DOWNTOWN KINGSTON: THE REAL JAMAICAN EXPERIENCE

I often say to people that you have not really visited Jamaica unless you have gone to down town Kingston and I am sticking to my words.


When I first visited Jamaica as a student, there were several places that were mentioned in a bleak, dark way because of the crime rate. Downtown Kingston was one. While some persons just asked that you be cautious and vigilant, others rake fear into you as if it something bad always happened there. So when I visited downtown for the first time, I was quite nervous and anxious. I jumped in fear if someone brushed passed me and I tried earnestly to shop very quickly and get out. Two more visits in the bargaining center of Jamaica finally led to a different conclusion. Downtown Kingston has a culture of its own and to me, it is a true representation of the heart of the Jamaican people.

I visited downtown almost every other Saturday for the last 3 years and I enjoyed every experience. The sales are quite good, although quite recently, possibly due to the increase traffic and comfort of persons in downtown, prices have been on the rise or can be described as quite similar to uptown. Still, there are bargains to be had on the streets and even in the stores. Sellers are prepared to give you a discount and to add a little 'brawta' to products that you may buy whether onions, oranges, potatoes etc. Downtown Kingston is indeed one of my favourite places in Jamaica and it is not because I love drama.  I simply love the atmosphere and the culture of the people. Jamaicans know how to hustle and they are not lazy. The streets of downtown will, on a Saturday, be lined with males, females and children just selling clothes and shoes. They will clap their hands, jumped and shout the prices at you as you pass. The atmosphere is filled with shouts of 'undred dollar, come get yo look good pants, sale out etc etc. Stores compete with each other with music and DJs announcing bargains and I just simply love their spiritedness of the people. Downtown has a culture of its own which I truly appreciate. So when my brother visited me recently, I had to take him to downtown Kingston because to me, it is a true depiction of the Jamaican people and their culture. His response was, 'Now this feels like Jamaica'.

Downtown is where you see the strength and joy of the Jamaican people in the midst of their struggles. It is clear that life is quite hard as persons travel on foot with their clothes or use hand carts to go around the town and sell.


Persons sell just about every and anything and do it with great pleasure. Men selling panties and shoes, some selling bag juice, make-up, soap powder, colgate etc and not in any large amount. Often times, you will meet persons only selling one type of item.


These vendors also have to contend with issues relating to use of space. While they wish to sell their goods where the pedestrian traffic is high in areas such as Beckford Street, and will often spread blue tampoline  and lay their items on top, this is an illegal practice and often times they have to take speed when police approaches to avoid losing their goods.


The best vendors are in downtown. You may enter a store and cannot leave without buying something because the persons are willing to drop the price or are just simply good at convincing you to get an item. Sometimes you are walking the street and can only glimpse the goods quickly to prevent them from drawing you in with "Me nar charge yo fi look" because if you get closer to properly examine their items, they will use their tactics to convince you to buy. Indeed, you are not being charged to look.

You can also get your hair, nails and eyebrows done right in the heart of downtown, right on Princess Street. This is where all the fashionistas are and you will recognize them as soon as you see them. Not simply because you will see the service being rendered, but mainly because of the lighter complexion, colourful, complex hairstyles and long eyeslashes and painted nails of these service providers.


Then there is the language fuelled by their strong Kingstonian accent. When a foreigner visits Jamaica, we are often fascinated with the strong Jamaican accent. I remember when I was in high school on the small island of St.Vincent, we were told that we were going to have a Jamaican Literature teacher. We were all excited as Jamaica has some wonderful short stories that we simply loved, but when we were introduce to the teacher and she addressed us, she quickly saw our disappointment. She explained that she was from uptown Jamaica and the people there had a different accent. It was the first time, I learnt about uptown and downtown, but for certain, I was disappointed. That was not a Jamaican accent! Imagine my excitement when I visited downtown Jamaica and I listen to the stress in the names and the words as the downtown Kingstonians speak to each other. I will listen to the men talk and it intrigues me...Soon Forward, Soon Come, eeeeeee, ah that me ah pree, Yea Mon, likkle more. To many Jamaicans, this is normal and they may even avoid it as they rise to high society. However, to foreigners like myself, this is true 'Jamaicanness'. It marks the uniqueness of the Jamaicans from others simply through language. It is a product for tourism development as while some may not understand what is being said, they are still fascinated by the Jamaican language. It is strange the little things that are at times taken for granted.

