About Me
- MPEvans
- Washington, DC, United States
- I'm a naturalized Caribbean immigrant in the grand old U.S.A. I live in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Ward 7 and I'm a forever-journalist. I started my first career as a magazine editor and I haven't been able to give it up. When I started this blog, I was knee-deep into my fourth career as a government public relations specialist. However, I have been heading up my editorial staffing company, Invisible Colours LLC out of my Ward 7 neighborhood. I'm expanding my company's brand by offering video production and other social media technologies for clients. This blog follows my journey as a 40-something-year old in Washington, D.C. Married for several years, I have three kids--a boy and two girls. I am blessed, and I'm loving all that God has given me. I have a master's in journalism from Columbia University and a bachelor's of arts from the University of the West Indies. I hope I can offer a little insight into my life and my experiences. Writing serves as a catharsis for me. It is what I do best. It is what I love. It is who I am.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
On Dealing With Insufficient Time
I can't believe my last entry was in August and we're at the end of September almost. Like most of my peers, I'm still working through the time issues--especially with having a full time job, a hubby, kids, side job, volunteer projects, the home, the cooking, the cleaning. Note that i put cleaning last. Always my sacrificial lamb. It's just not enough hours in the day. And sometimes on some days, you just want to do nothing. I love the "I don't want to do anything song."
I wish I had some words of wisdom for others, but I know I'm over-extended; and it's like an addiction. I'm addicted to being busy, to having something to do,
What is it in my DNA that makes it impossible for me to just not do. Unless I'm sick or completely drained, I keep going. Take right now, why is it I'm up cooking stewed chicken? Actually, my oldest came back for a visit from college and I'm sending him with some down home Trini food in addition to Costco supplies. Plus we have to clear out the kitchen as we have a major overhaul of the kitchen in our 1937 colonial. That's something to look forward to but I'm putting some additional items away. We're almost there. And I'm taking in "Jesse's Girl" on pandora, best invention.
I tend to be a big believer in if you don't use your talents, you lose it. Therefore, I sign up for activities where I can hone my writing, editorial or public relations skills. So, there is a reason behind it. But I have to say, taking a mommy minute is underrated. You do need a minute from your reality. Do whatever pleases you for half a day or an hour or a full day. My getaways include full aromatherapy massages. Recently, since I can't get away for an hour, I do a chair massaage 1 buck a minute. But I'm so charged. So alive. Helps to retool my brain cells.
Monday, August 29, 2011
At 40, You Stick With Your First Love
As I mention in my bio, I'm always going to be a journalist. It was what I wanted to do when I first met Dominic Kalipersad, a Trinidadian anchorman, who came to visit my elementary school, Arima Girls RC, sometime in the early 1980s or so. I remember being very impressed by him, and wanting to be him.
So, pretty much, all the subjects I chose in high school for the fourth and fifth forms were related to my future journalism career. At 15, I even told the counsellor that's what I was going to do and he said, good subject choices--especially typing, Spanish and of course, History. Unfortunately, my high school, North Eastern College, didn't really have a working magazine or newspaper that I could cut my teeth on. However, I remember being part of a group that was trying to start one. I do remember the naysayers in my high school who said I won't be journalist, that I'll just work for the BOMB, Trinidad's version of National Enquirer. No credibility. Good thing I didn't look back.
At the University of the West Indies, too, I got heavily involved in any publishing and printing I could volunteer for. We didn't have weekly or monthly newspapers but we did get involved in newsletters and zines, etc. It was a good learning experience.
My first gig in journalism was with Black Diaspora Magazine in NY. I stayed there about five years, during which I earned my master's in journalism from Columbia University in 2000. At Black Diaspora, I started as an associate editor, moved to managing editor then executive editor within five years. Talk about fast. But it was a solid experience as I didn't only have to write stories, but I directed the flow of stories through the magazine each month; I managed the freelance writers and photographers; I worked with the art direcotr in closing each issue per month; worked on covers; themes; photos. It was a fruit to nuts operation. And the publisher, Mr. John-Sandy always told me I was ahead of the curve with my sponge-like mind; and that not many people could work through an entire publication from start to finish. I took it as a compliment. One of the best parts of working BD was the press junkets off to Hollywood to meet Blair Underwood, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Ice Cube and of course, Quentin Tarrantino, Sam Jackson (I got a story about that one), and more. I enjoyed the travel writing in countries like Aruba, St. Martin/Maarten, Tobago, Jamaica, St. Lucia. But I wanted more. I started out the same time with my girl Deborah Gregory, who was writing for Essence, I believe. We were all kind of starving artists, but now she's the author of Cheetah Girls, my daughter's all time fav. Big ups to my NY sister. You done good, girl. I also met P-Diddy when he was still Puffy. And my girl, Mariah Carey, who admitted her name is Mariah Nunez, in the most Latino sounding voice I've ever heard. She picked a couple of us journalists to come and eat some pasta that she cooked. My girl could hook it up.
