Open Road Arts and Travel Magazine | April-May Launch Issue by OpenRoad Arts and Travel Magazine

ISSUE 1 | APRIL 2016

Travel Feature: Japan

Minato Mirai 21: A Charming Escape

Art Feature: Jamaican Artist

ANDRAE GREEN

Introspection in Focus

Soul on Canvas Kimberlee Aliasgar Shirakawa-go

History In The Preserving

From English Sensei To Entrepreneur Sasha Lee Hague-Seals

Using Music to Teach Art Devarowe Solomon

Welcome to Open Road Arts and Travel Magazine. We are an online magazine that showcases talented Caribbean people and how they are making an impact in their corner of the world. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art, travel, health, finance or personal development, we aim to inspire our family of readers to be better and do better.â&#x20AC;?

Credits and Photo Submissions: BigMike Photos Kimberlee Aliasgar Andrae Green Devarowe Solomon Sasha Lee Hague-Seals

Layout and Design Kerrian Thompson

Photography

Michael Mighty

Open Road Arts and Travel Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine should or may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means printed for duplication without prior written permission from the publisher.

THE EDITOR There’s something intriguing about the open road. When you consider the wide, open spaces, the feeling of uncurbed freedom and the uncertainty of the unknown, you become eager to find out what lies ahead. You know there will be excitement, but still not far from the excitement is the joy of learning something! That is what we want for you, our family. When the Open Road team envisioned this magazine, we wanted our readers to experience the joy of learning about different art forms and cultural landscapes. Not only that, we decided to produce content that facilitated personal growth so that people could be encouraged to live better lives. We strive to do all this, while providing entertainment value in the areas of the arts, travel, education, technology, finance, fashion, health and wellness, professional and personal development. We hope that you are able to identify and appreciate this in our work – and most importantly, that you will be able to apply whatever “gems” you find in our magazine to your own life, in order to become better. Thanks for joining us on the ride! Rochelle

Content 6 Meet The Team

10 14

Soul on Canvas Kimberlee Aliasgar Shirakawa-Go History In The Preserving

18 Finance: Taking Baby Steps In Personal Finance

20 26

Travel Feature: Minato Mirai - Japan A Charming Escape

Young Talent: From English Sensei To Entrepreneur Sasha Lee Hague-Seals

Art Feature: Andrae Green Introspection In Focus

33 Personal Development: Two Ways an Elevevator Pitch Can Help You Succeed. 34 Technology: Tech Candy On The Go

Education: Devarowe Solomon - Using Music To Teach Art

36 Fashion: Spring Has Sprung 38 Health & Wellness: Ten Ways to Keep Hydrated

Acknowledgement: We would like to thank everyone who supported this vision and the production of Open Road Arts and Travel Magazine. We are grateful for your contribution in helping us to showcase the talents and achievements of our fellow Caribbean brothers and sisters. Our deepest appreciation and thanks to the Heavenly Father who has blessed us with the time, talents and skills needed to accomplish this goal; for with Him, all things are possible. From the Co-Founders: Rochelle Mighty, Kerrian Thompson and Michael Mighty.

MEET th ROCHELLE MIGHTY Rochelle has been a media practitioner for over seven years. Her career spans television and video production, alongside public relations. She specializes in video editing and motion graphics. She and her husband, Michael, are the co-founders of their own media production house. She is also a mom of one who enjoys spending time with her family, reading and travelling. She currently lives in Toyama, Japan. Co-Founder, roch.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

KERRIAN THOMPSON

Kerrian is an Art teacher, freelance graphic designer, event planner, ESL teacher and the Creative Director for Open Road Arts & Travel magazine. She has a passion for nurturing creative ideas and talents, enjoys spending her time with people who love and celebrates life. Now living in Japan, she has taken on the adventures of solo travel. Co-Founder, kerrian.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

MICHAEL MIGHTY

Michael is the consummate artist. Having studied music at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, he went on to play for some of Jamaicaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top reggae acts. Though a drummer by vocation, his natural talent in photography led him to hone his skills over his five year career. When away from the lens, Michael enjoys video gaming, video editing and colouring and spending time with his family. Co-Founder, michael.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

BRANDON BEWZA

Brandon is an English teacher in Japan. From Canada, his background is in education and business. On his off time, he is a mediocre skier. brandon.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

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he TEAM DAVE COLLYMORE

Dave Collymore is a poet, song writer, author of two books, teacher, company trainer and travel enthusiast. He has been living in Japan since March 2008. He likes playing soccer, karate, writing and entertaining people. davecollymore.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

JHANA GRAHAM

Jhana is wife to Gregory, and an inspiring speaker who is passionate about people development and training she spent 7 years working in people leadership in corporate Jamaica. Presently, she works in Japan as a Certified Teacher of English as a Second Language. She is also an academic researcher in the field of Educational Leadership and a Certified Career Coach and Trainer. In her free time, Jhana enjoys family time, singing, and cooking. jhana.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