An article like this can never really appreciate the beauty of downtown Kingstown, which is also illustrated in the rich cultural heritage seen in the buildings. So to give you a little glimpse, this article is also fill with pictures and  a shortvideo that I took while in downtown this Christmas season.

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Is it a big deal if your spouse looks at another woman?

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There is a lot of drama in relationships because one party makes their eyes go where they shouldn't. Many times, women get upset or maybe even angry if they caught their man looking at another woman. Should they be? I often asked myself.

 I think at times it is dependent on how secure you feel in the relationship. Depending on how secure you feel, it would not worry you if your spouse looks at another lady. Nevertheless, there are many women who have been cheated on and still remain with their boyfriends, some even go as far as marrying their cheating boyfriends and then expect miracles afterwards. Hence, they continue to live in a state of drama, worry and fear. If his eyes cross to the other side, they vex. I do not think they should be. If you are with a cheating man and you know that and in front of you or in your companionship he looks on another woman, to vex, to me is  waste of time. What do you expect from  a cheater? Some women will say have a little respect when they are around. To me, respect is bigger than that. Why sell yourself short to say, babes, please respect me when I am here and do not stare at women like that. Basically, you are saying, you can do it behind my back.

My major reason, however is what I have seen in my own experiences. On the beach, in the street and other places, there are times that I were the first to look on another woman, even before my husband looks, if he looks at all. I also at times point his attention to some of these ladies and start a discussion of having a daughter dress that sexy and going out in the street. There are some beautiful ladies out there, who are super sexy and some times, I look and in my head I say, her skin smooth eh, or her stomach flat eh or wow, those clothes look hot on her.  Can you blame the man for looking? If as a straight woman, they make me look, isn't the man human too? Does looking mean that you want to get in bed? 

I am convinced though that some women's dress in a way to make any weak man fall, some of these weak men even rape and I am not in any way saying that the men have a right to rape woman who dress provocatively and look hot. I am simply saying that there are some already messed up men out there that if you help them a long with your provocative dressing, they will rape you... that's how sexy a lot of women are. They make other women look, they make strong men look, weak men look, pastors look, politician look and at the end of the day we are all human, just looking. It doesn't have to mean a thing... not lust, the need to get closer, nothing. Can 'just looking' be helped when a sexy looking person cross your pathway?

To be cheated on by your Christian spouse...

It is not easy falling in love and getting married, only to live a life with a man or woman who is cheating, especially if that person is suppose to be a Christian. As Christians at times, when two non-Christians get married or one Christian and a non-Christian and  the non-Christian cheats, we say things like what you expect, he/she needs the Lord, they should have seen it coming etc However, when it is two Christians and one cheats, we are lost for words, or say, he/she was never saved. Still my focus is not on the cheating, but what happens after, how it affects the other partner.

It seems that some Christian ladies and males become so distraught when their Christian spouses cheat that it shakes their very own Christianity. Some end up backsliding and I wonder why. Is it because they want to remarry and their church is against divorce? Is it that the core of their relationship with Christ was dependent on their relationship with their spouse? Is it that they are so angry and bitter against their spouse that to go to church and remain in Christ creates extra stress because they cannot forgive or don't want to? Is it the need for sex? There could be so many reasons and one can even understand some of the reasons, but is the lost of one relationship with their spouse worth the lost of their relationship with God?

Growing up in church, even when I was not a Christian or live a committed life, I knew that I wanted a husband who was a Christian. I wanted a family that will go to church together and pray together. I did not want to leave my husband at home and I got that when I get married, but I also bear in mind that a human is a human and even when you have a beautiful relationship, disruptions sometimes take place that you did not foresee even when you thought you were most vigilant. Hence, an important part of my life was to make God the centre of attraction. I tell myself as sweet, loving and caring my husband is, I do not know what the future holds and although I want us to have a 'til death do us part' experience, it might not happen. Should my relationship ends before such time, God forbid, my prayer is find refuge in my true love, Christ, to draw close to him and get so wrapped up in him and his works that I will receive the healing of the heart that is needed to get over my spouse. I urge every married Christian couple to evaluate exactly where Christ is in their life in comparison to their spouse. You might think he is first, but when you start your evaluation, you realize Christ is second and should this be the case, the lost of a husband/wife may mean the lost of your relationship with Christ.

