My goal is to start a conversation through my writing: to create, discover, and preserve art which breathes the essence of the artist and reaches for universal understanding.

My path is to sail the world and write from my experiences. My writing celebrates individuality in all realms. I am here because I am not a doctor, a lawyer, a politician, a professional athlete, or a pastor. I am here because of Dr.  Brenda Flanagan: a professor at Davidson College, a writer, a cultural ambassador for the U. S. Department of State, a wise Trinidadian who lives with passion and appreciation for literature and the completeness of existence. So often, we discover ourselves in unexpected ways. I wrestled Division One for Davidson, where my 12-year career came to an end due to a series of severe concussions; I thrived in the adrenaline born by competition and treasure wisdom brought forth in the face of adversity.

Wrestling taught me to be proud in my defeats and humble in my victories. Sports provided the opportunity to cross paths with Dr. Flanagan. I attended one of her classes all four semesters at Davidson; following freshman year, I shifted my focus from Political Science to English. Three semesters in, I no longer sought to become a lawyer. I discovered my identity as a writer. I hid within the secrecy of my imagination, scribbling mediocre fiction stories for the first year. As a role model, Dr. Flanagan taught me to love life for its opportunity, to take control of my own happiness, to research my beliefs, and to write with meaning: words will change the world. I transferred to the University of North Carolina Wilmington in the summer after my sophomore year.

That summer, I commandeered Daddy’s Girl, my father’s Catalina 34, named after my mother. A sailboat that housed my family for a year (I was nine and my brother 12). The boat is the essence of my greatest obsession. Living aboard full-time is not romantic, but my oldest dream breathes and lays the path of my existence: circumnavigation. As the captain of Daddy’s Girl, I extend my awareness of the vessel by completing most of the projects with my own hands: replacing the throttle and transmission cables, refinishing the teak, cleaning the winches, relining the mast, improving the head and sewage, keeping a watch over the bilge and overall cleanliness of the boat. We strengthen our bodies, so our minds realize boundless breath. In indolence, I yearn not for motivation, but discipline.

The passion, focus, and discipline required for my path, my purpose, drives Walkabout Redemption. My plan is to spend a year preparing Daddy’s Girl for her upcoming voyages and launching my career as a writer. What about my home? People ask when they hear I want to leave. Until now my response was incomplete: along the lines of, I’ll be back, or, What about it? Walkabout Redemption provided a shift in my perspective. On my voyage, I will be home. My time will be spent writing and logging hours on the sea. The two are mutually beneficial to one another and together they define me. My vision morphs them into each breath.

My commitment overshadows my lack of experience. There is no plan-B. My heading is set to make an impact on global consciousness. Divinity is seeded in my words and actions. With confidence and diligence, I work toward my goals.