DECEMBER 2023- S.E.S.L Newsletter by S.E.S.L

Dec 2023 Security Executive Surveillance & Law-Enforcement Limited

T R I A N N U A L

NEWSLETTER

A SHORT STORY OF CHRISTMAS AND THANKS GIVING PAGE 1 & 2

A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE PAGE 3

COPING WITH LONLINESS PAGE 4

TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS PAGE 5-6

FINISH THE LYRICS PAGE 7-8

CHRISTMAS MOVIES PAGE 9-10

THE FUN CORNER PAGE 11-12

SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT PAGE 13-14

NEW YEARS PAGE 15-16

CHRISTMAS RECEIPE PAGE 17-18

A SHORT HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS For centuries, Christmas has remained one of the most celebrated festivities on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago and the world at large. At this time of the year, people are seemingly in a more joyful mood as they delight in the hustle and bustle of the season. From the local Christmas songs that start as early as September to ‘100 days of Christmas’ countdown on 100.1 FM. Not forgetting various events held at what many people know as ‘Christmas Village’; Trinbagonians have a great lead-up to Christmas Day. On December 25th, churches, homes, and offices are decorated with beautiful lights, ornaments, and Christmas trees. People exchange gifts and cards and enjoy traditional dishes such as pastelles and black cake. It truly is a time of joy and celebration for all. According to the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) the holiday known as Christmas honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the most frequently observed celebration globally and is observed by many Christian denominations. It was said that the Old English word Cristes Masse, which means Christ's Mass, is the source of the modern name Christmas. Although the precise date of Jesus Christ's birth is unknown, most Christian calendars mark December 25 as the occasion. His life and teachings serve as the cornerstone of contemporary Christianity. In the fourth century AD, the first celebration of December 25 as Christ's birthday took place. This day was selected by Pope Julius I (337–352) because it fell on a Roman pagan holiday.

The first Sunday of Advent, which is the Sunday closest to November 30th, is when many churches officially start their Christmas season. This season lasts until

Christmas

Eve.

Advent

has

historically been a season of getting ready for Christ's birth. The twelve days

Since March 25, a pagan spring festival was thought to

of Christmas, which run from December

be the day of Jesus' conception, December 25 was

chosen as the day of his birth. It was consequently

Epiphany, which falls on January 6th, is

assumed that Jesus Christ was born on December 25th

the day that the Three Wise Men visited

by adding nine months to that date.

the infant Jesus and paid him respect.

PAGE 1

through

January

come

next.

A SHORT HISTORY ABOUT CHRISTMAS

A SHORT HISTORY OF THANKSGIVING According to the website Country Living (2023) even

though the first Thanksgiving was mentioned in 1621, it wasn't until President Abraham Lincoln's administration that the holiday started to become a yearly event in the United States. It was mentioned that at the height of the Civil War, in 1863, he proclaimed Thanksgiving a federal holiday observed on the fourth Thursday in November in an

effort

unite

the

nation.

However,

because

November began on a Wednesday in 1939, there were five Thursdays instead of four, and Thanksgiving fell on the 30th. Naturally, this has occurred previously, but President Franklin D. Roosevelt thought it was too late this time. He, therefore declared that the national holiday will be moved to the second-to-last Thursday of the month in August of that year. The writers indicated that according to Time, this generated a commotion, especially among American football coaches who were banking on holiday audiences on November 30. As if making plans with out-of-state family wasn't challenging enough, some states adopted the new Thanksgiving Day while others did not, further adding to the confusion. People who didn't like the alteration started calling the holiday “Franksgiving,” this is according to History.com. Instead of concentrating on the drawbacks, Roosevelt made an effort to defend his choice by arguing that additional time between Thanksgiving and Christmas would allow for more shopping before the joyous holiday. He was right, but it turns out he was ahead of his time—the consumer craze known as Black Friday wouldn't take off till the 1950s. The next year (1940), the move was made permanent, and Thanksgiving Day was established as the second-to-last Thursday in November. In 1941, Roosevelt apparently conceded that the changeover was a mistake, but because the calendars were already printed, it was too late to revert back. The national Thanksgiving holiday was observed on the third Thursday of the month in 1940 and 1941 because there were only four Thursdays in November during those years.