CHRISTINA RODNEY

Christina is a proud Caribbean native living in Brooklyn, NY with a passion for all things fashion, art, music, travel & photography. You can read about her NY adventures and hair journey on her blog www.curlsinbrooklyn.blogspot. Contentment: A friend to everyone who lives, laughs, & loves fearlessly. christina.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

DIDAN ASHANTA

Didan Ashanta is an Author and LifeDesigner who teaches, motivates and inspires health-seekers to eat their way to vibrant health. By creating informative content and facilitating empowering experiences, Didan has been able to gently guide go-getters through the transition from a standard omnivorous diet to a lifestyle where they enjoy mostly whole, plant-based eats and treats. openroad@didanashanta.com

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ADVERTISE WITH US! theopenroadmag@gmail.com

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Soul on canvas KIMBERLEE ALIASGAR

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Catharsis, Catharsis, Acrylic on canvas

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Always, Acrylic on canvas

Kimberlee Aliasgar, is a talented Trinidadian artist, who is currently teaching English in Japan. Kimberlee bares her soul on canvas using acrylic paints; alongside pencil sketches and digital art. But her passion is really fine art and conceptual art. Her influences include greats such as: Vincent van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Leonid Afremov, fellow Trinidadian Laura Ferreira and Chiara Bautista. We found that Kimberlee is simply a multifaceted human being, who uses her tools to reflect her inner struggles. Not only that, she conveys her thoughts in other forms of expression which include: writing, listening to music or outdoor photography. From our convo with her, she easily denies the title of artist. But you know how modesty goes… Kimberlee: Ah, the name. It’s always an awkward feeling whenever someone calls me an artist for I never truly feel like I deserve the title. I would say that I simply make the intangible, tangible. I am able to dive into myself and swim under the sea of emotions and resurface afterwards to spit images out on canvases.” Her earliest dabbling in art began at age nine, which she continued to pursue over the years. As she has grown, so has her art. Kimberlee: Basically I sketched everything and tried to replicate cartoon characters using pencils. Unfortunately, art was not a subject in my high school (Couva Government Secondary) at the time when we selected our course of study. I ended up choosing technical drawing to satisfy my desire for art. However, when art was added to our school curriculum I spent most of my free time hanging out in the art room and learning casually from the art teacher. It was him who first encouraged me to pursue art and he opened up a new world of possibilities. During the summer holidays before I started university, I enrolled in a basic oil painting course since I had always been interested in paints. After that, I learned on my own through YouTube tutorials. I experimented with oils, pastels, colored pencils, and acrylics as well as digital drawing. I did not pursue art as a career. I chose to 12

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keep it as a vocation. I did not want my passion to become a stressful full time job. My themes started off as simple replications of nature, to visual representations of interpersonal relationships, and then to a focus on the self. My inspiration for creating art comes from within. Whatever affects me, impacts the kind of art I produce. Emotional turmoil, love and nature. My art is very personal. I’d say it’s like a visual diary, a release, an escape. It’s my way of dealing with my inner struggles be it self-dissatisfaction, personal relationships, society’s ills and their impact on my well-being and other interpersonal relationships. I am always in awe at the beauty that surrounds us in nature and I try to capture that in my art as well. Other than commissions and requests, I do consider myself an intuitive artist. I am just a channel for my thoughts and feelings when they overflow. Whenever I feel a strong emotion, I just lay still or listen to music and close my eyes and let the images come to me. Sometimes it’s a particular color, other times it’s an entire scene or concept. I get up, completely saturated in the feeling and begin spreading the paint on the canvas. Kimberlee says that she is invested in sharing her experiences in Japan with Caribbean people through her art. She finds that Japanese and Caribbean art are very different, but both still leave the observer deeply impressed. Kimberlee: I have a Facebook page, ‘Kimberlee Aliasgar Art’, where I usually post my work, however, I am not focused on promotion at the moment since I’ve been pursuing other projects in Japan. Currently, I am working on my new project; showing Japan through my eyes on my ‘A Trini in Japan’ page on Facebook. I am also currently working on digitally illustrating and narrating my experiences in Japan, as well as photography. I will be uploading these on my Facebook page so please drop by now and then. If you compare the two, Japanese art is very subtle whereas Caribbean art is bolder and more colorful. I think both are equally attractive. There is a sort of

serene but deep feeling when you look at Japanese art. You can feel the intensity of the moment in the few brush strokes. When you look at Caribbean art, you can feel the passion from the vivid colors and feel the warmth of the culture radiating off the canvas. Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t ask her about her favourite travel spot and food. Kimberlee: I would have to say the Temple in the Sea in my hometown Waterloo, Trinidad. It is a very spiritual, peaceful place: the perfect atmosphere for art and one of the best spots for viewing gorgeous sunsets. The soft splashes of the water on the rocks, the gentle wind and vibrant sunsets all combine to give you that tranquil feeling as if lost in the middle of a painting! Favourite food? Oh that’s a tough one! For Trini food, I’d have to say curry duck and rice and for Japanese it would have to be the ever popular, sushi.

