#DryLandTouristChronicles: I Love SXM Diary....Day 4 & 5

The penultimate day of conference we had our President & Executives Training Seminar (PETS). Experienced Rotarians lead training sessions for the various executive positions on the Rotaract Executive Boards. This was in fact the main purpose of the conference.

  

One of our numerous selfies.....Buddha & The Yardies

Before the training seminar, Paulette, Nicole & I walked to a pharmacy on the Maho strip to purchase some sweets. On our way back, we saw a really cool Buddha statue & went selfie crazy lol.

It's My Birthday...

Today I finally said goodbye to my 20's & hello to my 30's. To think I dreaded today for so long!!!

#DryLandTouristChronicles: I Love SXM Diary....Day 3

Friday, May 29, 2015 will be etched in my mind for the rest of my existence! I don't think any of us knew what the Conference steering committee had in store for us. The morning began with sessions & an award ceremony. The award ceremony was a proud moment for me because all the clubs in my Region (Jamaica East) won at least one award.

Introducing my Past President Rotarian Travis who presented on Project Proposal
Photo Credit: Rotaract District 7020

Happy Birthday My Beloved.....

Dear Jamaica,

What can I say to you on this another Independence Day?

I know we fuss & fight alot but the truth is you bring out a passion in me that I never knew existed! I guess that is what happens when you love someone so much. You have given me a place of my own to call home & many hidden gems to appreciate & enjoy.

You are a true beauty who has strived beyond exploitation & ill-treatment. You are indeed God blessed.

On this your 53rd, I wish for you a positive future & many more years of strength. You may have stumbled but you are too great to fall.

I hope I can make you proud & contribute to your success.

With Love...
Shanny

In 2015 I don't feel so Emancipated...

It's been awhile since I have done a "serious" post but with last Saturday, August 1, marking our Emancipation celebrations here in Jamaica, I began reflecting on a few things & decided to put thoughts to blog.

Photo Credit: http://www.buzzquotes.com/marcus-garvey-quotes-on-love

It's the time of year when we Jamaicans are suppose to reflect on the struggles of our ancenstors & celebrate their victories & our freedom. I definitely appreciate the sacrifice of heroes like Sam Sharpe, George William Gordon, Nanny & Paul Bogle. I admire the bold steps they took to ensure that I am able to live the life I choose. I am not sure I would have been brave enough to make the sacrifice they made.

Source: http://leantoniosvacation.com/html/fast-facts/

While I reflect, honour & celebrate what my heroes have done, I am in the same breath disheartened because I question every day if we truly are emancipated in 2015.

Emancipation according to the Oxford Dictionary is " (1) the fact or process of being set free from legal, social, or political restrictions; (2) liberation".  Liberation can be further defined according to Merriam Webster Dictionary as  "the act or process of freeing someone or something from another's control."

Photo Credit: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britains-colonial-shame-slaveowners-given-huge-payouts-after-abolition-8508358.html

Living on this side of the world automatically means that you are going to be exposed to every facet of American culture.. the good...the bad & the ugly....

Ever since the murder of Trayvon Martin, I have worried everyday about my 3 brothers who live in the states. The recent spate of police brutality towards Black Men & Women have not made my concerns any better. I fear that just like it was before 1838, Black people are again being forced into modern "servitude" simply to preserve our lives.

I am in no way implying that ALL white people in America or all cops are racists but it seems quite suspicious that so many Black persons are falling victims to brutality simply because they were "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

I will not even touch on the way they treated the little psycho boy who MURDERED the church members in North Carolina compared to ALL the unarmed black people they assaulted.

Whenever I think about what happened to Sandra Bland I cringe because I am a feisty black woman, especially when I feel threatened, so I know if I were in her position I would not have been calm at all but does that mean that I should be assaulted by an officer or thrown senselessly in jail?

My Modern Plantation.....

