Yaadi Culture, Fimi Style Magazine
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What makes you happy? The question we invite readers to answer in this issue is one most of us infrequently think about. That is because we probably do what makes us happy every day. Not perhaps every hour of every day.
A job is more than a regular income, which is why unemployment cannot be assuaged for most people by a welfare payment or even contrived work. A genuinely useful, worthwhile job gives people the pleasure of contributing to the goods, services
is it
worth thinking
about ? What is in your life that makes you happy? You partner most likely. You may be
and facilities of their community. The saying that home is where the heart is and one’s heart longs for the fresh crisp breeze of one’s home is pure
well past the warm heady rush of falling in love
happiness ,once one gets to have these experience.
with
Whatever makes you happy, I hope this issue will
each
other
and
become
familiar,
comfortable and caring; that is happiness.
If there are children, that is happy.
help to foster greater happiness., especially at this time of the year; Christmas.
Grandchildren, as any grandparent will attest, are even
better.
Parenting
is
hard,
stressful,
Adrian St. P. Duncan
frustrating as often as it is exhilarating. But grand
Editor - in– Chief
parenting is pure happiness. Beyond home there is work, which is not something that makes many
Deidre D. Douglas
of us consciously happy - until the job is at risk.
Senior Associate Editor
It is then we usually realise how happy we are that we have it.
Layout & Design Contributors:
Adrian St. P. Duncan
Deidre Douglas-Brooks (Mrs.)
Deron Douglas (Mr.)
Jerdaine Sterling
Rose-Ann -Smith (Mrs.)
Sophia Bryan (Ms.)
Mahyeeka Munroe (Ms.)
Latoya Scott (Ms.)
Vanessa Williams (Ms.)
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The fresh Start Effect By: Adrian St. Patrick P.g.
Ole Time people did say By: Georgette McGlashan-Miller
P.g.
Jamaican... Facts you should know
P.g.
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New Beginnings
By:
Jamaican Superstitions By: Adrian St. Patrick
P.g.
13
Jerdaine sterling P.g.
16 Starting‌..over By: Deidre Douglas P.g.
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Yaadi Culture, Fimi Styleja
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Choose Your Path Once there was a young lady who dreamed of being great and she tried her very best to stick to the status quo of being a goody two shoes. She studied hard, she was respectful to others and she genuinely expressed
care for people in and around her life. And while a child
Never let a bad season rob you of a good life or your
that seemed enough to convince her that this is how she
great future. We all have bad days; we all have to
would arrive at her great destination. Then she met
make choices as to how we get through them.
malevolence.
She
met
loss,
hurt,
heartbreak,
disappointments, and even stress. This young woman
If I ever get to meet this young woman, I
started to feel old rather rapidly. All these were never part
would have told her based on my experience, that
of her plan and she did not have contingencies of how to
the journey in one’s life is the greatest past of it.
deal with such unwarranted events. All she ever wanted
Whatever path we take to get from birth to death is
was to be great. That’s how her story went.
the life we live and makes most of what we are re-
membered as. So whomever you want to be, whatevThere are days when we feel the best parts of us
er legacy it is that you wish to leave in this world, it
are still asleep and we just have to pull through the lull
would be best to live each day with a defined pur-
and hope for brighter days. There are times when our
pose. The thing about purposeful living is this, not
emotions have us by the jugular and we are at the mercy
every day will be sunshine and perfect weather, not
of whatever spirit tosses or blows. There are seasons in
every season will be spring but each step will have a
even the best of our lives when it simply cannot get any
goal even if it’s not achieved immediately.
worse, in our minds. Those are the days we have to be most careful of. Because when we are lowest is when we at times make some of the worst irreversible choices.
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@YaadiCulture Yaadi Culture, Fimi Styleja
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As the year closes, we always become sentimental and reminiscent. It’s our human nature, we get this fuzzy feeling when we have to say goodbye to anything we have held on to for a while. This is one of the reasons why change can be so hard. Whether
to walk a different path and live more, greater and bigger
it’s moving to a new place, leaving your old job or
than just average by just choosing to play an active role in
stepping away from a limiting relationship; we are
your own life. One of this country’s finest reggae artistes,
afraid to just get up and accept change, even when we
Buju Banton once sang
know change is good. That is why we need an extra
“The rich man's wealth is in the city. Yeah
oomph. And believe me or no, although it is said to be
Destruction of the poor is his poverty. Lord
the most depressing season of the year, the Christmas/
Destruction of your soul is vanity. Yeah, ay, yeah
New Year season has the power to send us a few
Do you hear?
levels up in life if we pay attention. It may be the cool breeze that chills us a bit
I and I, I wanna rule my destiny. Yeah I and I, I wanna rule my destiny.”
more and gets our senses tingly; or the décor and
Don’t waste life wishing and hoping; spend your
music that overnight just fills everywhere; or maybe
life living each day, and being present in each day that you
its way how people just change like green lizards and
live. The worst reality for a man at the end of his days is to
get all happy and perky; that makes us realize how
be regretful of how he lived because time spent cannot be
possible the impossible really is. Whatever the
retrieved. The tools you are given are the ones you must
situation,
sharpen and use. You may acquire others as you
it
journey along but what you are certain of are the
possible
is
ones you have now. Look within when you want to
get ahead. Plan for deterrents just as you plan for success because they will show up when you least expect them to. And never allow them to stop you from moving forward. Rule the destiny you see in your future, aim for your goals and chase after your dreams. Joyeux Noël.