It was a good place to cut my teeth, so to speak. It was a good way to spend my 20s; I got mad memories of it all, kind of tucked away though. Soon after that, I headed to Washington, D.C., to be a reporter with the Washington Afro American in June 2001. By December, I was the editor. Sigh. I was really enjoying the reporting in the community, pen in mouth, notebook in hand, prodding and probing, hitting my deadlines. Again, I was put back in a newsroom to do closing of issues. It was good that I made relationships with the folks at Channel 9 as I had to there every other Thursday to talk about that week's Afro. Big ups to Andrea Roane and Mike Buchanan. Of course, I met Bruce Johnson, Janet Terry, Ms. Drummond and a whole bunch others. I still feel a major part of your family, even though I'm in a whole other direction. But you're still the best in my eyes.
Wanting to be a serious political reporter, I accepted the American Political Science Association Fellowship (APSA) on the Hill. It gave Dick Cheney, Joan Claybrooke and a couple of others their starts. I worked in Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott's office, where I met Larry Dillard who opened my eyes to the "dark side" of public relations, more specifically government public relations. I learned about the press release and media relations from him. Plus, I was able to combine how PR people treated me as a journalist, and was able to combine that with what I do, and then some.
Between then, and now, I've worked as a PR person for a Councilmember, a mayoral candidate; as an editor for a contractor that had a government contract; freelance editor and writer; and public relations and communications professional. And of course, I have my own business, Invisible Colours LLC.
Now, I'm a public information officer for a District of Columbia government agency and I'm able to take all those experiences and pile them into one. But I haven't given up writing. I still freelance for East of the River newspaper. The above link is my latest story.
So, pretty much, all the subjects I chose in high school for the fourth and fifth forms were related to my future journalism career. At 15, I even told the counsellor that's what I was going to do and he said, good subject choices--especially typing, Spanish and of course, History. Unfortunately, my high school, North Eastern College, didn't really have a working magazine or newspaper that I could cut my teeth on. However, I remember being part of a group that was trying to start one. I do remember the naysayers in my high school who said I won't be journalist, that I'll just work for the BOMB, Trinidad's version of National Enquirer. No credibility. Good thing I didn't look back.
At the University of the West Indies, too, I got heavily involved in any publishing and printing I could volunteer for. We didn't have weekly or monthly newspapers but we did get involved in newsletters and zines, etc. It was a good learning experience.
My first gig in journalism was with Black Diaspora Magazine in NY. I stayed there about five years, during which I earned my master's in journalism from Columbia University in 2000. At Black Diaspora, I started as an associate editor, moved to managing editor then executive editor within five years. Talk about fast. But it was a solid experience as I didn't only have to write stories, but I directed the flow of stories through the magazine each month; I managed the freelance writers and photographers; I worked with the art direcotr in closing each issue per month; worked on covers; themes; photos. It was a fruit to nuts operation. And the publisher, Mr. John-Sandy always told me I was ahead of the curve with my sponge-like mind; and that not many people could work through an entire publication from start to finish. I took it as a compliment. One of the best parts of working BD was the press junkets off to Hollywood to meet Blair Underwood, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Ice Cube and of course, Quentin Tarrantino, Sam Jackson (I got a story about that one), and more. I enjoyed the travel writing in countries like Aruba, St. Martin/Maarten, Tobago, Jamaica, St. Lucia. But I wanted more. I started out the same time with my girl Deborah Gregory, who was writing for Essence, I believe. We were all kind of starving artists, but now she's the author of Cheetah Girls, my daughter's all time fav. Big ups to my NY sister. You done good, girl. I also met P-Diddy when he was still Puffy. And my girl, Mariah Carey, who admitted her name is Mariah Nunez, in the most Latino sounding voice I've ever heard. She picked a couple of us journalists to come and eat some pasta that she cooked. My girl could hook it up.
It was a good place to cut my teeth, so to speak. It was a good way to spend my 20s; I got mad memories of it all, kind of tucked away though. Soon after that, I headed to Washington, D.C., to be a reporter with the Washington Afro American in June 2001. By December, I was the editor. Sigh. I was really enjoying the reporting in the community, pen in mouth, notebook in hand, prodding and probing, hitting my deadlines. Again, I was put back in a newsroom to do closing of issues. It was good that I made relationships with the folks at Channel 9 as I had to there every other Thursday to talk about that week's Afro. Big ups to Andrea Roane and Mike Buchanan. Of course, I met Bruce Johnson, Janet Terry, Ms. Drummond and a whole bunch others. I still feel a major part of your family, even though I'm in a whole other direction. But you're still the best in my eyes.