Here at home you would think that in a predominantly black country where the white population is minimal that race is not an issue & that is quite true. What we have here are persons who are still stuck in pre- independent Jamaica, who believe that skin tone should be directly proportional to ones standard of living.

There are many nice educated gentleman here who only date "brownings." In fact, my friends & I have a running joke that a Jamaican man's success is directly proportional to his lady's skin colour. As they move up the ladder of success their spouses' skin colour usually gets lighter & lighter.

I am sure that is not what Sam Sharpe fought hard to have his ancestors settle back into the colonial mindset?

In the end...

I know I wrote this post from a black perspectives but I truly believe that there needs to be a paradigm shift.  We need to truly cut ties with the dark elements of our past & move towards the future with an understanding that we are all valuable components of this world. We need to change our mindsets & release the hate & prejudices that society forced on us through socialization.

With that said we (myself definitely) need to heed the advise of reggae superstar Bob Marley....

"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery,None but ourselves can free our minds." - Bob Marley

#BlackLivesMatter #WhiteLivesMatter #AllLivesMatter


Thanks for stopping by....

A Day In My Life...Saturday, July 18, 2015

I went on a road trip to Manchester on Saturday, July 18, 2015 & I thought it would be the ideal day to do a day in my life feature.

Guts River, Manchester on the Map of Jamaica 

#DryLandTouristChronicles: I Love SXM Diary....Day 2

Day 2 of Rotaract District Conference, for me, was all about the I love SXM island tour! I was more than excited to explore St. Maarten/St. Martin.

#DryLandTouristChronicles: I Love SXM Diary....Day 1

A few years ago, when my sole desire was to move to Europe, my dad advised me to get to know home before I start exploring the world. I took his advice & since then I have used every opportunity to travel across my beautiful island home....a decision I don't regret at all. I guess it's out of exlporing Jamaica that my desire to travel the Caribbean blossomed. I developed a curiosity about island life in other Caribbean countries.

 Luckily for me, my membership in Rotaract has provided me with the opportunity to visit at least 9 other Caribbean countries & territories in the Northern Caribbean. This blog post is about my recent trip to St. Maarten & St. Martin.

A year ago, I sat at the Hilton Hotel in Montego Bay & told my friend that May 27, 2015, I would be landing in St. Maarten for Rotaract District Conference. Until April, I was sure that my dream would not be a reality but low & behold I was too hasty to throw in the towel....my trip to the friendly island was indeed a reality.

This trip was a part of my #14for30 list (the list of things I hope to do in celebration of turning 30). Up until the day of my flight I still couldn't believe that I was going to St. Maarten!!!!

My flight was scheduled to depart at 2:45PM for a landing in St. Maarten at 6:00 PM. Luckily for us, the flight, which I was told is usually late, was quite on time! We were so on-time we landed in St. Maarten earlier than expected. Kudos to Caribbean Airlines!

When we landed customs was a breeze (thanks to the power  of Rotaract & Rotary). We were in our black vehicles & on our way in no time.

First trip with my new passport

Dry Land Tourist Chronicles: Lime Cay

After numerous near trips, I finally made it to Lime Cay!

Lime Cay, a small island off the coast of Kingston, is home of one of most beautiful beaches in all of Jamaica.

Accessible only by water, Lime Cay is popular with local boat owners.

The waters just off Lime Cay Beach, along with the smaller even more isolated cays, are excellent places to go snorkeling, explore underwater caves, and watch for wildlife. These little islands are close to the Norman Manley International Airport, so you can sit back, relax, and watch the flights arrive from all around the world.

http://www.destination360.com/caribbean/jamaica/lime-cay

NASA Visible Color Landsat image of Port Royal Cays with islets and shoals

Shanny-VAL Diaries: Iz A Vagabond (My UWI CARNIVAL Experience)

Carnival in Jamaica has come & gone. Unfortunately, I didn't get to play pretty mas with Bacchanal Jamaica but luckily I did get to experience UWI Carnival.