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A SHORT HISTORY ABOUT THANKSGIVING

A Christmas Miracle FINDING HOPE IN THE MIDST OF LOSS

The Richard family grew up in a small village located in the Mayaro. This was a big family which consisted of both parents and thirteen (13) children. The Richard family came from humble beginnings; the mother was a housewife and the father was a maintenance worker that worked for a security company. This family shared a two bedroom home which over the years started to deteriorate. When the older siblings would have left home over the years, the five youngest children who were still living with their parents would discuss what their dream home would look like and how many bedrooms their house will have. In the year 2003, the kids would learn that their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer; this was a hard pill for them to swallow. For the next few years, the family would see their mother and wife go through a lot as she battled cancer. They would also witness the effects of chemotherapy on her body. However, before her husband and children witnessed such events, they would come to learn that the person they called mother and wife was no longer able to walk. This came as a mystery for them all, as they did not know what could have caused such. Every time she attempted to walk with the assistance of her family, she would be in excruciating pain. A few months after losing her ability to walk, she would start walking again. However, after that miracle occurred, the effects of her cancer occurred. Her hair was falling out, her skin and nails became darker, one of her hands were swollen to the point where it had to be dressed very frequently. The mother would often time call out to Jesus and ask him for her healing; While praying for their mother, the children would sometimes become so emotional that would often leave the room crying. In November of 2006, the mother would lose her battle with breast cancer. I think that the family was somewhat prepared for such outcome, however, they were emotionally broken and the burial would cause a financial strain on them, especially their father. The mother was an introverted person that never came out much. However, the father was known in the area; he was a great man to all; he was soft spoken but yet very out-going. This alone caused people to rally around him and come together to purchase everything that he needed for the three to four nights of wake. With all that was going on, Christmas celebration was a far thought for the Richard family, however, a group of people came to know of the family’s story through one of the sons. These individuals felt a call to help, so, that Christmas season, boxes of grocery items were donated to the family. Although the family was experiencing a loss at that moment, they were reminded that there were people out there that still cared; they saw and appreciated the efforts that went into ensuring that they at least had a somewhat enjoyable Christmas. Nonetheless, the family indeed received a Christmas Miracle. PAGE 3

A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

COPING WITH LONELINESS DURING CHRISTMAS Prioritize is a leading independent provider of mental healthcare and adult social care in the UK. According to this organization, numerous Christmas-related social pressures, fuelled by social media and the idea that we must have a fantastic time, can often result in a feeling of emptiness or loneliness. They said that even without being alone, we can experience these emotions. In a Priory study on the effects of Christmas on men's mental health, it was discovered that 53% of men experience loneliness throughout the holiday season, despite being with other people.

SELF-CARE STRATEGIES FOR LONELINESS Start a daily gratitude list: Every day, list five things in your life that you are grateful for or happy about. Focusing on the positives can help to lift your mood and put you on course for a more positive long-term mind set.

Volunteer: Contrary to popular belief, there are many Christmas-related events in your neighbourhood that don't require you to be a part of a large family. One of the finest ways to meet new people and build confidence is to volunteer in your community, perhaps at a children’s home or centres for the elderly.

Be around people: Making plans can be the hardest thing to attempt when you're feeling lonely. But because we are social creatures, interacting with others gives us a must needed boost in self-esteem. Spend some time with a friend or family member that you value.

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COPING WITH LONELINESS DURING XMAS

TIPS TO LIVE BY THIS CHRISTMAS

1. PLAN YOUR CHRISTMAS BUDGET

Create a budget and stick to it if you want to reduce your Christmas spending. It's not something a Scrooge would do. It simply makes sense to act in this way. There is life and continued responsibilities after Christmas; always work within your means.

2. AVOID USING A CREDIT CARD Put money into a Christmas savings account to save for Christmas expenses rather than charging them to a credit card. By doing this, the January credit card bill shock and concern over interest payments are avoided.

3. PURCHASE ITEMS FOR FEWER INDIVIDUALS Instead of purchasing gifts for each member of your extended family, choose Secret Santa and establish a spending cap. Make a decision in advance not to exchange gifts with friends.

4. SHOP THE SALES When there are sales, purchase Christmas presents. It's a terrific idea to shop during the half-yearly sales. You don't have to worry about the stress of holiday shopping, in addition to saving money. If you don't make these sales, you can still get a lot of bargains in November and December.

5. DO NOT OVERDO THE DECORATION Even though all of us adore a home that is impeccably decorated and Insta-worthy, it is not worthwhile to spend a lot of money on decorations. To create a fresh aesthetic, repurpose your existing decorations or combine them with a few new ones.

6. PLAN A MENU IN ADVANCE AND STOCK UP Don’t spend a lot of money buying lots of groceries that you don’t need. It’s so easy to go overboard and have lots of foods that get thrown out. Plan your Christmas menu and buy non-perishable items in advance, preferably on sale.

PAGE 5

TIPS TO LIVE BY THIS XMAS

Stay Safe This Christmas Replace Old Lights & Use Them Correctly The lights undoubtedly add to the festive spirit, but they also pose a safety risk. Use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outside; turn them off whenever you leave the house or are about to go to bed. Make sure to replace any light sets with frayed or broken cables or sockets.