Maybe, Acrylic on canvas

Kimberlee shared her dreams and encouragement for young, aspiring artists. Kimberlee: My dream project would be to open a studio/gallery back home in Trinidad in order to promote art and encourage the youths to engage in positive activities. Growing up, I didn’t have much support for my art so I want to give budding artists the opportunity to showcase their work as well as introduce something fulfilling and meaningful to individuals who are struggling with life’s difficulties. Basically, open up a whole new world for them. What I’d say to young artists? Do not let go of your passion. Too often we are discouraged by our family, friends, and society. We are always told that we can’t get anywhere with art or it’s just a waste of time. Well, it isn’t. Stick with what you love and no matter what happens in life, you will always have that sense of fulfillment. As cheesy as it sounds, follow your heart and you will end up right where you need to be. Don’t be afraid. Trust. Your. Heart! It’s what I’ve always done, and it has brought me to where I am today; living my biggest dream!

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View overlooking the village at Shirakawa-go

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Shiragawa–go

History in the

preserving Shirakawa-go is a peaceful mountain village steeped in such beauty that it’s quite hard to ignore. With its quaint home-shops, rice fields and gardens, a rushing river and verdant hills, the scenery is truly reflective of the Japanese ‘inaka’ or countryside. But what really gives this little village its repute is its history. Anyone who knows enough about Japan knows that the Japanese have a penchant for preserving their history and culture. Shirakawa-go is a perfect example of this. The 114 gassho-zukuri styled farmhouses, some well over 200 years old, are all kept in pristine condition. The name gassho-zukuri (pronounced just as it’s spelt), literally means “hands in prayer”, which explains the very slant thatched roofs – a style which emerged in the Edo Period (1603-1868). Sitting at the foot of Mt. Hakusan, the area gets heavy snowfall each year. The slanted roofs were built to keep snow fall off easily. The houses feature spacious attics and quaint hearths where families cooked and kept warm. You can sense what life was like in the past.

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Gassho zukuri style houses

To add to the appeal of the experience is the fact that these historic homes are still being occupied by generations of families who pass on the traditions and maintain the artwork and artefacts. The village itself is a living museum, oozing with character and yet, strong retentions of proud ancestry. It is no wonder the village earned its place as a World Heritage site. Winter or summer - whatever season you choose to visit â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the picturesque views from the hill or down below make for wonderful photography! You can tell, judging from what we caught on camera.

A traditional home in Shirakawa-go

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Rushing river provides a scenic entrance to the Shirakawa-go village

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Pay Yourself First I personally hate budgets. I think they’re boring and they require far more discipline than I have. But they’re very necessary. Human nature, being what it is, usually causes us to use all of our resources (money) when we have regular expectations of those resources coming again (pay cheque). The easy way around this is paying yourself first. It’s an extremely simple concept. When you get paid, take the amount of money that you want to save and put it somewhere that’s not easily accessible. This could be a bank account without an ATM card, a family member you trust, or anything that takes a little more effort to access. The trick with this is to forget that money exists, and live off what you have on hand. You’re tricking yourself into saving, and soon you’ll consider it to be like another bill. The only thing is, this bill is a bill to yourself.

Conclusion

When Rochelle asked me to write this article, I was a bit stumped on what to write about. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had an interest in money and how it plays out in our daily lives. For the last decade, I’ve learned as much as I can and the thing that I have found is that the basics of money are very simple, but they aren’t necessarily easy. The fundaments of personal finance can be distilled down to a few key points, and my hope with this article, and subsequent articles, is to introduce you to some of these concepts.

Goal Setting The first thing that we have to look at when creating a financial plan or framework is setting goals. What do you want to do? Get out of debt? Save for a vacation? Save for retirement? Making a plan starts with a goal. My suggestion is to think long and think hard about what you want. If you’re living pay cheque to pay cheque, maybe you want an emergency fund to help you in the event of disaster. If you’re in debt, maybe you want to aggressively pay it down. There are a number of reasons as to why you should have a goal. Meeting your goal will require discipline, but there are a few ways you can start saving money. Don’t feel limited or confused about starting the process. 18

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So there you have it… a couple of things to bear in mind with regards to personal finance. If you have anything that you would like to talk about, or that you think would be interesting by all means send me an email! brandon.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

TAKING BABY STEPS IN

PERSONAL

FINANCE By Brandon Bewza

STAY CONNECTED WHILE ON THE OPEN ROAD

SUBSCRIBE TODAY Escape into the pages of OPENROAD magazine and be inspired by Caribbean people who are making amazing contributions internationally. Bask in the beautiful locations they now call home and be mesmerized by talents that have superseded the boundaries of the Caribbean sea.

Obsolecence I - Deus Ex Machina, Oil on canvas, 2015

ANDRAE GREEN

Introspection in Focus

“I knew that I was black cognitively, I never really came to grips with the idea until I was a minority.