My First Private Screening: 50 Shades of Grey

Last Friday night I had the pleasure of attending Rough Rider condom's private viewing of Fifty Shades of Grey at Palace Cineplex.
.

Back in 2012, the phenomena, like most other fads, totally missed me here in my little corner..... Fast forward to 2015 & everybody & their grandmother has an opinion on the books & the movie...most of which are bad. I am not one to who takes reviews as gospel (as we Jamaicans would say) instead I like to read books or watchr movies & form my own opinion... so I went into the viewing with an open mind.

The $150 Challenge

Last week was a very enlightening week for me. I had a well needed talk with my boss' Insurance Advisor which got me thinking hard about my current financial status. Let us just say that financial literacy has never been something I had an excellent grasp on until recently & I still have more to learn.

Back to my conversation with the Insurance Advisor..... she reminded me of something I learned a long time ago but had not put into action for awhile.... paying yourself first! She stressed that I should have been saving at least 10% of my monthly earning since the day I started working there in 2012.

Like I said before, this concept was not new to me by any means but for some reason I have constantly used bills & unnecessary wants as an excuse to not save a [substantial] dime.

Fast forward to Friday...my bestie Shauna & I were talking & she mentioned to me that she was going to start the $150 Challenge!

At first I thought, the $150 USD Challenge? which made me not even consider attempting that challenge. Luckily for me she meant the $150 JMD!

My Jamaicans are probably saying, "That is not money!" & on a normal day the most it can give you is one-way ride on a JUTC bus. It may seem small but it can make a difference after a period of time.

Back to the challenge...

The challenge is to save at least $150 JMD a day & at the end of the month whatever is saved, I would match that total & then lodge it in the bank.

Therefore, I can save at least $66,000 JMD (at least $600 USD) at the end of the year.

The money saved can go towards "My Retirement" saving plan or  help me finance a trip somewhere.

Of course I will also continue my current saving pattern & ensure that my 10% "self payment" goes to my saving account where it will remain untouched until I am ready to make a "big purchase" or invest it wisely.

Wish me luck & share with me any other saving strategies you may utilize.

Dry Land Tourist Chronicles: Living IRIE

When you live on an island Summer never really ends....the days just get shorter....

At the end of August, I went on an excursion with my Rotaract Club to Irie River in St. Ann. I was super excited for the trip & I was not disappointed a bit.

A little about the Irie River....

"Irie River, formerly known as Irie Beach, is a true Jamaican Paradise and is widely known as one of our best kept secrets. It is located on a scenic section of the White River, in Ocho Rios, just 15 minutes upstream from the ocean. People come from all around the world to swim in our cool, clear waters and to relax and be amazed by our enchanted gardens.

Irie River has the atmosphere of a plantation-era bathing hole, Caribbean style. The sandy bottomed river flows gently through the park, allowing for safe swimming and visitors can bask in the sun on the grassy banks or relax in the shade provided by the lush tropical rainforest overhead."

Rude Gyal Swag

On Saturday, May 24, 2014, my service club hosted a fundraising party called "EVOKE". This was the fourth staging of the event and the second staging under the name "EVOKE". This year's theme was the "Braids N Bumpa."

Celebrate International Reggae Day

Today, July 1, marks the celebration of all things Reggae. Let's celebrate this wonderful genre which has produced some conscious and uplifting music.

For more information on International Reggae Day log on to http://www.ireggaeday.com/

One Love,

OOTD: Family Funday

My outfit for the Rotary Club of St. Andrew North's Family Funday was simple & I think elegant. I paired an oversize shirt with a comfortable pair of shorts with my most trusted D'NexStep Sling Baby and a cute shoulder bag I got as a birthday gift from a friend. 

Top: Maxie's Department Store, Portmore

Shorts: Bought from a family friend

Sandals: D'NexStep 

Bag: Gift

Watch: Geneva, Kim's, York Plaza (A gift)

Arm Candy: Brit Bran, Bargain Mall, Clock Tower Plaza

Sandals: D'NexStep Sling Baby

Thanks for Stopping By!