Be Aware Of Online Shopping Fraud Unfortunately, there is a lot of fraud throughout the holiday shopping season. Make sure the website address is spelled correctly as you shop because bogus websites with similar spelling can deceive you into providing your credit card information. Make sure the payment page address begins with "https" (the "s" stands for "secure") when checking out. Additionally, you should never open a link in an unsolicited email.

Give someone close to you a copy of your trip itinerary and photocopies of important documents If you plan to travel, you should give a family member or friend a copy of your itinerary and any relevant contact details before you depart. In this manner, whether you are leaving the house or returning home, it will be simple to contact you in case of an emergency. Additionally, give this person copies of your credit cards, passports, and any other forms of identification in case something happens to the originals and you need a copy. A different set of photocopies should be kept in your luggage as well.

Driving Under The Influence It is a known fact that individuals enjoy having a few more drinks than usual when visiting family and friends during the month of December. Simple advice: don't drive after drinking. If you decide to have a few drinks while out and about visiting people, leave the automobile there till the next morning. You can also choose to nominate a sober driver. There is also the option to use trusted car traveling services such Trinidad and Tobago Ride Share (TTRS) and All Ridi.

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STAY SAFE THIS CHRISTMAS

Finish The Lyrics CHRISTMAS EDITION

1. “All I want for Christmas” by Mariah Carey 2.“Bring out De Ham” by Marcia Miranda I don’t care about the presents _____________ I just need to be with there Santa Claus can’t make me happy Underneath the Christmas tree

Eating ham and bread Hanging up meh curtains Lying in meh bed

3.“A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives Have a holly jolly Christmas _______________ It’s the last part of this year. It’s the best time of the year. Don’t have too many cups of cheer.

4.“Trini Christmas” by Susan Macio I give him bread and ham together ______________ With some sorrel With some punch-a-crème With a pastelle

5.“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams.

6.“Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms

With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when ________________ Friends come to call Loved ones are near Hearts will be glowing

It was early Christmas morning, I was ____________

Dancing and prancing in jingle bell square in the _________________ Cold winter day Midnight moonlight Frosty air

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FINISH THE LYRICS

Finish The Lyrics CHRISTMAS EDITION - ANSWERS

Eating ham and bread Hanging up meh curtains Lying in meh bed

3.“A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Burl Ives Have a holly jolly Christmas _______________ It’s the last part of this year. It’s the best time of the year. Don’t have too many cups of cheer.

4.“Trini Christmas” by Susan Macio I give him bread and ham together ______________ With some sorrel With some punch-a-crème With a pastelle

5.“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams. With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when ________________ Friends come to call Loved ones are near Hearts will be glowing

It was early Christmas morning, I was ____________

6.“Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms Dancing and prancing in jingle bell square in the _________________ Cold winter day Midnight moonlight Frosty air

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FINISH THE LYRICS ANWERS

SOME MUST SEE CHRISTMAS MOVIES

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Home Alone The Nightmare Before Christmas

Last Holiday PAGE 9

MUST SEE CHRISTMAS MOVIES

A Christmas Carol

Jingle Jangle

Jack Frost PAGE 10

MUST SEE CHRISTMAS MOVIES

THE FUN CORNER

PAGE 11

FUN CORNER

PAGE 12

FUN CORNER

S.E.S.L

SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT SESL prides itself on encouraging employee engagement and developing the communities where we are present.

HSSE WEEK

Our HSSE week showcased our collective commitment to health, safety, security, and the environment. We elevated workplace well-being through a successful Blood Drive, bolstered our digital resilience with a Cyber Security Webinar, and reinforced safety with Defensive Driving and First Aid initiatives. The Seed Distribution further planted the seeds of sustainability. Let's carry this momentum forward, creating a workplace that prioritizes health, security, and environmental consciousness.

FIRST AID TRAINING

BLOOD DRIVE

SEEDLING DISTRIBUTION

DEFENSIVE DRIVING PAGE 13

SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT

S.E.S.L

SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT

TREE PLANTING EVENT WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY WA SAMAKI ECOSYSTEM, FREEPORT.

