Re: Fwd: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2017-MAR-24

2017-MAR-24-1354Hrs

Thanks Maria. I see you toiling tirelessly in the vineyard, educating us,  even in this mail.  Thanks for the courage and and wherewithal to press forward celebrating every iota of success.

May God continue to bless you and all of us who journey on in remaining years with which the Lord blesses us.

Gwen Williams 67-69

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2017-MAR-24

2017-MAR-24-1237Hrs

Anna Maria I really appreciate your counseling tips posted on the blog. Now I know. Lol ??

Euline Fox-Peters 72

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2017-MAR-17

2017-MAR-22-2307Hrs

I am always open to "educating" who will listen.  I know that behaviour change is a process and sometimes a very long process. I am a Counselling Psychologist  and Educator. To bring about behaviour change,  individuals must be take through the phases of:

1. Awareness--- because we are creatures of habit, we move around just mindlessly doing what we were "trained" to do from childhood, without much thought. This is why we make the same mistakes over and over again.  Bringing an individual to awareness ( or bringing the unconscious up to the conscious takes the use of certain techniques - there is resistance many times.)

2.  Insight--- After "awareness" is achieved, then comes what we call the "ah ha"moment, when the individual says: "OMG!! is this why I have been feeling "stuck;" "trapped" "unhappy" "helpless" etc etc etc.

3.  Knowledge--- The individual is now ready to explore his/her ability to learn new ways of thinking, doing things and ready to make choices for his/her future success/good. Again, it is all in the "techniques" used.

4. Then  BOOM ---- Behaviour Change.    After this is achieved though, there must be follow-up, support for a while to make sure that there is no regression which is so easy- if the on-going support is not there. It is after the change is accepted and integrated into a "new way of living" that we can say that this person is now ready to "face" what needed to be fixed" and move on.

All those ads I see on TV and speeches made "telling" people that they much change, they must do things differently etc etc,  will not have any effect unless "those people" sit and face themselves in a non-judgemental, empathic setting, etc etc etc.  Here ends the Introductory Lesson.

Love and Blessings all----Our Reunion is fast approaching.  Really saddened to hear about Kamini.

Anna Maria Mora 70

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2017-MAR-17

2017-MAR-17-2123Hrs

Errol

Like watching Dimanche Gras, it pained me to read Hazel's post. All I will say is 'A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country'. Hazel, keep on doing what you are doing and what you know best. ........hope we pick up at the Reunion.  Errol, keep up the good work.

Finbar Ryan 70-72

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2017-MAR-17

2017-MAR-17-1244Hrs

Thanks to you for for your piece on Restorative Justice. The problem is worldwide   I see such violence in this wealthy society where I live that some days I switch on the news ten minutes late to avoid the barrage of murders,rapes  and adults including teachers having sexual contact with children. The adults in every society need to recognize they children and youth imitate what they see adults do as depicted in movies and videos. Poor parents with little parenting skills, turn the TV ON EARLY TO KEEP THEIR  CHILDREN OCCUPZiED   Media houses need to ask the question over znd over; Now parent which TV program would you choose to raise your child?

Linda Edwards

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2017-MAR-10

2017-MAR-16-0146Hrs

Hi Errol.

Fellow Mausicans.

It is Reunion  2017.Is it possible to include in our programme this year  a  segment that deals with education.?We are all retired teachers and some, administrators in the  this field.Others have been successful in other disciplines.We therefore have a lot of  skills and expertise to share.Are you willing to volunteer your time and expertise  in such a project.?All suggestions , opinions  and criticisms are welcome.Is it feasible or not?

Patricia Aqui-Abraham 73

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2017-MAR-10

2017-MAR-14-1109Hrs

Thank you Rodney for your continuing tributes to us and to me in particular. Every time you celebrate me in print I grow a couple  of inches taller. It was 1967 that I came to Mausica

Whatever I have done in teaching celebrates the tradition of the women in my mothers line and a cousin Arthur Thomas who was a school principal when I was about four years old. The four generations of women in my direct line who have tried to lift others include Mrs Lillian Herriot Manson my great aunt Mrs Frances Eccles Smith my aunt Mrs Jestina EdwardsGuerra And Ms Glenda Edwards my sisters and my nieces who are still teaching Mrs Elke Guerra Silva Mrs Traci Baboolal Ali and Ms Eartha Guerra. Every day I give thanks for them. Christ was a teacher a preacher and a healer. We do his work. All committed teachers do his work.

Linda Edwards

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2017-MAR-10

2017-MAR-11-1053Hrs

Dear Errol,

It was good to see you at Dimanche Gras. A pity it was not better organized. I guess we can talk world-class, but we have along way to go.

I have been following the debate with Scratchy in the media and wish I could find time to give a comprehensive intervention. Suffice it to say, that the privileged do not recognize that they are privileged. It comes naturally to them and they and politicians do not seem to understand the structural violence in the society which militate against the youths reaching their fullest potential. if we do not seek to change mind-sets and alleviate the societal conditions which promote inequality, we will continue to see the downward trend. The solution lies in our hands.

I listen to the pronouncements on zero tolerance on school misbehaviour and I wonder if none of our well-paid technocrats  is aware that the United Nations issued a report from an expert panel in February last year, which rejected zero tolerance policies as an answer to curb school violence and recommended restorative practices .