Re-adjusting after University

How many persons find it difficult to re-adjust after returning home from university? I know I cannot be alone on this. After you spent years in another country or another part of your country depending on the size, living on your own, learning new things, observing new cultures and developing your identity, it is difficult.

At the university, I attended, there are students who do not seem to want to leave school. They may find themselves stretching out one degree, switching from degree to degree, doing more than one first degrees and when they finish school, there are some who return on evenings after work to lime on the campus. 

You see, many of us were living at home with our parents before leaving for university. For some, we never spent no big amount of time away from home and probably were sheltered with overprotective parents. So when we get to university, especially in another country, it was a new life. 

There are many whose lives are directionless after university. We return to our country only to see things have changed tremendously or it is still the old, plain, boring country or state we have left. We tried to live in our old homes, but it is hard...maybe it's too noisy, maybe our parents have not seen how we have changed and matured and still want to treat us like their young child, maybe there we do not feel free...The places to visit, may no longer interest us, our old friends might have changed...

How is it for you after leaving university? And most importantly, what aided in your readjustment?

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Misconceptions: What would you add?

• Once you are from a foreign country, you are rich. Yea right!
• All Africans are black
• All Asians are Chinese
• The Caribbean is one place. Ever heard, "I'm going to the Caribbean?"
• Once you have enough money, you'll be happy. 
• All chinese know karate lol 

You can add your own, if you have or ever observe any. And remember to like the blog.

Riding First Class: My first experience

Well I am usually one to ride economy as it is what I can afford. However, I travelled First Class to Jamaica recently because it was the only flight available and I wish to share why persons may choose First Class even though it is expensive.

At the airport, besides having your luggage tagged First Class, you are given a pass for a lounge within the airport designated to you who are SPECIAL to them. I did not use it as it was up some stairs and I was not feeling well enough to climb stairs.

Then there is the in-flight service...

As soon as you sit on the plane, you are greeted by your name and offered a glass of fruit juice. Then you are given a menu with drinks and entrees to choose from. Throughout the journey you can be sipping on champagnes, liquors, fruit juices, wines etc I looked at the lady next to me as she seem to want to get her money worth. I said to myself, she wouldn't be able to stand when this plane landed. 

We had lunch in style too. First, you are brought a hot towel to wipe and clean your hands. You are on your own in economy class :) Then the attendants came by in their most courteous of tone, to find out our entree order. Our choices...Roti and curry chicken, lamp chops with potato and  steamed fish with roasted potatoes. You are also given garden salad and bread roll (choice between wheat and white) and then out comes the airline branded silverwares and table cloth.Yea! 

When think of it, your mouth can be going throughout the flight sipping on something. The only disappointment is no dessert. I found that out when the same lady next to me asked lol. Well we paid for it. Would I do it again? Maybe with my husband, once per year or 2 years lol. I can only afford economy, but for my one time, First Class was a nice treat.

Respecting and Supporting Teachers

http://www.zazzle.com

This morning, my husband, a teacher by profession, got a call from a parent asking him to assist her child with SBA (it was suppose to be done, before school went on holidays, but he wasted time). Let me say here that teachers are on 'vacation'. I immediately remembered while I was home, on two occasions, I heard two different parents talked about they couldn't wait for the holidays over to 'get rid of' their children and the holidays of teachers being so long. 

How come teachers can have a child for 9 months during the year, for most of the day if I should add and  a parent cannot seem to be able to stand their child/children for 2 little months? I guess only teachers can have that question or parents can understand it, but as a teacher I am baffled. I am baffled at the parent who called my husband bright and early this morning to get him to come down school to assist her child with SBA, even though I understand he might need some extra help. It is just that being a teacher myself, I get the impression that many think that the 2 months holiday is too long or when you are on it you have nothing else to do but think about when the time will end so that you can go back to teach. I feel deeply that many persons do not understand the job of a teacher and the workload the position carries.

