A Night of Fine Wine!!!

Director Shikha's Creation!!!

The invitation said casually elegant and the night sky seemed to complied to provide the most fitting evening, light sprinkle and all. Rotarians, Rotaractors and Guest gathered at 31 Russel Heights to celebrate the Installation of the 2011/2012 Board of the Rotaract Club of New Kingston. The evenings proceedings were chaired by the ever vibrant District Secretary Tamieka Grant and commenced with the singing of the National Anthem followed by the Four Way Test and Rotaract Grace. President Gareth Burrowes did the welcome which was followed by Greetings from Rotary Club of New Kingston President Richard Pandohie, Assistant Governor Jamaica South Central District 7020 Rotarian Ruth Palmer and District Rotaract Representative Keitho Nembhard. The Year in Review was in the form of a video presentation created by Secretary Shikha and President Gareth which showcased the achievements of the superheroes of the 2010/2011 Board. 


President Gareth then presented the 2010/2011 Awards:

Service Above Self - Rotaractor Ana Miles

For the tremendous work done with Early Act - PP Julie Ramchandani

Director of the Year - Director Dane Anderson

Rotaractor of the Year - Director Ryan McKenize

President's Award - Shikha Lachmandas

Some of the Nights Awardees

All the Awardees

President Gareth also made a presentation to the Rotary Club of New Kingston for service to the Rotaract Club of New Kingston. 

The awards ceremony ushered the installation of President Suresh Martin by Rotary Club of New Kingston President Richard. The new president then did his first official duty and installed his board:

Vice President - Travis Graham

Secretary - Shana Reid

Treasurer: Leighton Facey

Sergeant At Arms - Omar Gordon

Immediate Past President - Gareth Burrowes

Directors

Club Service Director - Ryan McKenzie

Community Service Director - Julie Ramchandani

Fundraising Director - Shikha Lachmandas

Professional Service Director - Ward Simons

International Service Director -Saran Hunter

Public Relations Director - Shana Reid

President Suresh did his second duty of the night and delivered his presidential charge. The vote of thanks was moved by Rotaractor Donelle Christian. President Suresh ended the formal portion of the evening with his closing remarks and a toast to the Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains. Fellowship followed poolside fueled by delightful finger food and fine wine!!!

Highlights of the evening: Tamieka giving Mr. and Mrs. Martin the top 5 rules of being the Parents of a NKRC President; the evening's fellowship and the snippet DRR Keitho gave of his poetic skills.

Here are my photo highlights: 

MC Tamieka Grant

President Suresh Martin

And the hottest lady of the night...Rotaractor Paulette from Rotaract Club of St. Andrew

Rotaract Club of St. Andrew

The lovely ladies of Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains

Myself, Ana and Paige

Paige, Tamieka, Travis, Julie and Omar

My Rotaract Family

Congrats Rotaract Club of St. Andrew!!!! *throws confetti*

It always great to start a new journey and last nights the Rotaract Club of St.Andrew  embarked on a new voyage with a new Captain at the Helm. The event was the brainchild of Club Service Director Ammesha Samuels and her fabulous team and it all came together in fine style. The Villagio was the ideal setting, its elegance was befitting to the Rotaract standard and was outdone only by the beauty of the persons which sat within the confines of its walls. The ceremony was structured in a manner that did not seems to encourage the constant checking of watches and the Master of Ceremonies Ms. Dania Beckford a.k.a First Lady Briscoe held her audience from start to end.

The Head Table

The ceremony began with the Rotaract Prayer, National Anthem and The Four Way Test followed by Greetings from Rotary Club of St. Andrew President Elect Robert Drummond and DRR Keitho Nembhard. PP Roger Young outgoing president's speech which was read by VP Candice Stewart preceeded the ceremonial changing of the guards by Rotary Club of St. Andrew PE Richard Drummond. This was followed by the Induction of the New Board and three new members. President Austin Briscoe then delivered his charge to his New Board and Rotaractors. Rotaractor Paige Jackson was bestowed with the honour of introducing the guest speaker and the evening culminated with the discourse of  Mr. Stephen Wittingham, C.E.O Island Ice and Beverage Company, as he encouraged the attendees to consider entrepreneurship and highlighted its similarities to the mandates of Rotaract. The vote of thanks was moved by Club Service Director and Event Coordinator Ammesha Samuels. The evening ended with closing remarks from Ms. Beckford and a toast by Rotaractor Kursten.

Rotary Club of St. Andrew President Elect Robert Drummond pinning Rotaract Club of St. Andrew Presdent Austin Briscoe

The high points of the night for me were the recognition of the  Rotaractors who exhibited excellence during the past Rotaract Year 2010/2011, the addition of 3 new Rotaractors to the District 7020 Family and the introduction of District Representatives Candice, Austin and Mark by DRR Keitho.