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Three Great Benefits of Pregnancy Pregnancy is a very sensitive process in any woman’s life whether it’s her first or one among several; whether it’s early or later during her child-bearing years. The period can be uneventful with exception of the attention and questions, whether
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welcomed or not by the expecting mothers. Some women are more susceptible to
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certain conditions however sometimes because of other underlying illnesses,
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genetics, time in their life, lifestyle choices, amongst other reasons. Yet in any
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situation, bringing a child into the world can be viewed as one of the most
s
beautiful miracles still known to man. And as such when given the opportunity to
p
y
conceive and carry a child, one should take this chance and choice seriously. There
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are however benefits other than the experience of bringing this new life including
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glowing skin and beautiful hair.
c
t
Phenomenal sex
t
S For many women, sex improves for at least part of pregnancy. Increased blood and hormone
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levels make for awesome sex. Increased blood flow to the pelvic area during pregnancy
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(especially from the second trimester onwards) makes you more sensitive during sex. Most
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women find it far easier to orgasm, many expectant mothers experience multiple orgasms and often the heightened emotional bond between you and your partner can make for brilliantly intense experiences.
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Bye-bye menstrual cramps Reduced cancer Sooner or later after childbirth and breastfeeding, your
Both pregnancy and breastfeeding can lower your risk of
menstrual cycle will resume. But here's a welcome side
breast cancer. While the full picture of how breast cancer
effect: You may have fewer bothersome cramps. Some
is caused is still incomplete, we do know that the risk of
women even find that menstrual pain ceases altogether
developing the disease is related to your exposure to the
after pregnancy and childbirth. This pain reduction is a
special type of hormones (endogenous hormones)
well-known phenomenon, but no one knows for sure
produced by your ovaries during menstruation. Seeing as
why it occurs. One theory is that childbirth eliminates
you don't menstruate while pregnant and breastfeeding,
some of the prostaglandin receptor sites in the uterus.
decreased exposure to these hormones lowers your risk.
Prostaglandins, hormones that direct the uterus to
Similarly, fewer periods lower your risk of ovarian
contract during labour, also play a role in monthly
cancer, too. Every time you menstruate, your ovaries go
menstrual pain. This means, experiencing fewer
through a process of cell division, and when cells go
pain-receptor sites, fewer cramps.
through this process they become susceptible to cancer.
So while it may feel like your reproductive system is
working harder than ever before, the fact that your aren't
menstruating means your ovaries are getting a little
holiday.
Key points to keep in mind as a mom to be are to enrol in a clinic, follow the instructions of your doctor and do not over exert yourself. Even if it’s not your first child or you are used to multitasking all the time, like all women do, this is the time to step it down a few notches and remember you and your baby are connected, so however you treat you, you treat your baby. Happy nesting.
7 @YaadiCulture
Yaadi Culture, Fimi Style
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4. Fertility: “which yields its fruit…” The happy man
THE SECRET OF TRUE HAPPINESS Psalm 1
is fruitful - he brings forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). See also John 15:16. 5. Propriety: “fruit in season…” How wonderful this
God’s picture of the happy man
is! This man brings forth the right fruit at the right time; that is, patience in suffering, faith in trial, joy in
If we ask, What is the blessed, or happy, man like?
prosperity, etc.
verse 3 tells us. “He is like…”, and then follows a
6. Perpetuity: “whose leaf does not wither…” The
seven-fold description of the godly man, the believer,
new life received by the happy man is eternal life
the Christian.
(John 3:15), and his fruit abides (John 15:16). Look
1. Vitality: “a tree…” This denotes life, and the
up : 2 Corinthians 5:1 and 1 John 2:17.
happy man, the true Christian, has received a new life
7. Prosperity: “Whatever he does prospers.” This is
(John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:1), a
the sum of all the other six. Compare Genesis 24:1
divine life (2 Peter 1:4).
and Romans 8:28.
2. Security: “a tree planted…” This suggests a carefully chosen tree, cared for and cultivated. The life of the happy man is secure in Christ (Colossians 3:3) and John 10:28!
MAN’S HAPPINESS
3. Capacity: “planted by streams of water…” What does
a
tree
THE SECRET OF THE HAPPY
need
most?
Moisture.
