I rarely deal with politics; it’s a drain on my much needed energy, but as a law-abiding citizen of Trinidad and Tobago I simply cannot sit in silence on this one. Mr Patrick Manning’s incensed tirade in the Parliament recently and his delusions of religious persecution created quite an uncalled for spectacle, I must say. »

Like an anxious homeowner anticipating the arrival of guests, a beaming Asa Wright, her smile immortalised in a black and white photograph, greets visitors and nature lovers as they set foot through the doors of the Asa Wright Nature Centre. »

Some people spend their lives going around in circles. And others, consciously or unconsciously, create boxes. Deep inside those boxes, buried in the subconscious mind, psychological dysfunctions are stored; unresolved issues, troubled emotions, hurt, pain, anger, fear, disappointment, heartbreak, unaccomplished goals, emotional fantasies, childhood dreams, unfinished business. Some boxes are cluttered with many issues; chaotic, confused, illogical, and messy while others have been neatly packed, tucked away and almost forgotten. ’What’s in your box?’ is the question African-American writer Ebony Rose Custis asks in her new play, Boxes. »

The hectic Carnival season has just finished, and as usual fashion trends change, so it’s only natural for make-up trends to be just as current. It’s been a short while since I really spent time developing trends that I felt embody an international feel while catering to our unique needs in the Caribbean, but I came up with a few suggestions. »

The letters IWD roll off the tongue like a sweet sonnet, but the struggle for International Women’s Day (IWD) was far from sweet. »

As I thought about the significance of the world celebrating International Women’s Day, I became pensive about the contributions made by and the influence the women in my immediate life had on me while growing up. Three of them stood out: my mother, my aunt Verna and my maternal grandmother. They molded and nurtured my beliefs, conscience, spirituality and much more. Undoubtedly, they sufficiently shaped my life for me to celebrate them as having been an integral part of my existence. »

Aromatherapy is an approach that uses the olfactory sense to promote healing and wellbeing. The strategy is closely linked to alternative and complementary medicine, and while there are many skeptics, aromatherapy can be effective. Science Daily explores the subject of aromatherapy and health. »

With Carnival over, your hair is probably completely fried from the sun, excessive blow drying, flat ironing, curling, and colouring, relaxing, straightening, weaving and fusing extensions. But all is not lost, Venezuelan hairstylist, Victor Martinez, has a life-saving treatment to repair and revitalise all hair types. »

There is a well known, excruciatingly funny, Jamaican comedian called Oliver who is also known in Trinidad (not too sure if he is as funny any more), but years ago he had us in Jamaica laughing hysterically when he did his skit of a passenger who had never flown before, seated on the aircraft. He wore earmuffs and had a long scarf wrapped around his neck, both items he stated to ’stap de cole hare from blowing on im from hout side’. But the best part of that skit was the fact that he brought all his food on board, ate loudly and nosily and kept asking the ’stewardess’ to bring him some water so he could mix his tea and sugar to sweeten his lemonade. »

For almost three decades they have tirelessly lobbied for proper policy in the areas of Gender and Development. Indeed many of the women attached to the Network of NGOs of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women have given their time and energy to help push for gender equality, equity and human development. And now, as we are on the heels of International Women’s Day, the Network believes it is the right time to put gender back on the agenda. »