“A night of Upliftment”: @ExodusPoetryJa & 13th Street Promotions Open Mic Series

Exodus Poetry Jamaica in association with 13thstreetpromotions 

PRESENTS

“A night of Upliftment”, Exodus Poetry’s very first show of our Open Mic series, featuring Harold Davis. Thursday, April 10, 2014 at Red Bones Blues Café, 1 Argyle Road, Kgn 10.

Come and enjoy the talent of young and upcoming poets and singers; there will also be a walk up open mic segment so come and share your poetry as well. Don’t be shy! 

Come unwind after a hectic work day! Bring a friend, have a drink, sit back and let you mind be taken away on the wings of the words our poets will spit.

Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and showtime is 8:00 p.m. Admission is ONLY $400

You will not be disappointed!

No dress code so come right after work or school. 

Follow @ExodusPoetryJa on Twitter and visit https://www.facebook.com/exoduspoetry.jamaica.9 or http://exoduspoetryjamaica.com/ for more information and regular updates.

Flower Child: DIY Flower Crown

I am a fan of  Lana Del Rey! Her music and her style is just awesome! One Sunday when I was enjoying my daily dose of Ms. Rey, I got the great idea of channeling my inner Lana by making a flower crown.

I used items I found in my house to make it and it came inreally  handy for Halloween (I went to my Rotaract Club's Halloween Lyme as Katy Perry in her "Roar" video).

I gathered an assortment of flowers from around my house

I used my tape measure to find the circumference of my head. I then took an elastic band (I found in my sewing kit) and cut the diameter + 5 inches extra to allow me to tie the crown

I aligned the flowers in the order I wanted

I used a needle & thread to secure the flowers on the elastic

Here is the finished flower crown!
I'm feeling Electric tonight...

Lana Del Rey is simply...AWESOME

“I used to wonder if it was God's plan that I should be alone for so much of my life. But I found peace. I found happiness within people and the world.” 
― Lana Del Rey

Thanks for stopping by!

Let's See What You Have To Offer 2014!

I am here sipping a Red Stripe beer and reflecting on what turned out to be not such a bad year. I learned alot in 2013 and experienced alot while making a few mistakes. My 2013 victories and defeats, I hope, will be the foundation for a great year.

I am not a resolution kind of girl but I have decided to make a few needed changes in my life this year... so I guess that makes me a resolution kind of girl after all (LOL).


Here goes:

1. To trust myself a little more. 2013 taught me the power of believing in ME.
2. Never allow loneliness to be an excuse to stay in a not so happy relationship (FRIENDSHIPS INCLUDED)
3. Be financially responsible....ENOUGH SAID
4. Smile at least ONCE a day
5. Continue exploring
6. Conquering fears (started in 2013)
7. Master that which I am good at
8. Survive school!
9. Leave Jamaica (& the Jamaican Territory) for at least 5 Days again
10. Truly Love...even when it is the HARDEST thing to do.

I will work to achieve these goals and try to make my 2014 experience AWESOME!

“For a new year to bring you something new, make a move, like a butterfly tearing its cocoon! Make a move!” —Mehmet Murat Ildan

Happy New Year All!

30 Day Blog Challenge

My bestie laid out a challenge and I decided to accept! For the next 30 days, I will be blogging everyday (Lord help me!). I have always wanted to devote more time to the blog and help it to move into a whole new direction.

Day 1 was a challenge because it almost didn't happen! I am currently studying at UWI and it has been a huge challenge balancing school, work & Rotaract. This week and the next are especially rough for me because I have In-Course exams and a Rotaract Conference in Negril but I have faith that I will survive both with my sanity in tact.

I am here and I am ready for the challenge! Hope you enjoy the ride!

Thanks for Stopping By!