Let me share who a teacher is and what a teacher does based on my personal experience.

We are teachers whose work does not end at 3pm when we might leave school. There is not enough time in the hours given on the job to carry out the job description, which includes lesson plans, teaching, disciplining,counselling, marking and club/sporting duties etc. We are also parents to these very children. I remembered distinctly one parents' day, I spoke to a parent about her son, seeking some assistance from the mother of the child in disciplining the child, the mother instead asked for my help as the teenager would reach in the house at night though school finishes at 3pm. I realised then that I had more power than the parent as she begged me please to help her. I also found out that there are students who trust, respect and listen to teachers more than their own parents. Believe it or not. The things we have to listen to and counsel these students about and the encouragement a good teacher would give to motivate their students to excel, some parents never give to their children. 

Still there are times, when parents come with their child on their child's words without even seeking the entire truth from both sides, ready to 'beat up' teachers, our salaries are still small and the 'vacation' given throughout the year still seems too much for us. About that vacation, I choose to put it inverted commas because at any time we can be called during that time for workshops etc. It is not really ours. We are still expected to apply for our true vacation, but we are expected to apply when school is out. Aren't we then restricted? Hmmm.That is not an issue still. What I would request though is respect and support for teachers and when school is out, give us the time to spend with OUR families with no interruptions. 

100M OLYMPICS LONDON 2012- JAMAICA ALL THE WAY

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles

I love track and field. It is probably the only sport I can watch LIVE without getting bored.

So I listened as the women's 100m final was announced. Pryce was my girl to the end. I watched the Semis leading up to it and I knew Jetter would have been the competition, but she pushed hard in the Semis while my Pryce simply cruised. So I figured even if she should win, she would have to work EXTREMELY hard. 

The ladies were ready to race, but no way were they as scared as I was. I could not sit, I could not stand. I went to the foot of my husband, palms covering my eyes. I peered through my fingers as the shot went off, it was somewhere in the middle of the race, I realised my hands were no longer over my eyes, but I am not sure if I was breathing. The next thing I knew I was screaming through sounds of screams, shouts, horns etc in Jamaica. Yes!!! Pryce had won and to all who thought differently I said "Pryce to the World"

My next big race was the men's 100m. This would have been my favourite because I love to see men run. I watched Asafa slowed down in his Semis as if he never wanted to win or maybe he thought he was way out front or maybe he never wanted to compete in the finals under so much pressure, I don't know, but I found it strange he slowed down to third position, then had to wait to be a fastest loser. 

www.newswip.com

I then watched Bolt flew past his competitors and when he slowed down, I knew he had reasons to, after all he was a metre or more in front his competitors. I looked for to the Semis with Blake, the beast and Gay. Of course Blake was going to win, but again I could not breathe, I could not watch and then CURRENT  WENT... JPS ARE YOU SERIOUS? I was so upset. I am in Jamaica, the fastest runners are Jamaicans, how can JPS (the electrical company), do this to meeeeeeeeeee.....

You know I had to watch the replay later that day, but it was not the same. I had gotten the information via facebook and BBM before. I knew who the winner was. Hmmm... I welcomed the anxiety and the adrenalin rushing through my veins during these track and field. I like not being able to sit, wanting to use the bathroom, afraid to look, covering my eyes with my hands or a blouse...JPS took that away from me, but still I salute the Jamaican runners. You did again!!! To Asafa....ar boy!

Nature Lover: Natural Therapy for All

Maybe it is because I am a Geographer, but there is something about landscapes; mountains, hills and valleys, beaches and oceans that just make me happy and satisfy with simply living. I visited the community of Fancy in St.Vincent and the Grenadines recently to conduct some field research and though it was tiresome going to different households, the best part was photographing different aspects of the landscape even those unrelated to my research.

Sunset (Fancy)

Coconut palms waving in the breeze, with the rushing oceans beneath, during the day, then as the evening sun sets there was a splendour of colours and I fell in love with the beauty. How can I live outside of the Caribbean, I thought, and should I leave for work, how long can I stay away? Cascading mountains with its green lush vegetation, mangoes and oranges, avocados and sweet potatoes...yes country life, real sweet. I remember my childhood running up and down hills, climbing plumrose and plum trees and where I can't climb, I ask people to throw down one for me. The years I'll never trade even though my childhood was never perfect. Those days I pay little attention to the beauty of the hillside and the moutains, but I knew without them I could not have looked back today and say what a wonderful childhood I had.