Wanting to be a serious political reporter, I accepted the American Political Science Association Fellowship (APSA) on the Hill. It gave Dick Cheney, Joan Claybrooke and a couple of others their starts. I worked in Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott's office, where I met Larry Dillard who opened my eyes to the "dark side" of public relations, more specifically government public relations. I learned about the press release and media relations from him. Plus, I was able to combine how PR people treated me as a journalist, and was able to combine that with what I do, and then some.
Between then, and now, I've worked as a PR person for a Councilmember, a mayoral candidate; as an editor for a contractor that had a government contract; freelance editor and writer; and public relations and communications professional. And of course, I have my own business, Invisible Colours LLC.
Now, I'm a public information officer for a District of Columbia government agency and I'm able to take all those experiences and pile them into one. But I haven't given up writing. I still freelance for East of the River newspaper. The above link is my latest story.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Fierce, Fabulous and Forty
It's a funny thing about turning 40. It's as if there's some secret club or organization that women who turn 40 and who know your age, greet you a little differently. Just this morning, I got a greeting by another just-turned-40 woman, "welcome to the club." I've never been greeted like that as a 30-year-old. It's almost as if there's a premise, that you don't truly grow up until you're 40. Hmm, that's interesting. I always thought you never really knew yourself until you're 26. And self-discovery is the path to self-fulfillment, growth and of course, maturity. So, I guess, I truly wasn't matured until this past June 16 when I hit the big 4-0. Ha Ha. That's really funny, if it is so.
But so far, I've become more reflective. I've found myself to be discontented with certain areas in my life, and contemplating how to change some of them. I don't want to be stuck on stupid for not moving forward or back. But at the same time, you're always concerned about making changes, and their consequences, good or bad. I think it's good to think life through, with all its nuances and quirkiness. I'll take the good, bad and ugly and work through it all with God's guidance of course.
Today, was my daughter, Taleyah's first day of school. My big girl's in second grade. It was really great seeing the other parents. We were all there, walking our little munchkins to class. One mom told me, "I'll probably be doing this until he's in college." Dakota doesn't start Maury until this Thursday. DCPS wanted to ease the preschoolers in, a little at a time. So, that should be fun this Thursday as well.
This is the first time, too, that we didn't have to drop Nicholas off to school for the first day as he's already in college. Classes started since Aug. 18. I felt a little tinge there. My big boy's now a man.
But so far, I've become more reflective. I've found myself to be discontented with certain areas in my life, and contemplating how to change some of them. I don't want to be stuck on stupid for not moving forward or back. But at the same time, you're always concerned about making changes, and their consequences, good or bad. I think it's good to think life through, with all its nuances and quirkiness. I'll take the good, bad and ugly and work through it all with God's guidance of course.
Today, was my daughter, Taleyah's first day of school. My big girl's in second grade. It was really great seeing the other parents. We were all there, walking our little munchkins to class. One mom told me, "I'll probably be doing this until he's in college." Dakota doesn't start Maury until this Thursday. DCPS wanted to ease the preschoolers in, a little at a time. So, that should be fun this Thursday as well.
This is the first time, too, that we didn't have to drop Nicholas off to school for the first day as he's already in college. Classes started since Aug. 18. I felt a little tinge there. My big boy's now a man.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
A Woman of Fortytude
This week, Sarah Brokaw, a psychologist and daughter of journalist Tom Brokaw released a book called Fortytude, which delved into the women turning 40.
She examined how we're thinking we're 26 in our heads but our bodies and our clocks say otherwise. Women seem more valued in their 20s. By the 30s, you're getting married, raising the kids. But in the 40s, you get a chance to reinvent yourself. You begin to measure some of what you've done--feeling successful or lacking. By 40, we have to realize we may be mentors for the younger women who're navigating the complicated business world.
On some level, by society's standards, I have reached a measure of success. However, there are still areas where I feel like a failure. But according to Brokaw, give yourself a break. The Today Show has been doing several pieces on turning 40-and how Generation Xers are embracing it all the more than our mothers have. 40 isn't old as it used to be. 40-year-olds are running marathons, companies, kids, carpools--making the best choices for themselves.
I have some photos I need to put up from my 40th birthday. Laziness in my butt. But I'll get it done.
