Happy New Year! And as we all bask in the first day of the 2014, having probably spent all of yesterday reflecting on 2013, we now look ahead to the days and months ahead.The T&T Guardian usually highlights the hopes of others for the new year, but this year we decided to stay at home. From within the GML group, employees shared with us some of their most memorable moments of 2013 and revealed some of their hopes for 2014.Business Editor Suzanne Sheppard said her most memorable experience of 2013 was visiting Grenada, the birthplace of her mother, over the Carnival weekend. "The highlight was going to Grenville where my family is from and seeing the place where my mother grew up, connecting with members of my family who still live there. Grenada is a green, beautiful island and I am very proud of my roots there."
She said looking forward to 2014, she will do everything better."I want to do everything better. I believe there is always room for improvement, so my personal and professional goals are to be better in every way–a better wife, a better mother, a better journalist and a better person."As a returning national, Features Editor Franka Philip, having lived in the UK for 13 years, found there was a lot that T&T should be proud of even in the midst of the many social ills."2013 was my first full year back in T&T. I had the chance to appreciate some things in this country that I had previously taken for granted," she said."But after a year of hearing about shocking crimes, corruption, disingenuous politicians and all that negativity, I still believe this country still has a lot of humanity. "In our pages, we've had the pleasure of featuring organisations like Feel, Couva Children's Home and Crisis Nursery, Starlite for Humanity and create.future.good. These are all NGOs that are making a difference for those who have the least power in the society."Look at the work that the T&T Film Company, the T&T Film Festival, Animae Caribe and Green Screen are doing to promote local film and film making. This year, we can be heartened by the success of films like Home Again, God Loves The Fighter and Something About Wendy."But as Film Company CEO Carla Foderingham is constantly saying, we need to show the work on more outlets. Show more local films on the ferry to Tobago, in public spaces and on our own local television channels during prime time."
She also highlighted the efforts the youth of T&T had made to affect positive change in 2013."I was particularly impressed with the Spoken Word Collective–2Cents Movement. Their videos represent so much of what our younger generation has to say."Also, the young designer Seon Thompson, who brought us his range of icons T-shirts. Music producer Keshav Singh, who as part of the British-based production team Jus Now, has been blending soca and rapso with other genres to produce a fantastic fusion that's been well received in Europe. Jus Now is behind the produced soca/house/drum and bass vibe of Bunji Garlin's 2014 hit Truck on D Road, that's been a favourite on radio and in parties."Her commitment to her department for 2014, is to showcase more of what T&T has to offer in the feature pages.Metro Magazine Editor Laura Dowrich is what you would describe as a 'larger than life' type of person. She knows when to put in work, but she also knows how to incorporate fun on the job without losing focus. For her 2013 most memorable experience, she recalls the week spent in the Mediterranean covering the Diageo Reserve Global Bartending finals, especially because it fulfilled her lifelong wish to party in Ibiza.
For the new year, she says: "My motto is to be FEARLESS, and I look forward to welcoming my third child."Chris Boynes, former programme administrator/announcer at Vibe City 105.1FM, said he has no regrets about the past year and welcomes 2014 with an open mind and heart. "Each year brings new possibilities. I indeed want to take my career to a different level, based on my maturity in the business so I am working on that," Boynes said.He said the most memorable moment of 2013 was celebrating his mother's 90th birthday."It was a fantastic experience, costly but fantastic," Boynes joked."My family and I threw her the biggest birthday event you can think about. We really made her the star of the show. She was treated like a queen, we even had a tiara to crown her with."My colleagues George Gonzales and Errol Fabien came through and they sang the Vibe City 105 official birthday song for her, which she enjoyed thoroughly. Vicar General Monsignor Christian Pereira, of the archdiocese, also joined the celebrations in delivering a special prayer for her."
Sharon Rekha is one of the smooth voices heard daily on Sangeet Radio 106.1FM. Keeping it short and sweet, she said 2013 was a good year for her and in 2014 she expects to have an equally good year. And she shared this secret: "In 2014 I would probably start to wash my car for myself, and more often too."Slam 100.5FM, radio deejay/soca artiste Akil "5Star" Borneo said as the year closed yesterday, he thanked God for life, good health and strength."2013 was a good year, it could have been better but I have this year to make up for that," he said.Stating that there was no particular memorable moment for him in 2013, Borneo said every opportunity he got to do what he loves, which is performing and working on air, was a blessing.For 2014, he says: "I want to spend more time with my family and take my career to a higher level."
News anchor and journalist Khamal Georges of CNC3 is thanking God for a blessed year in 2013. He said his greatest and most memorable moment was the opportunity to travel to South Africa to cover the death of former South-African President Nelson Mandela."That was very moving for me to be part of such an historic event," said Georges.Being promoted to the position of anchor man was also a huge step. "I appreciate the company for recognising my abilities and trusting me with such a responsibility," he said.He hopes to become more involved in charitable work. "I feel I have been blessed so much that I am at the point in my life where giving back is important to me."