Owia mountain view

Then I travel back to Owia, just before Fancy  just for a day and I felt free; free from the hustle and bustle of city life, free from work, free my problems and burdens. The man who farm impressed me because it was he who climbed the mountains and hills daily and push his fingers through the dirt that produce the fruits and other food I eat. It was him who sat on the mountain top and can look down on the village and enjoy the view or take in the fresh breeze that is so much different than when you are at the bottom. I went to the Salt Pond and I was alone and I was happy. I took pictures of the fishes in the pond, the birds that flew, the water beating on the rocks and again the mountains that surround it. So I bathe in the pond and from the pond I went to the river and bathe as if I was reliving my childhood and for those moments spent in the country side I was happy. I am a nature lover. 

Owia Saltpond

 Maybe you never take time out before just to enjoy what is around you. Take a look and free your mind of all your thoughts and emotions, think only of enjoying what is before you, Breathe slowly and deeply, Smell the flower, Concentrate on the landscape...Don't you feel the difference? Just as the birds of the air do not worry about tomorrow, what they should eat etc, Why should you? Pay attention to the natural therapy offered by what is around you.

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NO WHERE TO SIT IN KINGSTOWN!!!

http://blog.travelpod.com/

I love my island very much, but sometimes I wonder what the developers and urban planners are thinking? It seems as if the need for public spaces are not high on the agenda. Instead the little spaces that were once used are secured from the public. Have you gone to Kingstown lately and did some shopping? Where did you sit when you get tired? I guess you might have done like me and go to a restaurant, buy something to eat or drink and sit a little or go into a shoe store, sit and try on shoes until your back is well rested.

Outside of shopping, where in Kingstown can you sit and relax with your friends? I use to sit at the Old Carnegie Public Library, but I have noticed that it is properly secured from the public so that no one can get in there to sit. Maybe it is because it is viewed as a heritage site, but excluding the public in this way...I do not agree. Now Bank of St.Vincent, the new building off heritage square, placed a few benches in its vicinity, but when the bank closed the security personnel would be sure to inform you that if you are not using the ATM you cannot sit there. I have had my experience. It would be real nice if the capital, the busiest area on the island during the week, have some seats that persons can just relax from time to time. The situation is terrible. Is it an issue with finding space or improper planning? I wonder if the situation is the same with other small islands. 




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Big man, really? All that is big about him is his age!!!

The problem I have with big men is when they start acting like little boys. In my years of dating, I dated guys both older and younger than me. Initially, I had issues dating guys younger. In my heart, I felt they were immature, irresponsible and just have what I deemed as a young boy mentality and so I stick to guys that were either my age or older. So when you date older men though, you have certain expectations; things you feel they should know, ways in which you think they should behave. The worst thing that can happen is finding a man who is only big in AGE, nothing else. Have you encounter such persons? You refuse from understanding their behaviour because you just do not think that at their age you should be teaching them or talking to them about things they should know. Now I am no longer dating, but I am observing and maybe it is only me, but sometimes I walk the street and look at some guys who were already big men (age wise) and I ask myself why doesn't he grow up. Who are these men?

• The men who can only date school girls and so every year they look at school girls pass 'jail' age and when these graduate from high school or college, they no longer want them. They seek the new ones.
• The men who, though they are in good jobs, all they have next to their names is a good looking vehicle and maybe some cash in the bank, still living with their mothers and seem to have this intention for the rest of their lives. No house and no preparations to build one, even when they are with you.
• The men who seems to have a 'hen mentality'. Sit on the eggs, but when they are hatched, they disappeared. They have many kids, sometimes impregnating different girls at the same times and in spite of their inability or refusal to take care of the previous kids, they continue. No future goals.
• At the University of the West Indies (Jamaica)- they guys who graduated so long, some of them cannot remember the years, but still hang around places like the Union after work, present at every freshers fete, drinking and talking nonsense, like babies clinging to their mothers, afraid to let go. 
• And finally and it is my own personal bias... dress your age. I just hate see big men have on certain clothes, for example, blue and white sneakers with a blue hat, a blue t'shirt and a pencil foot jeans drop below his butt showing off vest and boxers and earring in both ears. Grow up!