BEACH CLEAN UP SHIVA GANA ORGANIZATION 2023

S.E.S.L. FUN DAY& COOKING CLASH 2023

A GIFT OF LOVE ANNUAL XMAS CHILDREN’S EVENT THE SCHMIDT GROUP

PAGE 14

SOCIAL IMPROVEMENT

Happy New Year Life might be unpredictable and its roads are often unknown, But in your hands you hold power, In your hands you hold the keystone. The New Year is like a blank book, Your chance to write a beautiful story, One that transcends but is in no way, transitory. You are stepping into a new era filled with unwavering aspirations, Your dreams are about to come through, Be prepared to exceed your highest expectations. The past year might have been filled with hardships, But let the very thing that broke and tested you, Be the same thing that mould and strengthens you. In the New Year do not copy and paste but alter, edit and delete, Shift aside negative thinking, No more fading into the background, no more accepting defeat. Change your approach and broaden your view, Let your heart replete with joy and endless delight, Be kind to yourself, start afresh at the struck of midnight. By Peter Duntin PAGE 15

POETRY CORNER

NEW YEAR AFFIRMATIONS 2024 1. This year is going to be a great and wonderful year for me. 2. This year, my dreams are coming true. 3. Every day I am becoming a better version of myself. 4. I start the new year, and continue every day, sending and receiving peace and love. 5. A wonderful, productive, and successful time is starting now. 6. I choose to be happy every day of this new year. 7. I am the creator of my own happiness. I’m ready to take responsibility and do what it takes to start living my dream life. 8. I’m going to only focus on things I can control and let go of worry about the rest. 9. 2024 is a year of wonderful surprises, good decisions, and creative solutions. 10. I am creating financial abundance, a healthy body, and positive relationships in 2024.

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NEW YEAR AFFIRMATIONS

Christmas Recipe Black Cake Ingredients: ¼ Cup Prunes, deseeded ¼ Cup Cherries ¼ Cup Raisins or Currants ¼ Cup Mixed Peel ¾ Cup Dark Rum ½ Cup Cherry Brandy 8 Oz Butter (Room Temperature) 1 1/3 Cups Brown Sugar 4 Large Eggs 1 Tsp Almond Essence 1 Tsp Vanilla Essence 2 Cups Flour 2 ¼ Tsp Baking Powder 2 Tsp Cinnamon Powder ¾ Tsp Nutmeg Powder ½ Tsp Elychee Powder (Cardamom)

To Soak Cake: ½ Cup Dark Rum ¼ Cup Cherry Brandy

Zest of an Orange 1/3 Cup Browning ¼ Cup Chopped Almonds

Happy Baking! PAGE 17

CHRISTMAS RECIPE

Christmas Recipe Directions: 1.In a deep medium bowl, add in the prunes, cherries, raisins, mixed peel and pour in the dark rum and cherry brandy. Mix well and allow fruit to soak in alcohol for a minimum of three days straight up to many months. (If soaking for numerous months, be sure to top up with more alcohol as fruits will absorb it as time goes by). Cover bowl and place to soak for your selected period of time. 2.Place fruits and its liquor into a food processor and process until semi coarse in texture, somewhat similar to a liquid paste consistency. Set aside. 3.Place either the beater or paddle attachment onto your stand mixer and in the mixing bowl; add in the softened butter, and sugar. On high speed, cream ingredients until light, fluffy and batter has increased in volume. (About five minutes) 4.On medium speed, add in the eggs one at a time just until they are all incorporated evenly into batter. 5.Switch machine off and using a rubber spatula, clean the sides of the bowl to allow all ingredients to thoroughly combine. 6.Into a separate bowl, sift the dry ingredients such as the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and elychee in. Set aside. 7.Place mixer back on to low speed and add in almond and vanilla essences as well as the addition of the sifted flour in two or three portions simultaneously as the machine runs. 8.Turn machine off and add in the orange zest, processed fruits and the browning. Place machine back onto low speed and allow ingredients to mix well ensuring to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Do not mix batter too much, just until fruits are evenly combined then turn off mixer. 9.Preheat oven to 280 degrees Fahrenheit. 10. Prepare a 9-inch spring form pan by greasing with some softened butter then dusting lightly with flour. Cut a circular piece of grease proof paper that fits the circumference of pan’s base and carefully lay inside. Pour fruit cake batter into the pan, then tap gently against the counter to settle the batter evenly. 11. Place cake pan into the oven on the middle rack and bake for about 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a toothpick or skewer, inserted in the cake, comes out clean. If still gooey, return cake back into oven for an additional 10 to 15 minutes and monitor so it doesn’t burn. 12. Meanwhile, in a small bowl; mix the ingredients to soak the cake. 13. When cake is done, let sit for 10 minutes to cool. Using a skewer, pierce the surface area of cake to create minute holes. Drizzle or brush the alcohol mixture all over the cake to allow the alcohol to soak in. 14. Allow cake to rest until completely cool, then slice and enjoy. 15. You can also continue to soak the cake a few more times over the course of the next few days to allow it absorb more alcohol and truly become stronger in flavour before slicing. This I recommend fully. Be sure to keep cake tightly covered in the pan as to prevent it from drying up.

Happy Baking! PAGE 18

CHRISTMAS RECIPE