a little life update...
Like I said in the title, this is just a little life update on some interesting things that have happened to me in the last few months.
I’ve moved back to Trinidad. In August of 2023, I started feeling pretty unsettled in the life that I’d built in Tobago. I was considering switching the boat that I was working on, moving apartments for the third or fourth time in that year and it honestly became a bit too much. So in September, I came home originally thinking I’d take a few months to settle myself before going back to Tobago. Then I was presented with an interesting career opportunity.
For the majority of my time living in Tobago, I’d put my business on pause. I essentially took a year-long sabbatical and it was absolutely needed but I’d started to miss my work in marketing. So when this opportunity came along, I decided to jump at it.
The opportunity in question?
I started working at the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday as their Associate Editor - Digital. The Newsday is one of the three major newspapers of Trinidad and Tobago. My role has me heading up their digital department, planning their strategy for the website, social media and alternative forms of digital coverage.
While it wasn’t something I was necessarily looking for, it felt like a great step forward in my career, so I’ve been doing that since December. As with all things there’ve been some ups and downs but overall I’m enjoying it. While it’s not a consistent part of my job, I write articles from time to time. One of my favourites was the feature piece I did on Mical Teja, the 2024 Young King and Road March Champion!
Some of my other favourites so far have been my feature on Zoë Reeve, a British TikTok content creator who visits Trinidad quite regularly; my friend Keegan Simon, an epic artist and designer; a feature of System32, which is the production company Mical Teja founded with Kevin Beharry; and a review of a concert performance by one of my favourite local bands ever, Freetown Collective. Right now I’m working on two other pieces. One on the proposed amendments to the local beekeeping legislation and a feature on an enterprising young man who sells oranges in Port of Spain.
I haven’t left the Tobago dream behind entirely though. Since I’ve been back I’ve been studying for my Captain’s License. The exam is supposed to be broken up into two parts, an oral exam and there’s also supposed to be a practical exam.
I’m happy to say that I actually passed the oral exam a couple of weeks ago! The practical exam should be a breeze compared to the oral exam so I’m well on my way to being a licensed boat captain. Once everything is done, I’ll be able to sail vessels under 30.5 m or 100 ft. For context, that’s about the size of the infamous Harbour Master.
Lastly, if you didn’t know, on weekends, I walk stilts with a group called Jaiso Mokos. I’ve been walking on and off for about 5 years now but I recently went up a height to three-foot stilts. Soon I’m hoping to actually get some tricks under my belt.
I surprisingly enjoy it when I write these kinds of update emails. It just feels like I’m chatting with a friend over coffee. I hope you’ll reply with the cool stuff you’ve been doing in your life too!
Until our next update email…
Love from your Chronically Online Friend,
Sydney ✨💖
P.S. If you’re in Trinidad and want to learn how to walk stilts, send me a message. I’m happy to teach you how!