Ah, how good it feels...the hand of an old friend" by Mary Englebright.

In this brief life we have friends come and go. Some pass through your life and others stay for life. I am very lucky to have two friends that define the ultimate meaning of friendship. Life in eachother's company was too short and now that we're thrown in different corners of the earth, it makes me reminisce and cherish the times we had together...and boy did we have some good times together!

We were all high school friends, but I knew Kavita's face before that. We use to go to the same after-school lessons and when I saw her at orientation, it took a while to remember where I saw her before. Cindy and Kavita were closer in Providence but when I moved back home to go to school there, I met up with them for the first time in the library and our first topic of conversation - "Are you playing carnival?!" Words can't describe the fun we had together in those 2 years I was back home. We were inseparable. I knew in the moment I was living the best days of my life. No bills, no job, no worries! My biggest daily concern was what time Kavita was coming to take me to lunch. Carnival was our yearly highlight and we would plan months ahead. My biggest joy would be for us to all pick out our costumes and accessories together. The Carnival fetes were indescribable fun and Carnival Monday & Tuesday were total days of bliss for us...dancing and drinking till our feet blistered.

Then the worst happened. Kavita & Cin got into a humungoid fight and stop speaking for 4 years. Imagine that! 4 years. By this time, I was living in Florida again and up to this day, I can't tell you exactly what happened because I wasn't there. Neither of them would relent and it was tough being in the middle. When I would visit Trinidad and go to parties, I would have to go back and forth between them. I never gave up trying to make them reconcile their petty differences. Four years later, it finally happened. Last week Cin did some soul searching and reached out to Kavita, who now lives in England, via email. Kavita was so thrilled, surprised but happy that Cin wrote her and they both apologized for the rift. Let's just say Christmas came early for me and I can't wait to go back home and revel in their company again like the good ole days!

Even though we're all strewn in different continents now we still keep in touch and I'm up to date with their daily drama and life events...I won't have it any other way! What I love the most is that when we speak or meet up it's like we pick up where we left off and not a moment has passed inbetween. It's a familar comfort that I get when I'm with them. I hope it never changes!
Here are some memorable pics of us at our favorite time in the year:

My first year playing carnival. This picture made the Carnival magazine!
Me & Cin taking a 5 on the pavement!
Gearing up for the stage
At a carnival fete with Marsha
Another magazine pictorial of us with no behavior
This was when we went Tobago to chill-lax after carnival. God, that was a great trip!

He's Melllllllttttinnnggggg!!!

Today marks one week that Lee's been on his diet and we're proud to announce that he's lost 10 lbs so far! It's unbelievable actually, and it's surreal to see the numbers on the scale. I'm happy to report that he's doing well and this initial weight loss has encouraged him to keep up the hard work. He could eat about everything, but alot of emphasis is put on his portions. For example, for lunch today he got 1/4 cup red beans, 1 cup of salad and 1/4 cup pork. I've NEVER fed anybody, especially Lee, such controlled amounts. I usually ladle rice by the pot spoons! He's also taking appetite suppressants and the injections of HGC (don't ask me what it stands for). Whatever it is, it's definitely working. The real challenge however would be when he stops the shots and is down to his ideal weight. This diet has really shown us how much he (and I) over-eat.
The first week was difficult for me in terms of having the control to measure out his food. I love to see Lee eat to his heart's content, and giving him 1/4 cup of beans destroys me. It's a challenge for me to also not cook so much food; I'm ending up with alot of leftovers that's clogging up my fridge! This weekend we sat down and planned out all his meals, so it's easier for me to cook the lunches and dinners minus the headache of wondering what to make.
We're starting week 2 so I'll keep you in the loop as he melts!

Goodbye Chunkers

Some of Lee's nicknames from college include "Big Country" and "Big Lee". He is a big guy, and it's what people mostly identify and describe him by. He does not take it personally and wears his size sometimes like a badge of honor....proudly on display. He's 6'5 and when I met him, 350 lbs. Over the last two years, he's dropped 35-40 lbs on his own through frequent exercise and less "outside" food. If you know Lee, you know he's athletic; Played football in college, completed a triathlon, plays basketball, and always on the go. I always tell him he's the fastest, fat guy that I know. It's a compliment because he's always the one 1/2 mile ahead of me when we run, beats me in any swim race, and is like a horse on the bike.

However, since he lost 40 lbs, his weight has plateaued, and the last year has been really hard for him to lose significantly. His ideal weight would be anything under 300 lbs...numbers he hasn't seen since middle school! If I had to guess his problem, I would guess that it would be portion control. Sometimes I get so mad at him when I'm physically fighting him not to have seconds, or so pissed off he at the entire pint of Starbucks ice cream (I didn't talk to him for days after the ice cream incident!)

He's been talking about a friend at work who is on the Transformations Diet. It's where you receive shots (yes, injections) of B Vitamins and appetite suppressants along with a regimented food plan. I've heard of it before, and have no doubt that he will drop weight like crazy, but was skeptical on how long it would last, the costs, and the side effects. However, after much research and talking he decided to make his appointment to start this process.

I have also been skeptical about it for my own selfish reasons. Lee's size to me is endearing; he's a bull in a china shop in the kitchen and looks hilarious gyrating his waist to Soca! I can't imagine him 50 lbs lighter and more importantly, who am I gonna enjoy all my favorite food with?!? I love to feed Lee; he loves everything I cook and it's fun to eat with him. This could only mean one thing - that I'll have to diet alongside him to keep him motivated. Nonetheless, I'm still excited for him to reach his goal weight.

I'll keep you guys updated with his weight loss regime. I'll take before, during, and after pictures to document his journey to skinny-hood! Wish us luck!

Lee drunk as hell in Key West back in 2006 (don't worry, I know the girl!)


He'll probably kill me for putting this up!
Lee minus a chin in 2009!