“

Jamaican artist, Andre Green speaks to us about his journey as an artist and the portrayal of self identity in his pieces. Your work dominates the spotlight with striking imagery and realism, but there’s a very quiet persona behind the pieces. Tell us, who is Andrae Green? Hahaha…. That’s a great thought (my work dominating the spotlight anywhere)! Thank you for the compliment though. I try to put as much of myself into my work, and I guess that I leave a little bit of clues about myself in each painting. Each work probes into an idea, thought, or question that I might have at the time. My previous body of work did deal with me confronting my identity. My previous body of work explores the nuances of the collective consciousness that has been shaped by time, the sea and middle passage. I was born in Kingston, Jamaica where I attended the Edna Manley School for the Visual and Performing Arts. Soon after in 2006, I was awarded a grant sponsored by the Jamaican government and the Chase Fund to obtain my MFA in Painting at the New York Acade22

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my of Art. In 2011, I was awarded a residency at the CAC Troy, New York. My paintings have been shown internationally in the US, Jamaica, Canada, China and France. In 2012, I was one of two artists chosen to represent Jamaica in the Beijing Biennale. In 2013, I was selected as a part of the American delegation that represented the US at the Salon de Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France. I am blessed that my paintings are included in many private collections around the world.

You’re originally from Jamaica, how did you end up living where you are now, and where is this? I’ll just say that providence had a strong hand in me moving to the USA. Currently I live in Western Massachusetts. The city that I live in is called Springfield and it’s a great place to live with lots of great people. I moved to the United States when I married my wife Priya Nadkarni, who is also an artist. I met my wife while I was in New York for grad school in 2009, then my visa expired and I had to return to Jamaica. But in 2012, I married my wife while she was going to grad school at UMass Amherst.

What do you believe contributed to your big break onto the international scene? As I stated previously, the only thing that I can claim is providence. Anything that I might have accomplished has been due to a lot of hard work to hone the craft of painting, and the art of thinking and most of all providence.

You had the prestige of exhibiting one of your pieces at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France. Tell us, how did that happen and how did it feel? Well as it happened I was connected to the Carrousel du Louvre by a fellow artist. He was a part of the delegation that represented the US the previous year, and recommended me to the organizer. After that they saw my work and really liked it, and asked me to be a part of the exhibition. Needless to say I couldn’t believe it, and for a while I was in denial about it as I thought that it was a scam! When Joshua (the artist who recommended me) first told me about the opportunity I didn’t actually believe him, and I blew it off for a couple of months. Joshua had to get at me a couple of times for me to take it seriously and contact the organizer. As I said, I thought that it was a scam at first, but I finally did it, and the rest as they say is history. Going to Paris was a great experience. My wife and a couple of my friends went with me, which made the experience memorable. We saw a lot of great art and had some very meaningful experiences. I love Paris.

Your pieces capture current and historical events and figures, patterns, color, self-portraits. What inspires your themes? It’s hard to explain, but I feel the job of an artist is to synthesize the outside world into metaphors and hopefully we combine it the right way to create light and meaning to a confusing world. There are various colors and themes that I am drawn to naturally for example green and red. I have noticed over the years that these colors are in every painting and sometimes I make a very deliberate effort to change it. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t. I try to paint about issues that I am dealing with personally at the time. When I was creating this body of work I was going through an existential dilemma. After moving to New York and having to live on my own for the first time, I was confronted by the issue of race, and how I defined myself and was being defined by others (or so I thought). Previously to this, I had lived on the island of Jamaica all my life and although I knew that I was black, cognitively, I never

really came to grips with the idea until I was a minority. So as the saying goes “art imitates life”.

Why are there so many images/drawings of yourself in your work? The underlying issue was one of identity - my identity to be exact; and I felt at the time that the person that I knew the most was myself so why not start with my image. Also, there was a practical reason for this. You see, I was the only model that I had readily available to me at the time. So painting myself was both practical and fit into my ideological frame work that I had set up.

How have your themes changed as you progress in your art? The body of work that I am trying to create now is way different from the previous one! I have a solo show coming up in September 2016 and I’m planning to unveil the new work then. For me, themes change because my life changes or because I get really curious about something and I need to figure it out.

What inspires you to create art and as well what drives you? A lot of things inspire me so it’s hard to pick one. I guess it’s the medium of paint that I feel most comfortable understanding the world through.

What’s the most exciting part of your creative process? All the parts in the act of painting intrigue me and I love it all. From getting the spark of the idea and chewing on it in my mind for months, then something clicks and I know that it’s ready or good enough for a painting. Then I usually do a ton of research for images to work with. Then I work on a drawing or a couple of drawings until the image I create has the feeling of the idea that I want to express. The next step is to ready the canvas, this is a long process and it helps for me to have a vague idea of what I want the painting to look like, so that I can prepare it accordingly. Then the real work starts! Building layer after layer until the painting is done. I respect the whole process. I have come to love the ritual of it.

Has there been any exhibition/s that hold(s) a special place in your heart? If so, can you share with us?

The Louvre of course!! OpenRoadArts&Travel

Acquiescence 1 (Out Of Many One), Oil on canvas, 2012

What’s your medium of choice?