This week I was invited to a meeting where a foreigner was sensitizing certified mediators about restorative justice.  I sat through the hour-long presentation in thoughtful silence. I was trained by the New Zealand Restorative justice Network in 2001 to facilitate restorative justice conferences. That same year,I was invited by the Organization of Caribbean Bar Associations to address them  on restorative justice at their annual general meeting being held at the Trinidad Hilton Hotel. I was also trained by and am a licensed trainer of the International Institute of Restorative Practices (the IIRP) a graduate school in  Bethlehem, Pennsylvania ,in restorative practices and restorative justice. I have done a number of other courses with them and have been conducting training here since January 2013, that is, for four ( 4) years. The IIRP uses a video-taped interview they made with me to advertise their programmes. (My husband found it on youtube one day) I have been on radio and television several  times talking about restorative justice. I have spoken on the subject at Mediation Board symposia and conferences. I have a graduate certificate in restorative practices and have almost completed my Masters degree. The IIRP used a photo and a quote from me, to advertise their Masters programme even before I embarked on my studies. At a training I conducted in 2016, I had more people from the OECS,than Trinidad.

The Chair of the function said she had conducted an extensive search to get someone to speak on restorative justice before she found this particular foreign speaker. Many times, I have invited the Mediation Board to my training and they had not even responded. The Chair of the function knows me well. She even attended a session I conducted in youth justice at a conference in Orlando, Florida some years ago. She says she loves my passion for restorative justice. At the discussion period, it was clear that the  foreigner did not have as good a grasp of the subject matter, as I do, to respond satisfactorily, to some of the questions posed. In Trinidad, foreign is better. I have to say, like the calypsonian, "my papers no use, no use, no use."

I end, as a popular radio caller is wont to say, " I love my country."

Hazel Thompson-Ahye 70

RE: Thank You, Mausica.

2017-MAR-05-0116Hrs

My Fellow Mausicans,

Have you ever been watching a TV program and wished that all your friends, in fact the whole world,  was tuned in to the riveting show also? Last week Thursday, I had such an experience. I was watching "Great African Civilizations" on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Prof. Gates' documentary  took me back to our beloved MTC,  where Linda Edwards Romain, in 1966,  ignited my love and appreciation of Black History.

I called her immediately to thank her and suggested  that she turn on her TV. I discovered that she was already viewing the program in Houston, Texas.

Imagine my surprise and admiration when another Linda , a Mausican Sister from Villanova, appeared on the screen. I shouted to Marj. " Aye, Marj, look Linda Heywood!.She is meh batch mate. Carlton Heywood Sister!  Dr Linda Heywood, a professor at Boston University,  appeared a second time. I was indeed exceedingly  proud of our Mausican Sister.

My Fellow Mausicans, let us share our accomplishments with one another. Let us show and tell the world what Trini immigrants have contributed to making "this world a better place".

Thank you. Linda Edwards and Linda Heywood. You all made my day.

As usual,

Rodney Foster 66-68

RE: Reunion 2017

2017-FEB-26-2250Hrs

My Fellow Mausicans,

Felix's suggestion to invite non-Mausicans who knew Mr. Williams to participate in the service is excellent.

Rolly Bain, also known as The Mighty Crepsole, was a former student of Mr Williams and later taught at St Michael's School in Diego Martin, during Mr. Williams' tenure there. He attended the funeral and would be happy to return to TNT to honor his friend.

Please include him in the program.

This morning at church, the organist played Sinfonia from Cantata No 29 by J.S. Bach arr. Guilmant. I was transported to Frederick St during a Bomb Competition. Remember Forsyth Hylanders playing "Let Every Valley Be Exalted". or some other classic by Mozart or Handel?

Those were the days, boy! The congregation applauded and hugged the young organist. He has never heard a steelband play the classics, so I promised him a CD.

Errol and all those who went for the Carnival,I hope you had an enjoyable time.

By de way, meh Ole Mas  pardnah, Vincent Samuel, in Los Angeles had some great characters this year. Just imagine :" Make America Grate Again". "Donna Tramp" and "He Blowin He Own Trum-Pet." Only ah Trini could conjure dem characters.

Carl Caton, yuh look like ah real dancero. We go dance down de place in July. Encourage all danceros and danceras to attend de gala.

Calling all Mausicans who are  graduates of St. George's College.The Principal, Mr. James Sammy,  would like to install an elevator. Cost is about $350,000. Could we "Live the Legacy". and help them.  If 350 graduates give $1,000 each, mission accomplished! There are other needs so let's help our beloved St. Georges. Gwen, Claudette, Pat Antoine, Earlene, Joe Stephens and others spread the good news.

As usual,

Rodney Foster 66-68

RE: "Waiting To Exhale"

2017-FEB-21-0142Hrs

My .Fellow Mausicans,

.

I'm back.

Angela and I started trading "Remember Wen?" stories about Mr. Williams. That could go on forever.

In 1967, after setting up camp at  Goodwill High School in Roseau, Dominica,, a group of Mausicans headed for a nearby beach. I believe Taitt, Thompson, Beck and a few others were there. Is de stinkest beach in de world. Like de natives or cruise ships use tuh dump tutu on de shore. In minus time we were back in de camp and reported our experience tuh Mr Williams.

In typical Mr. Williams humor, he called us a "bunch of stool pigeons".

On some nights we wanted a snack, we would drop in by De Warden.

Mr. Williams would fix us ham sandwiches with a touch of Kuchela,  Fruit drinks and sweet drinks. No Rum Punch. Classes in de morning.

As Usual,

Rodney Foster, 66 - 68 66-68.

RE: "Remember Wen?"

2017-FEB-15-2136Hrs

My Fellow Mausicans,

Thank you Pearl. You made my Day.

About twenty years ago, I left a few books with Sharon Lee Sing at the bookstore at 95.5 fm.

The death of my step-father, Ivan George, was the catalyst for my writing "Remember Wen?" When I saw his corpse at Allen's Funeral Home in Tunapuna.

To be continued. I called Angela Ifill and we talk for a long, long time.

As usual,

Rodney Foster 66-68.