Military • Travel • Technology

The Trinidad Network

Documenting travel, photography, technology, and the journey forward. Exploring the world while building a future through creativity, discipline, and technology.

New here? Watch this quick introduction to learn who I am and what The Trinidad Network is all about.

About Me

I’m a military IT specialist, traveler, photographer, and creator documenting experiences from around the world. This site is a place for photography, travel, technology, creative projects, and future business ventures.

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What’s Next?

Travel. Photography. Technology. Podcasting. Creative projects. This website is a living record of the journey forward.

Podcast:

Status: Once a month I upload new material

Travel:

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Articles

Thoughts on travel, deployment, faith, money, and personal growth.

Article: How Traveling Changed My Life

How seeing the world changed my perspective forever.

Written Interview: The Other Side of Deployment

A Military Spouse's Perspective - A written Q&A exploring deployment, loneliness, marriage, and the side of military life that service members don't always see.

How Traveling Changed My Life

Growing up, I always knew there were other countries, different cultures, and different ways of life.
If I'm being honest, though, I never thought much about them. My world was the town I grew up in,
the people around me, and the routines I knew. Even though I understood the world was much
bigger than where I lived, I never imagined that one day I would have the opportunity to travel to
different parts of it myself. Looking back now, I realize just how much traveling has changed the
way I think.
One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that people are much more alike than I once believed.
Every country has its own language, traditions, food, customs, and way of doing things. Beneath
those differences, though, people are still people. They love their families, work hard, laugh with
friends, chase their dreams, face hardships, and hope for a better future.
Before I started traveling, countries were simply places on a map. Now, when I think about those
same places, I don't think about the landmarks first. I think about the people I met there.
God has allowed me to experience cultures I probably never would have known otherwise. I've
seen people live in ways that are very different from what I grew up with. Some places move at a
slower pace. Some place a greater emphasis on family. Others value community more than
material success. None of these ways of life are necessarily right or wrong. They're simply different.
Instead of asking which culture is better, I found myself asking a different question: "What can I
learn from them?" That simple shift in perspective has been one of the greatest gifts traveling has
given me.
Traveling also made me realize that many of the beliefs and assumptions I had growing up weren't
necessarily facts. They were often the result of my environment. We all see the world through the
lens of our own experiences, so it's easy to assume everyone else lives the same way. Once you
step outside your own country and meet people from different backgrounds, you discover there are
countless ways to live a meaningful life.
One of my favorite parts of traveling hasn't actually been the places. It's been the people. I've had
conversations with complete strangers who quickly became friends. Some of those friendships
have lasted for years, even though we live thousands of miles apart. It's amazing how people from
completely different backgrounds can connect through a simple conversation, a shared experience,
or even a meal together. Those friendships remind me that the world isn't nearly as divided as it
sometimes appears.
Traveling has also challenged me personally. It has pushed me outside my comfort zone, forced me
to adapt to unfamiliar situations, and taught me to become more comfortable with uncertainty.
Every trip brings something unexpected, and I've learned that growth usually happens when we're
willing to embrace those moments instead of avoiding them.
Another lesson I've learned is gratitude. There are many things I used to take for granted that I
appreciate much more now. At the same time, I've met people who have far less than many
Americans do, yet they carry a joy, kindness, and generosity that are difficult to describe. That has
challenged me to rethink what happiness really looks like.
I've also come to appreciate how incredibly diverse God's creation is. Every culture reflects different
traditions, histories, and perspectives, yet every person is created with value and dignity. Traveling
has reminded me that there is so much more to the world than my own experiences, and I believe
that has made me a more understanding and compassionate person.
I don't think everyone needs to visit dozens of countries to benefit from travel. Even one meaningful
trip can open your eyes in ways that books, videos, or social media simply can't. There is something
about experiencing another culture firsthand that changes you.
Looking back, traveling has been one of the greatest blessings God has given me. It has given me
unforgettable memories, lifelong friendships, and a perspective on life that I don't think I could have
gained any other way.
The beautiful places I've visited are certainly part of those memories, but they aren't what changed
me the most.
The people did.
Because of them, I'll never see the world quite the same way again.

The Trinidad Network · Written Interview

FROM THE TRINIDAD NETWORK

Deployment is often talked about from the perspective of the service member. We talk about the long days, missed ports, lack of sleep, being away from home, and the challenges that come with military life.But there is another side of deployment.The people back home are also adjusting to life without their spouse physically there. They continue working, managing responsibilities, and dealing with the emotional weight of having someone they love thousands of miles away.After speaking with a fellow service member on the podcast, I wanted to hear the perspective of someone on the other side of deployment. His wife agreed to answer a few questions about her experience as a military spouse.These are her answers.