Oil paint, it’s the “cream of the gods!!” What’s your dream project (and if you have one, with whom do you envision this)? I take life as it comes, and I try to live in the moment. Life has surprised me thus far. I’m just excited to see what will happen next.

What do you think Caribbean art is missing, especially when viewed from the international scene? I don’t think that it’s missing anything. We have great artists already and adequate platforms for them to reach the world. We have people like Holly Bynoe (the director of ARC magazine who is doing such a fantastic job in giving artists exposure internationally), and the great Ebony Patterson who is blowing up in a really big way. All these things are happening in the Caribbean and by Caribbean people; and that is just a testament to the drive and wherewithal of the Caribbean spirit. WEEDS I, Oil on canvas, 2013

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Acquiescence II-3DXXXY Oil on canvas, 2013

How do you balance your “life” and your creative growth? My wife and my family back home do a great job of keeping me humble, but the greatest thing or person is my faith. I have gone through a lot of stuff but it’s my faith that really keeps me going.

Classroom or canvas? If you could choose, which would you want to do for the rest of your life? (If you can’t choose between the two please tell us why) I would say both. I have come to love teaching (both my parents were teachers, and my brother is a teacher as well). I like interacting with people and talking about art. And I also love being in the studio by myself. I’m glad to have both in my life, I don’t wanna choose!!!

Where is your favorite or most inspirational place in the world, which you have traveled to or would like to visit? I know that this sounds crazy and glib, but my favorite place to be is in my studio. That’s where I can get away from everything and focus.

When you’re not creating art what are you up to?

I’m usually hanging out with my wife. We watch movies and we eat out a lot and visit her family as well. What can I say? I like to keep it simple.

What advice do you have for young, aspiring artists in the Caribbean? Work hard at your craft, love what you do, and try to get out and see the world!!

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Minato Mirai 21: j A Charming Escape

View overlooking the Yokohama bay area from the Landmark Tower.

japan Just outside of the hustle and bustle of the Tokyo metropolis, lies the charming Minato Mirai 21 business district - the jewel of Yokohama. Strikingly beautiful, elegant, romantic, the scenery may not seem like a central business location, but a completely different and enchanting world. The expanse of the tranquil bay coupled with the corporate centre, hotels, international stores and restaurants, amusement park and wide variety of museums, appeal to lovers, families or friends. You can’t help but fall in love. Upon stepping out of the Minato Mirai subway, I immediately felt a difference in the air. Walking along the serene promenade, couples were huddled together, children were enjoying the amusement park and families were getting in their eye full of the spectacular view of the Port. Yet, in all of this, the city was so peaceful. The din of busyness was nowhere to be heard. Even more breath-taking was the city at nightfall - the hook that keeps people coming back. Lights illuminate contemporary architecture to make the scene a wonderfully tantalizing spectacle. From inside the imposing Landmark Tower, I could catch a panoramic view of Yokohama’s cityscape – 273 metres above ground. The landscape covered with intricately connected sections of the Port area against the water - man’s handiwork juxtaposed against nature. It’s a thing of beauty. For the traveller looking for something more, Minato Mirai 21 furnishes a delightful escape. An escape to something surreal, to something enlivening… to an enthralling experience.

A section of the Minato Mirai skyline.

Inside Cosmo World

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China Town, Yokohama

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5 SPOTS YOU SHOULD SEE at Minato Mirai 21: 30

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Roller Coaster ride in Cosmo World.

Landmark Tower – not for the faint of heart, the 69th floor observation deck gives 360°views of Yokohama. China Town – the largest China Town in Japan. Nippon Maru boat – part of the Yokohama Port Museum. Cosmo World Amusement Park - fun for children and adults. World Porters - a shopping complex with 6 floors of themed shopping, and much more.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Sasha Lee Hague-Seals, a very passionate, influential and motivating individual. Sasha Lee spoke about her journey, starting with a simple trip on a visitors visa with her ex boyfriend, to becoming an entrepreneur right here in Japan. She let me know that it’s not as difficult as people think. You just need to have a vision, set some goals and work on them tirelessly.

From English sensei to ENTREPRENEUR By Dave Collymore Why did you come to Japan in the first place? I came here out of curiosity in 2005 with my ex boyfriend, because I wanted to see what Japan had to offer. Our relationship didn’t even last 30 days here. Why did you stay in Japan so long? I think it’s just me being stubborn. After me and my ex parted ways, I got a job teaching English in Tochigi (2hrs north of Tokyo), which I did for 2 years. I got tired of teaching English, so I left that company and enrolled in a 6-month Japanese intensive course. And I guess Japan slowly grew on me. What inspired you to start Yumm Cupcakery? After completing the 6-month intensive Japanese course, I got a job as an executive recruiter (head hunter) for the fashion industry. However, in 2008, Lehman Brothers crashed. This made business really slow, so I went back in the classroom for 7 months. I eventually got married and got pregnant. Shortly after getting pregnant, I decided to work for myself doing what I love…baking.