Facebook Statuses: Watch what you say

I believe I can call myself a regular facebook user; I use it every day. I have been able to read the statuses of many of my friends, acquaintances and other people (even some I feel close to) who just add me for games and other reasons I do not know. I myself have written different statuses from time to time. For me, I tend to ask myself one main question before writing a status: How would it help those who are reading it? I guess that is why most of my statuses are Godly, but I have read some statuses, some of which, I wish didn't caught my eyes and I asked myself time after time, WHY. Are they for likes, for popularity, for comments or because of boredom, stupidity or insensitivity? There are other times the status seems like the persons is not sure who they are or what they want to do. I know everyone is their own man or woman and can do or say what they want. I have no quarrel with that, but it seems to me that if you can correct a wrong, do it. The person can take your advice or refuse, but at the end of the day you cannot say you didn't try. Here are some examples of statuses I have a problem with:

• To the haters and 'bitches'- I think it takes a certain level of maturity to approach someone who you are having a problem with or put someone in their place, if that is what you want to do, on the phone or face to face or even through an email than to be sharing your business with the rest of the world to someone who might not even be in your friend list and so is not seeing or reading your statuses. Where are you getting the energy to waste on people you really don't care about? GROW UP!
• The seemingly "unsure Christians'" Statuses- I love Christian statuses. I find them to be very uplifting, but when you claim to be a Christian and each day you want to encourage someone to follow God, be very careful what statuses you put up on your 'non-Godly' status days if I can put it that way or the pictures you display or are tagged in. There is no in between and don't even bother to say do not study my business, after all you did not keep it to yourself but place on a public social network. The 'F' note statuses or jokes cannot follow the Godly status. You cannot claim that you are a Christian, telling others about God (you are not keeping it to yourself) and then either have some half-naked picture on facebook or you bend over dancing with a man with your head to the ground. Be careful. You do not have to please me or anyone else, but is God pleased? YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MAMMON!
• Just writing a status saying that you are not studying "the ex, his new girlfriend etc" shows that they are on your mind. INVEST YOUR TIME IN YOUR FUTURE!
• And finally the 'dirty word' statuses- Well there are some people who were bold faced enough to say if you do not like it, get off their page. Well most times I am on my page, but see the statues still just because of the way facebook is set up, but recently, I have found the way to hide story or simply unsubscribe from persons with those statuses. Still I am baffled. What is the reason for putting up these statuses?  Is it the avenue for blowing out or unwinding? I wonder if that was the intention of the developer when he asked, What is on your mind? Maybe it was, express yourself just as you feel with no sugar coating. It is still my hope though that we try to be selfless and think of all the young persons, some children, who are on these social networks and in our friend list and be mindful of the statuses we write. IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT YOU. 

Jamaican Men: Through the eyes of a foreigner

When I first came to Jamaica, my initial contact with a Jamaican man made me conclude that I will NEVER enter into a relationship with a Jamaican man. As time progressed, I stuck to my initial conclusion. I found them to be highly forward in their approach, leaving nothing to the imagination. I remembered the first guy who approached me, asked me if I had a boyfriend, when I responded yes, he stated that once I am not married, I am single. To me they were very full of themselves. I also saw them as unfaithful, searching to see what they can get from you before you return to your island or country. I made up mind no matter how I attractive they were, never a Jamaican.

https://www.facebook.com/ilovejamaicanmen

Still there was something alluring about Jamaica men. Generally, they are well groomed and dress great; in fact some go as far as shaping their eye brows :) When you meet a handsome, well dressed Jamaica and he opens his mouth to address you and is able to cut back tremendously on the forwardness, he can become almost irresistible. Their accent is very strong and manly and it grabs your attention, even the 'magga' man can capture your attention simply by speaking. On this note, word of caution, do not blind date simply by a phone conversation with a Jamaican because what you hear might not add up to what you may see. Still if you add handsome,well dressed, and the accent (proper English or not), physically a lot of women may become attracted to Jamaicans because at the end of the day every woman wants a strong, dominant (not domineering) man in their life and the accent of a Jamaican does command respects.

