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!!!

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 

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.

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!

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!

Marley Twists by @Virgochyktessie

During the height of my Installation season (a.k.a “Pretty Season“) I noticed I was having difficulty managing my hair. Usually when it gets this way, I give it a break and opt for protective styling. My first choice is usually a sew-in but this time I decided to research some other options for protective hairstyles. One “new” discovery was Marley Twists.

I didn’t know anyone who tried this style and my regular hairdresser has no clue what they are, so I ruled it out and settled for “Patra” braids.
Last week though my friend Wade (who knows my obsession with Hair & Beauty) reintroduced me to the Marley Twist concept when he introduced me to hairstylist Teresa Simpson(@VirgoChykTessie). My interest was sparked and I pondered getting them!

Marley Twists/ Havana Twists can be done to any type of hair but mainly people who are making the transition or who have made the transition to being natural. According to Teresa, the main benefit of doing Marley Twists/Havana Twists is that it (Marley hair) doesn’t pull on your natural hair. Therefore you don’t experience breakage.

Marley hair also has as similar texture to natural hair and looks realistic when installed. Marley Twists/Havana Twists are perfect for busy women and college students. Teresa currently works from home and she also does house calls.

Here are some pictures of a very satisfied customer.

If you are looking for a new look to rock consider Marley Twists/Havana Twists. To make an appointment with Teresa, contact her via email teresasimpson_4@yahoo.com

Thanks for stopping by!