“I decided to work for myself doing what I love… baking.” What’s a typical day like for you now, with a husband, two children and running a business? It’s unbelievably busy. I have to wake up early, get Maya ready for school and then I go straight in the kitchen and start baking. I supply restaurants on weekdays and I take private requests on weekends. Your husband is quite influential in the Tokyo area, how did you meet him? I went to an event put on by a group known as “Democrats Abroad” to support the inauguration of Barak Obama as the first US Black president. The “Democrats Abroad” group helps US citizens abroad to vote. I saw him at the event and I sparked up a conversation with him. Our first conversation pretty much surrounded our mutual love of Cuban cigars. Do you find it difficult to live comfortably as a foreign mom in Japan? Not at all. I have a community of foreign friends and we mutually support each other. My Japanese friends are really supportive as well. I also give advice to the foreign moms here.

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Is Japan a good place to raise foreign children? Yes it is if you have a strong support group. However, I strongly recommend that foreign mothers take back their children to their parent’s home country very often. I take back my children home to Jamaica every year. The first time I took back Maya to Jamaica, she couldn’t stop staring at the people. She now realizes that there are many people in the world that look like her. She realizes that the world is not only Japan.

Foreign children need to know their history and get international exposure.

Is Japan home for you now? Or do you have plans to go back to Jamaica? Five years ago, me and my husband bought land in Chiba prefecture (next to Tokyo) and built a house, so because we have a mortgage to pay, yes it seems like Japan is home now. If you could change one thing about living in Japan, what would it be? I would change the fact that even though I have many good Japanese friends, I don’t get the opportunity to visit their homes. I grew up in a big family in Jamaica and I enjoy being around family and friends. So much so that when I returned from Jamaica the last time, I immediately felt depressed when I came back to Japan. It was very difficult to leave Jamaica. What advice do you have for foreign mothers in Japan and foreigners in Japan? Foreign moms should create or join a support system/group, as it is essential for mental health. Foreigners should set some goals and try to achieve them. Money making isn’t enough. Make sure you find a job that benefits/supports your life plan/goal. Don’t just work for money, or you may find yourself stuck in Japan and miserable. davecollymore.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

Two Ways

anElevator Pitch Can Help You

to SUCCEED By Jhana Graham

Let’s be real with each other. All of us know of at least one person who we would really like to meet. Perhaps that person has the job, values, or connections that we envision for ourselves. Perhaps we’ve been following them on social media or have thought about what we would say to them over lunch. What exactly would you say to them? Would you be able to say it within forty-five seconds? Would you be able to share your value with the person and grab their attention? Your answers to these questions will help you to better understand how prepared you are to deliver an elevator pitch. If you are truly determined to live your best life, creating a winner elevator pitch must be on your priority list. In fact, a great pitch can help you to connect with the right people, build stronger networks, and learn from the experiences of others. If you would like to learn how to design your winning elevator pitch, head over to www.bit.ly/ epitch2win. A carefully designed elevator pitch will help you to develop personally and professionally. Here are two ways how this can happen for you!

1.You’ll become a better communicator! Designing an elevator pitch will help you to become a better communicator because you are expected to be brief, confident, and logical. In reflecting on her poem that she delivered at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration ceremony, Maya Angelou stated that if she had more time she could have made it shorter and better. Taking the time to develop your pitch presents a great opportunity for you to develop your communicative skills and make a fierce first impression. 2.You’ll reap the rewards associated with reading more widely! There’s no doubt about it, reading widely will make you more informed and may boost your confidence. Reading widely in order to develop your pitch will grab your listener’s attention, and help you to appear more interesting. John Maxwell suggests that growth and development takes place when one makes a commitment to grow. By reading widely, you’ll become more aware of the many opportunities that exist for growth. Certainly, Open Road Magazine is a powerful resource that exposes us to many amazing places and ideas – reap the rewards. These two benefits are sure keys to success. You’ll win by having an elevator pitch ready and waiting, and by learning a range of useful ideas and skills. jhana.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

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Prynt Instant Camera Phone case

Trending is instant print technology for smartphones and on the magical side of this is Prynt, an iPhone and Android phone case that snaps and prints smudge and tear resistant photos instantly. You can add frames, filters, stickers and text to your pictures before printing. What’s also cool is that Prynt has an app that embeds videos. Simply hold your phone over the image and watch it come to life in augmented reality on the screen – spooky and yet really cool.

Tech candy www.pryntcases.com

go!