QUESTION

What has been the hardest part of having a spouse deployed?

Not having him physically with me. I miss doing little things with him. Going on dates, cuddling, holding hands. It's hard not being able to do those things whenever I please.It's also hard having to go through some things by myself. Sometimes I want to pick up the phone and call him, but I can't due to time zones or WiFi outages. It's hard not being able to talk to him at my leisure.I miss him so much.

QUESTION

What surprised you most about military life?

Having to be prepared for the unexpected. We truly are on the military's time. No matter how prepared we may think we are, we are not, lol.Having to change our wedding plans was quite an unexpected experience!Also, learning what all these different terms and acronyms mean. I'm still trying to memorize all of them. I did learn to tell military time and the phonetic alphabet!

QUESTION

How do you handle loneliness during deployment?

Hanging out with my friends and visiting my family. They definitely keep me grounded.I'm lucky to have an extremely supportive circle. They consistently check in on me to make sure I'm doing okay and ask about him to make sure he's doing okay as well.I'm also lucky to have amazing in-laws I can rely on. It's beautiful to have so much love and support. I can't thank all of them enough.

QUESTION

What helps you stay emotionally strong?

Keeping myself busy with my hobbies and therapy.I have a lot of hobbies and side quests that take up a lot of my time. Arts and crafts, amusement parks, music, movies. I always make sure I have fun things to do.Having a therapist to talk to about my feelings has been amazing for my mental health. It's nice to have a professional to talk to who can guide me through any obstacle that crosses my path.

QUESTION

How has deployment changed your marriage?

I think it has made our love stronger.We have to make sure we are clear with each other about how important and valuable our marriage is. It takes a lot of effort to show that you love and care for each other when you're in different time zones and across the world from each other.

“IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO SHOW THAT YOU LOVE AND CARE FOR EACH OTHER WHEN YOU'RE IN DIFFERENT TIME ZONES AND ACROSS THE WORLD FROM EACH OTHER.”

— A MILITARY SPOUSE

QUESTION

What do you wish more service members understood about what it's like back home?

I hope they understand how loved and missed they are. How proud of them we are that they are out there putting in the work.Despite being away from home for months at a time and away from the comfort of their own homes, they're working hard. It takes a lot of courage and sacrifice to do what they do, and it really is incredibly noble of them.

QUESTION

What advice would you give to someone about to go through their first deployment?

As a spouse, I'd say to another spouse to know that you may not be able to communicate daily.I'd say to just be supportive in any way that your sailor needs you to be. Be a listening ear, make them laugh, let them know that they are loved, and that you're looking forward to them getting back home.I also think this time around I'd send a care package to the ship before they leave so that it can get there in a timely manner with their necessities.I would also say make sure you keep yourself busy. Make sure you have hobbies and do a lot of self-care. Make sure you are taking care of yourself because you owe that to yourself.

QUESTION

What keeps you hopeful when your spouse is away?

I think about all the things that we will be able to accomplish together when he gets back.I'm so excited to do life with him, and I can't wait until he's back so we can really give into our marriage together. I can't wait to spend quality time with him again. That's what I'm looking forward to the most.I know we will have a lot of fun together when he gets back.I can't wait to beat him in go-kart racing.

QUESTION

Is there anything people often misunderstand about military spouses?

I feel like I've seen some people say that spouses are completely dependent on their sailors.I do enjoy being able to depend on him for certain things, but at the end of the day, I enjoy that this is his career and that I have my own career as well.All spouses' experiences are different, but I feel like a lot of people assume all spouses live the same lives.

QUESTION

If your spouse reads this, what's one thing you'd want him to know?

I'd want him to know how proud of him I am and how honored I am to be his wife.It has been a pleasure building this relationship with him. He is the kindest, most gentle soul, and I couldn't ask for a better partner.I'm proud of the work he does, and it's amazing to see how much he has flourished as a person, leader, and colleague in the work he does.I can't wait to see where life takes him, and I'm excited to be by his side in whatever journey life takes him on.

"HE'S THE MOST AMAZING MAN I KNOW. :)"

A NOTE FROM THE TRINIDAD NETWORK:

Reading these answers gave me a different perspective on deployment.As service members, it can be easy to focus on what we are experiencing where we are. The long days, the work, the lack of sleep, and being away from home.But the people waiting for us are going through deployment too, just from a different side of it.That's one of the reasons I wanted to share this perspective.

MILITARY LIFE AFFECTS MORE THAN THE PERSON WEARING THE UNIFORM.

HEAR MORE CONVERSATIONS:

Real conversations about military life, travel, personal growth, and the experiences that shape us.