She examined how we're thinking we're 26 in our heads but our bodies and our clocks say otherwise. Women seem more valued in their 20s. By the 30s, you're getting married, raising the kids. But in the 40s, you get a chance to reinvent yourself. You begin to measure some of what you've done--feeling successful or lacking. By 40, we have to realize we may be mentors for the younger women who're navigating the complicated business world.
On some level, by society's standards, I have reached a measure of success. However, there are still areas where I feel like a failure. But according to Brokaw, give yourself a break. The Today Show has been doing several pieces on turning 40-and how Generation Xers are embracing it all the more than our mothers have. 40 isn't old as it used to be. 40-year-olds are running marathons, companies, kids, carpools--making the best choices for themselves.
I have some photos I need to put up from my 40th birthday. Laziness in my butt. But I'll get it done.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
On The Day
This is it. Today's the day, June 16, I've been blogging about and waiting for. And it's a darkish, rainy-looking day outside. God has blessed me with his rain. I feel completely blessed by the love enveloped around me. Not just by my family--my hubby, Antonio, and our three kids, but also by my friends on Facebook, and my extended family. That's a great thing about Facebook. Your friends have this ability to really make you feel loved and special. And they're all special for it.
Today, I feel good. I'm very happy to be part of the new 40s club. I'm excited about the possibilities. I'm happy about Vickey's Kitchen, as it's a launch to a new phase in my life. I'm not leaving my day job just yet but I'm embarking on a new journey that celebrates my "Trinidadianness." One of my buds already want to buy the hot sauce. Five bucks a bottle you all.
I had to work today as I was off for the last two weeks. Each year, I keep saying I need to take off the day as my focus isn't as it should be. I want to go see Jumping the Broom, but I'll do what I have to because I really like the job and my colleagues.
So, here's to the day. Thank you, friends for following my journey. It doesn't stop here. I want to continue exploring this 40-year-old self.
Today, I feel good. I'm very happy to be part of the new 40s club. I'm excited about the possibilities. I'm happy about Vickey's Kitchen, as it's a launch to a new phase in my life. I'm not leaving my day job just yet but I'm embarking on a new journey that celebrates my "Trinidadianness." One of my buds already want to buy the hot sauce. Five bucks a bottle you all.
I had to work today as I was off for the last two weeks. Each year, I keep saying I need to take off the day as my focus isn't as it should be. I want to go see Jumping the Broom, but I'll do what I have to because I really like the job and my colleagues.
So, here's to the day. Thank you, friends for following my journey. It doesn't stop here. I want to continue exploring this 40-year-old self.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
On the Day of My Party
Big day today. I'm introducing Vickey's Kitchen at my shindig, while the real Vickey's here with us. I'm up way too early on a Saturday. But I'm ready for the 40th party to get started. Let's roll.........
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Countdown Continues
I've been remiss in keeping up with my writing. This blogging is some work. I'm not always free to pen my thoughts and yet, I feel guilty when I don't. Gee.
Anyway, it's now June 9, about a week to my June 16 birthday. I'm hosting my party on June 11, so I'm very excited about that. I haven't had my own party since my surprise 18th. What a long time; I've hosted for the kids, for the hubby, my parents and others. Not really my own. So, I'm hoping for perfection but I'll settle with lots of fun with my friends.
I plan to introduce my venture to them and hopefully, they'll become regulars of Vickey's Kitchen. It's unique idea, having people come to our home to learn Trinidadian and Tobagoian cooking. And I want to focus on organic cooking. So, Vickey's Kitchen will be in full swing as I'm consider myself a natural didact. It's not in my nature to just cook for others; but to offer them the opportunity to learn for themselves as well.
So, on June 9, here's to the countdown to my birthday. I'm embracing it for what it stands. And I live my life with goals to carry me to the other side. I realize to live a full life, it must contain goals and aspirations. Otherwise, you're not living just existing.
Anyway, it's now June 9, about a week to my June 16 birthday. I'm hosting my party on June 11, so I'm very excited about that. I haven't had my own party since my surprise 18th. What a long time; I've hosted for the kids, for the hubby, my parents and others. Not really my own. So, I'm hoping for perfection but I'll settle with lots of fun with my friends.
I plan to introduce my venture to them and hopefully, they'll become regulars of Vickey's Kitchen. It's unique idea, having people come to our home to learn Trinidadian and Tobagoian cooking. And I want to focus on organic cooking. So, Vickey's Kitchen will be in full swing as I'm consider myself a natural didact. It's not in my nature to just cook for others; but to offer them the opportunity to learn for themselves as well.
So, on June 9, here's to the countdown to my birthday. I'm embracing it for what it stands. And I live my life with goals to carry me to the other side. I realize to live a full life, it must contain goals and aspirations. Otherwise, you're not living just existing.
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