ON THE

Thanks to technology today we can stay connected, share memories and of course stay charged while on the go. I must confess that before having a portable battery charger, I found myself on numerous occasions sneaking a battery charge for my phone while at a cafe or even shamelessly while having some retail therapy. Let’s face it, we’re jetsetters and however we can stay connected we’re happy to do so. So here’s a short list of affordable gadgets and accessories on the market for people who simply want to stay connected and enjoy more of their traveling experiences. kerrian.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

By Kerrian Thompson

Aukey 20000mAh Portable Charger External Battery Power Bank

This beast has a super-fast charge output (5V/3.1A total) through dual USB ports which allow for simultaneous charging of your iPad, iPhone, Android, and more at high speed. Your phone, tablet or iPad can be recharged with a 2A output adapter and the included Micro USB cable for 9-10 hour flights with juice to spare. Plus it has a built in flashlight you can use at nights! http://www.amazon.com/Aukey-20000mAh-Portable-External-Motorola/dp/ B00RJQB4IU

Knomo Balham Knomad Mini Portable Organizer

For the business savvy traveller this very slim, stylish and highly functional organizer can hold an iPad mini or any 8-inch tablet, your passport, I.D. cards, pen and USB thumb drive. It takes the ease out of dumping your carry-on bag contents at security check points and is just enough to keep you connected on a long train or bus ride. http://www.knomobags.com/wordpress

Skross World Travel Adapter

This super cool Swiss designed travel adapter accepts 2-prong and 3-prong plugs for your ease of travel to over 150 countries that may be included on your travel list. It has two types of European adapters and US adapter with an output of up to 2500W. The adapter provides the correct connection for your devices and USB slots for charging your smartphones and tablets. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002UDA3IY/?tag=059b-20 http://www.skross.com/en/product/90/world-adapter-pro-usb.html

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Devarowe Solomon: USING MUSIC TO TEACH ART By Rochelle Mighty The average art teacher in the Caribbean school setting is often overlooked. After all, most parents often encourage their children to be doctors, or lawyers… or some other “esteemed” third career. So really, art is very rarely given its recognition as a subject, much less a job opportunity. However, Devarowe Solomon is not your average art teacher, and he’s all about inspiring his students to enjoy art in a much different way than the norm. This self-motivated, energetic, 30-something Jamaican resident of the Bahamas, describes himself as one who seeks to be guided by the Holy Spirit, which gives him his creative energies. We suspect that It was the one who motivated him to develop his teaching technique, called “Arts Infusion”.Here’s the interview. What do you teach and for how long have you been teaching? I have been teaching art and music at the primary school level for over 12 years. What led you to leave Jamaica? I wanted to experience a new culture and get a better understanding of how organizations, such as schools, explore different ways for students to learn. Describe the teaching style you use. I use a teaching style that I developed in college during my final year thesis project. It involves using the arts to teach art. It is called Arts Infusion. It’s like Sesame Street meets a regular classroom. It can be anything, for example, a concert in a classroom. I utilize creativity through the arts to give the fullest effect and that makes the classroom different from just mere ‘chalk and talk’. How have students responded to your teaching method? About 98% of the students respond to my teaching by dancing, acting, and a bit of music. Some students are keen on watching the excitement. That could mean that they are responding, just not participating.

How impactful has that style been in achieving learner objectives? This style has been effective mainly because it helps students to memorize the art concept, even though art is a hands-on subject and kids generally remember the process of achieving the artwork. Music, drama, and dance help to further reinforce the core concepts, as you will hear them singing the songs on a regular basis in class and many times out of class. What challenges have you encountered in the classroom? One challenge is keeping kids safe. When they get excited during one of my original songs, they tend to dance without any regard for anyone else. Therefore, I have to limit their movement so that no one gets hurt. What motivates you to keep teaching? My motivation comes from seeing kids get a concept, and also when I see them as they enjoy the use of the arts in the classroom. When I see the effectiveness of Arts Infusion, I feel like going the extra mile for them. How do you view the kind of education system we have in the Caribbean? From an art teacher’s perspective, the educational system has a good art curriculum. There are many art concepts that students should know by the time they reach high school and the curriculum addresses them. What changes would you like to see happen in the Caribbean education system? Even though the curriculum is available, I believe all primary schools need to have a specialist art teacher. Many private institutions see the need for specialist teachers of art and music. Sadly, many governmental institutions tend not to include some of these specialist teachers among the teaching staff. Inclusion will help to solve many problems, as more students will have a better understanding as it relates to art concepts when they reach high school. roch.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

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By Christina Rodney Spring is here, and with it brings warm weather. The sun is shining and the flowers are blooming, and we can’t help but start to dream about our spring wardrobe. There is something about spring that makes us want to go shopping. We all love to look and feel fabulous, but for some that’s easier said than done. Maybe even you don’t know where to start! I think at times we all get what I’d like to call dresser’s block, which makes us suddenly forget how to put an outfit together. This can be a bit of a headache, because getting ready for an outing should be fun, not frustrating. Here are a few ideas of how to put together pieces while shopping, or perhaps using what’s already in your closet. christina.theopenroadmag@gmail.com

It’s no secret that white denim is stylish, chic, and sleek, and pairing it with just about any top is the perfection combination for a fashionable day or evening look. Keep accessories to a minimum with a dainty gold cuff bracelet, statement earring, a clutch with a bit of an edge, and a pair of killer heels. Top, White denim: H&M. bracelet: Forever21. Floral heel: Guess. Clutch, Earring: Aldo.