As time went by, I was able to increase the sample of men from which I drawn my initial conclusion and I became comfortable especially after the females explained a bit more of the culture of Jamaica, very important I found. A vivid example that was used by a colleague was that if a Jamaican man says to a lady "yo pum pum (referring to the vagina) fat", it is actually a compliment that Jamaican ladies will understand. lol Well I surely pointed out that from the little island where I come from, it is a huge disrespect and the man who is brave enough to say it, would never hear the end of it. Still, I was able to tolerate Jamaican men and try at times to explain to them the differences in my culture and the way men home are different. However, I still didn't think I can be with a Jamaica man.

My husband and I

Today I am married to one, a good one I might add and he takes pleasure in reminding me of what I use to say :) Lesson learnt lol...not all Jamaicans are the same or to put  even more generally, the fault of one man cannot be used to judge another man. It can only be used to keep you vigilant :)

Ungrateful Picknies (children)

Today I see some ungrateful children filled with pride and it upsets me. 

Poor Parents

http://library.duke.edu/rubenstein/

Your parents struggle to send you to school, make sure you eat even though they might now, dress you as best as they could even though they could not dress themselves as good and yet you are ungrateful. You look at what other parents are giving to their kids and what you 'should' be getting, but are not getting and you resent your parents. You do not want them to come school to visit you even for parents day because what they wear would not be good enough. Your friends would laugh and talk. You see them coming up the road and you dodge in to a store or you cross the street, anything to avoid them. PRIDE!!! 

Middle Class and Rich Parents

http://www.kissingtheleper.com/2010_11_14_archive.html

Your parents give you the world. You get your license from the time you turn age to drive and they even bought you a car for your birthday. You were given birthday parties ever since you know yourself. You have your own room (yes, from some persons it is a luxury they cannot afford). They pay your education, sometimes in full, straight to university. Yet....For the one or two times they cannot give you what you WANT, you are upset. You are quick to call the police because they hit you, not abuse you. You drink, smoke and do drugs because of the freedom you are afforded, without thinking or caring about how you are hurting them. Maybe your parents don't even care, you think afterall they are working all the time, not spending enough time with you. Would you be willing to give up a few of your luxuries for more time with your parents? You curse them and lock them out of your room (in their own house if i might add), with no concern as to who is around or how your parents would be embarrassed, then again that might just have been your intention.

My thoughts

Pride and ungratefulness!!! While there are parents out there who have not done anything for their children and others not only did nothing, but added abuse to their style of parenting, you who are in a complete different situation should be humble and grateful. I have an alcoholic father who when the rum is in the wit is definitely out, but no matter how drunk he is, once I see him Ill go up to him.It could be in the city on a bus, in church (yes he comes there too even when he is drunk), wherever. Some times people would say to him, you have big daughter and behaving so. I never care what my friends or people think or would say and still don't. I knew how hard my parents worked to make us happy and even when the negatives were there, I chose to concentrate on the positives, the good they have done. I also understand their position. If they had more, they would have given me and I live my life trying to make some thing of myself so that I can make them happy. I never hear the I love you etc like what some children have committed suicide for (think they parents do not love them) because I know from the mere fact that they were providing for my needs they had some love for me;  Luke 11:11" If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he asks for a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?"

The Professional Look: No messy head hairdresser, sluggish doctor or big belly policeman

I believe firmly that when you decide to take on a career, there are certain attributes that go along with it these are my reasons:

• HAIRDRESSERS- When I go to any hair dresser, I automatically look at their hair. Too often, hair dressers want to tell you how to take care of your hair even suggest products and cut your hair etc when they are not taking their own advice. Have you ever go into a salon and see a hair dresser with her hair untidy, a lot of split ends from the bleaching that was done, the front 'eat up, eat up' because she insist on placing gel on it over and over again, the weave either on the verge of dropping out or you can see the threads? Well I don't know about you, but I have seen all that I have listed and I normally request the person who I want to fix my hair. I am also not to particular about ball head hair dressers, but that is my own bias that I look over at times, simply because I am scared to death when they ask if you want your hair clip. Too often, I look at my hair after and wonder if they thought I said cut. 