Here are my photo highlights:

 New Kingston Rotaract Club: Myself, Director Dane and Rotaract Ana

 Myself and my fab femme Rotaractor Paige

RCSA Rookie of the year Rotaractor Paulette and Rotaractor Paige

 Some of the Elegant Ladies of RCSA and Treasurer Nicholas: (from left) Dir. Ammesha, Rtr. Paulette, Dir. Shaloy, Rtr. Melissa and Rtr. Paige

NKRC and RCSA

MC Dania Beckford

Guest Speaker Stephen Wittingham 

Mark and Rotaract Club of Liguanea Plains President Elect Tanya

New Rotaractor Melissa, Kevin and Sheldon

New Rotaractors

RCSA members welcoming the New Rotaractors

DRR Keitho and His District Representative from RCSA Candice, Austin and Mark

Vote of Thanks

Rotaractor Kursten delivering the Toast

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

So after 5 months of meetings, projects, lyming and just general joy and splendour! June 16th, 2011 marked my official rebirth as a proud member of the New Kingston Rotaract Club. Can you say glad bag buss?

 It has been a tremendous experience being able to know that my minute contribution can make the life of even  one of my countryman better. I have seen what good can came come from young adults working together with one common goal.

I look forward to the journey and am ready to live a life of service above self. XO

Your life begins here

Nothing last forever.....Digicel and Claro proved that one to me with their unexpected deal. I am not a business inclined person, I guess that attributes to my constant state of brokeness. I have to be honest I have been a bit of a psycho since the news broke moping around and going postal on those I love (oh I know I lost one person I love a lot) and its all for the sole fact that I work for a third party contracted by Claro and it doesn't take a genius to figure the outcome of that....



Usually when I meet a crossroad I allow insecurities to feed fear and then I throw my hands up and move to the next thing but this time I refuse to do so. I am using this exchange of asset as my inspiration to look fear in the face and invest in moi!!!



With my renewed sense of self worth, I have decided to share this zeal with those I love. It makes no sense to leap knowing that these people are going to be there to support me no matter the outcome and not return the favour.



So what's the point of all my babbling? I am not going to allow this "economic hindrance" force me to lie flat. I have three months to my deadline and I won't rest until I have exhausted all possible circumstances. Its time to stop allowing fear to drown my potential and the potential of those I love. I am going to be my own inspiration. First order of business....figure out what the hell I want to do with my damn life!

The "Love Concept"

A crush is the same irresppective of age!!!!! Whether you are 15 or 25, all crushes do are crush you. I have reached an age in life where I thought crushes don't happen but I was bitten and shut down!!! (I guess I wasn't hot enough for him...lol).

Any hoo, talking to a good friend of mine the other day she pointed out the sad reality that us mid-20's femmes have to contend with.....LOVE is a fairytale concept and not a valid reason to stay in a relationship with someone, It's all about security....sad as hell but it is about  being secure, especially in this Jamaica. Its something I always knew but hearing it from her was a jolt because this is someone who has always held my fairy tale ideal of waiting for that wonderful man deserving of all the love it is possible to give any one human. I guess that idea was destroyed with the relationships which have passed.

I am a victim of the "Love Concept".

My "Love Concept" usually entails the participants supporting each other emotionally, being a real friend to each other, having fun, sharing a mutual respect, caring for each other, and sharing the responsibilities of the relationship (not blaming everyone else). Every relationship I've had I was under the impression that I was being a good girlfriend but I guess the young men saw it otherwise.  Like I found out that my last boyfriend (we were together for 2 years or so i think) moved in with his new girlfriend of less that one year. Of course, I was so hurt by that because I was there with him for so long and all I got were promises and let downs. When I told my good friend, her answer was simple.....new girl is probably a girl that demands certain things or maybe she is the elusive "one." Who knows what it is really. All I am sure of is that its time for me to stop being an understanding girlfriend and be a fake barbie (and not the Nicki Minaj type) bitch type inside and out....they seem to get way more "respect". Its sad that throughout life, men constantly think with their penis...sigh

I refuse though to let the stupidity of a few men rob every inch of hope...but dare I say it, I am considering this whole security thing more seriously. No gold digging!!! I'm just going to dig deep into my soul and bring out the inner strength and the inner vavavavoom.......until then, I will continue to observe. XOXO

The Grass Ain't always greener on the other side

It is so true that life is not always greener on the other side. After 8 months of doing the same thing over and over again, I decided to apply for a different post and got through. However, I have never felt so stressed and unaccomplished in my life. I am not a perfectionsit and this job requires perfection and loads of self confidence. Don't get me wrong, I'm a confident person but my office doesn"t really allow you to feel comfortable in your role as you see people get fired for the simplest of acts on a daily basis. I guess the only reason I have no lost complete hope is because I do believe in God and his love for me. Otherwise, I'd be off my rockers by now. It all feels like a game of pretense and pretty soon reality will shed some light on me.
I have decided to reintroduce fun  and service in my life. I started by deciding to join a Rotoract club and I plan to follow through with it 100%. I have been giving up to easy lately and I'm going to stop that self defeating practice ASAP.
Til my next trip dowm crazy row. XOXO

'Twas the Season for the Uber Fabulous People I Work With

Any one that knows me well knows I HATE Christmas!!!! Yes I'm a Grinch but i never go around stealing other people's Christmas joy, I just keep to myself. However, on December 23rd, I decided to put my Grinch ways on pause and attend my office party and can I tell you!!! It was a fabulous time!!! Wyndam was the perfect location for the party and Club Privilege the perfect after spot. To note Club Privilege is now my favourite club in Kingston (I need to redevelop a relationship with the Quad...lol). Why continue to talk...pics can speak so  much louder.