A cute dress like this one is ideal for your spring look. This look is suitable for both day and night wear, and can be dressed up or down according to the occasion. Throw in a pair of killer sunnies and you’re good to go! Dress, Bag,: H&M. Boots: TOPSHOP. Earring : Aldo. Sunglasses: Tom Ford. Watch: Forever21

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D we Spr he st

When it’s too hot for your favorite pair of jeans, this dress can give you that denim look you’re craving. Pair with basic statement gladiators, and accessories like hoop earrings, cuff bracelet, tropical purse and let’s not forget the shades to add that finishing touch. Dress, Sunglasses: H&M. Gladiator: TOPSHOP. Purse, Earrings: Forever21. Cuff, Ring: Guess.

Dress up your favorite pair of distressed jeans that goes with just about any top and shoes and complete with simple accessories that instantly polish off your outfit. This look will definitely never go out of style. Shoe: Chinese Laundry. Jeans, Jacket, Top, Watch, Necklace: H&M. Bag: Aldo. Watch, Earring, Shades: Forever21.

Dare say… ring is ere to tay?

This effortless romper can be paired with just about anything. Wedges are our go-to shoes because they’re stylish without the hassle of unsteady heels. You can opt to pull on a pair of slip-on shoes, with simple accessories for a comfy outing. Romper, Wedge, slip-on shoe: H&M. Handbag: Forever21. Necklace, Bracelet: Guess.

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10 WAYS To Keep Hydrated By Didan Ashanta

OpenRoadArts&Travel

When I was a little girl, I hated drinking water! I’d complain that it had no taste and preferred to drink flavoured beverages or nothing at all. My distressed mother hauled me off to the doctor in hopes that he would have some solution. By the time I was a working adult, I had gained enough ‘sense’ to see the value in keeping my cells hydrated. Soon, I was known for always having a 2-litre bottle of water, which I’d empty by around lunch time each day. But, I still have to be intentional and stay focused on drinking enough water, or I could end up like the 8-yearold me: dehydrated and not even aware. Most people are dehydrated and have no clue. That’s because our bodies don’t come with a warning lamp to signal that our water levels are low and we’re going to overheat. Since we are mostly water (even our blood, bones and tissues have water), our brains put out a number of warning signs when we need to top up our water levels. They include, but are not limited to: Dark-yellow urine: it should be so pale that you can’t quite tell you peed in the toilet. Feeling peckish: the slightly hungry feeling that keeps you snacking through the day. Headaches: this and other pains come when our bodies can’t flush out all the toxins. Constipation: without enough water, the waste in your bowels is hard and dry. Fatigue: you had a full night’s sleep, but are energy-sapped half-way through the day. Everyone seems to understand that we eat to get energy and that we burn up the calories we eat as we move our bodies and our organ systems function. But, did you realise that your body uses water in the digestion process, to flush out toxins that cause disease, to keep our organs and tissues moisturised (think of dry eyes or a dry mouth) and to regulate our body temperatures? Check out http://www.everydayhealth.com/ water-health/water-body-health.aspx With all of this work to do, our body’s water supply still decreases as we breathe, sweat, urinate, deficate and cry. About 10 cups a day is lost that way. You can read up more on http://www. dummies.com/how-to/content/why-your-bodyneeds-water.html So, how do we replenish the supply? Medical professionals and nutrition experts encourage us to drink eight 8oz glasses of pure water and eat more water-rich foods. But, when I combined the new responsibilities of being a parent and adjusting to life in a foreign country, it became much easier to ignore my body’s thirst signals. But, since I have no plans of living with frequent headaches, being literally full of faeces or

watching my beauty fade fast, I had to come up with some strategies for making sure I stayed moist and detoxed. I’ve used all of them and think you will benefit from applying them to your lifestyle too: 1. Refuse the soda that comes with your meal combo. When you eat at a fast-food spot, just ask the server to fill your cup with ice and water. 2. Match each cocktail with a glass of water. When you go partying, drink a glass of water after every beer, wine or cocktail. 3. Infuse with fruit. Some restaurants offer slices of lemon with glasses of water, but you can fill a pitcher with fruit and water in your own home. 4. Set a litre on your night table. A litre of water as soon as you wake up is the perfect way to give your internal organs a shower. 5. Keep a litre at your work station. Try to finish another litre before lunch time, by keeping the bottle on your desk. 6. Carry teabags in your wallet. Your favourite herbal or fruity teas will come to the rescue when you’re on the road and not feeling for plain old water. 7. Use a filter bottle. No need to spend money on bottled water, when you have a filter in the spout. Excuses nixed ;) 8. Install a filter on your kitchen tap. Turn it on when you fill water bottles or ice trays. Turn it off when you do the dishes. 9. Use the supermarket refillable bottles. Buy the bottle and pay little or nothing to get spring or filtered water refills when you get groceries. 10. Fill your igloo at the ice machine. You can suck on the ice during hot days or pour off the melted water to drink throughout the day. Ideal solution if your workplace doesn’t have filtered water fountains. Pick just one of these hydration hacks to keep your water levels in check, or try all ten. The most important thing is to drink enough water to stay happy and healthy. openroad@didanashanta.com

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