-close and personal.

God’s Mountain resides in me.

I just plug in from wherever and whenever I choose.

On the 285, 85, 20 E, Covington Highway or Wesley Chapel,

My cubicle on the job, Walmart, Publix, at the gas pump or my home.

God’s Mountain is just a click away.

It is an all-inclusive retreat that caters to all moods and circumstances.

Whether I want to celebrate, meditate or recuperate I can visit my mountain.

And like Martin and Moses, I am enlightened and enlivened

When I soar to the mountain top or kneel within its sanctuary and witness the burning bush.

Thank you, Lord, for creating in me your immovable mountain.
Rodney Foster

4050 Crossings Way

Stone Mountain, GA 30083.

Tel. 404-501-9277

Re: Today's Daily Word

2007-Dec-05-0827hrs

Dear Family and Friends,

This is my first day back at the computer since Nov.12th. What a drought! Anyhow I will probably not be using it much as I return to Patrice's Dec. 15th. and following that when I go to Trinidad it is almost impossible to send emails as my mother does not have a computer. Don't email me between Dec.30th and Feb.19th. as I will be in Trinidad with my mother.

Do take care.

Magnell Robinson

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS

2007-Nov-30-1701hrs

Season Greetings to our Mausican Family and God's many blessings to all.Grenada, here we come.

Patricia Abraham