• DOCTORS- Recently, I visited a doctor, not my usual, but as I looked at her, I wondered if there was a medical reason for her high tummy. I do not think her physical structure affects her ability to do her job great in no way, but I couldn't help but wonder and it so often happen to me. If it is not a medical reason for your situation and you cannot get down your belly, how would I get down mines, I usually think. I really believe that doctors should eat healthy and do their regular exercises even if the world does not follow, simply because they are doctors and an inspiration to people like me. So I do not like to go to sluggish doctors, who seem physically unfit and I do not mean fat doctors, unless they are overweight. I am truly motivated by doctors who seem to practice what they preach. 

• POLICEMEN AND SECURITY GUARDS- As I listened to the Comedian, Candy Man, the other night, I was in total agreement; too many big belly police officers and I would add security guards. This is simply my opinion. I know work is hard to find and every body needs a job, BUT, if you are putting someone on the street as security to possibly run down and stop a thief, then that person should be physically fit. I would not let a big belly, fat police officer who seems to spend more time driving around in his vehicle eating burgers out run me and I am no Usain Bolt. What about a thief whose adrenaline is pumping? If it is about work, keep some behind desks to shuffle paper and put the fit ones out there. 

Now these are just 3 professions, I observe, but I am sure that you might have a couple you want to add. What I have stated as I said is just my opinion, you might feel differently or share the same views, whatever the case looking forward to hear from you. 

Beauty vs Brain: Ms SVG 2012

Last night while on Facebook, I saw different posting about what was happening at Ms. SVG 2012, someone even posted a link where you can watch it live and so I logged on. I got to see the last two talent pieces, the interviews and the evening gown section. I am always particularly interested in the talent and interview section, but the interview section has the greatest effect on me. It is like watching the ending of a penalty shoot out for a football match or more so watching the West Indies Cricket team having 1 ball remaining and needing one run. I  am sure you understand the feelings I am trying to express, and to see I was not the one answering the question you would understand where I am coming from. It is also the part of the show where the nerves of the contestants are at their highest and if they were not fully immersed in the English Language, then the mistakes come alive. Furthermore, it tests your intelligence and awareness on current issues nationally and internationally. As the interview section also carry the most points, it is telling us that at the end of the day, the show it self is more about brain than beauty, but if we can get both qualities in the individual, then we have the ideal winner.

Anyway, I listened, sometimes with my eyes piercing through my fingers that covered my eyes and I empathize with these brave girls. I know some would 'beat up' themselves after because it is not that they did not know, but could not think under pressure. Then I heard Ms. Carice Glasgow and without seeing most of what happened before, I said HERE IS THE QUEEN! Eloquent, relaxed, poised, articulated are just some adjectives I would use to describe her. To me, she by pass the rest of the contestants tremendously in this segment not simply by answering the question (which some failed to do), but by delivering it in a queenly manner.

It was the same feeling I got when I saw Ms. Terranza Franklyn in her evening gown. Most of the other contestants' designers probably wanted them to walk naked on the stage. It is the most shear materials I have ever seen in a show. Well I guess that is the way evening gowns for queen show suppose to be, I don't know, but here came a lady, Ms Franklyn in something different, yet elegant and I loved it.

Well after the announcements, the reports on facebook came in the numbers. I was glad that most of the persons on my page were in agreement that the results were fair, but there were a few who I guess in being saddened, by the fact that Ms. Franklyn, whom they supported from the beginning and deemed most beautiful did not win even though she captured Best Swimwear, Best talent, Best evening gown and Ms. Photogenic. She is indeed a beauty. I understand the disappointment, but I have seen shows where the the winner did not win one title besides the one that crowned her. Why do you think that is? Just as in the classroom one student may placed first by a 0.2 of a mark, so it is in these shows. All contestants may be consistent and it only takes one category, and I must I say the one that has the highest score, to put one contestant infront of the other. Why not just rally around the winner? The winner, I must say, I am proud to have representing us given the way she truly delivered in that interview. Congrats to all the contestants, but more so to Ms. Carice Glasgow. You have represented us well and I am sure you would do just that at Ms. Carival.