Is
there
sufficient? Yes - “rivers” (KJV)! In Christ the happy man has all that he needs for time and eternity - look
Is there a secret? Yes! It is clearly stated, first negatively and then positively, in verses 1 and 2. It is a four-fold secret:
up Romans 8:16-17; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians
1. Repentance. This is implied in verse 1 by the three
4:19; Colossians 2:9-10.
words “not”, “or”, “or”. All have sinned (Romans 3:23), but the happy man has repented of his sin. Repentance is “a change of mind that leads to a change of action” (Isaiah 55:7). 8
@YaadiCulture
Yaadi Culture, Fimi Style
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So it must be complete – a turning from the counsel of the
wicked,
from
the
way
of
sinners
THE SOLEMN PATH AND PROSPECT
and
OF THE UNHAPPY MAN
from sitting with the mockers. (Notice, before we leave verse 1, three names for the unhappy man; also,
Unbelievers are described as the wicked (verses 1,
the subtle progression of sin - “walking…standing…
4, 5), sinners (verses 1 and 5), and mockers (verse
sitting.”)
1). Notice that:
2. Faith. This is indicated in verse 2. This man is now
1. 1. The path, the position and the prospect of
happy because he has turned from verse 1 to verse 2;
the unbeliever is quite different from that of the
from sin to God, to Christ; to the will, the word and
believer (verse 4).
the way of the Lord. He is now a man of faith.
2. 2. The unbeliever is like “chaff” – no life, no
But he is also a man of:
vitality, no fruitfulness, no security, no stability –
3. Obedience. “His delight is in the law of the Lord”;
no value (verse 4).
therefore he is a man of obedience, and faith plus
3. 3. The unbeliever will be condemned in the
obedience brings true happiness.
Judgment (verse 5).
Trust and obey, For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, 4. Communion. Verse 2 tells us that this man is made
4. 4. The unbeliever will be separated from the believer (verse 5). 5. 5. The unbeliever will perish (verse 6; John 3:16).
and kept happy because he meditates day and night in
Are you happy, or unhappy? Blessed, or
the Word of God. This speaks of true fellowship with
un-blessed? Have you passed from death to life
God - which is the fourth and final secret of true
and entered into true happiness? If not, read “The
happiness.
Secret of the Happy Man’s Happiness” again, and make each of the four steps your own.
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As the Christmas season is upon us, we look forward to the festivities, food (egg nog, chocolate tea, sorrel, Christmas cake soaked with rum), family and enjoyment that the holiday brings. Just like that though after all the excitement within a few days a New Year rolls in. At this time, many persons start to do a lot of retrospection about the year that was with hopes and dreams of a better year to come. Persons
successful at everything we do. Everyone is writing his or her own life story and walking their unique paths. Mistakes and failures are important and will help one to grow, so we should try to learn the lessons from them.
believe that the New Year signifies new beginnings to
Perhaps, rather than making new and
wipe the slate clean and start afresh. While this is
grandeur resolutions you should just start on the
good, we have to stop and take stock of the things that
ones you did not get right in 2017. Certainly, we
went well and those that did not go as planned.
should celebrate the ones that went very well such
What measuring stick are we using to assess ourselves? Are we using other people’s lives to judge
as graduations or promotions etc that add fulfillment to our lives.
our strides and improvements? Achieving our goals and dreams is never an easy road. If it were, we would all
be
so
10 Yaadi Culture, Fimi Styleja
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BY : SOPHIA BRYAN
To keep the celebrations going, we should try
to win at the other areas we didn’t get right. Ask yourself questions, why were these goals and dreams important too and what can you do differently this time around? Your why has to big, as it is what will motivate you to take actions, which otherwise would just
especially done consistently to form a habit or
end up being just that- another new year’s resolution.
routine will no doubt pay off. Start utilizing that
Action is the major key
and
free gift of a diary or calendar you get at Christmas as a valued customer at that store or company you visit
often during the year.
For thirty
minutes
challenge
every
day,
yourself before you go to bed to write short notes about your day, what are you grateful for and the top
three
items
which
are
priority to be done the next day. You may not get it right a few many times but don’t let that stop you. Keep improving and keep it moving.
Cheers to a blessed Christmas and New Year!
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The games played by children in Jamaica is a mix of some old-fashioned games with some unique innovations that make them Jamaican. The names of some may be different but they are similar to games played around the world.
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Dandy Shandy This is a ball game consisting of at least 3 players (and maybe 4 if possible to be more exciting). This game must be played outdoors in a big/wide open area, preferably on a grass field. For the experts, a bare ground will do. A ball is used for pitching/throwing at speeds up to 120 miles per hour at the player standing in the middle. The “ball� is usually a stuffed 1-pint juice box, stuffed fully with newspaper and the four corners are rounded off.
2 Brown Girl in the Ring This is a Ring game. Players form a ring holding hand, one girl goes into the middle of the ring and starts skipping around to the beat of a little catchy tune.
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Christmas is a great time to be in Jamaica. As in other western societies, there is a bustling mixture of religious and secular activities.
Houses 1
are decorated and many people put up Christmas trees. Those who don't
will sometimes indulge by stringing a few pepper lights somewhere in their yards.
All through December there are parties, dances and street jams, which in
most major towns culminate on Christmas Eve. On this night, called 'Grand Market' night, Jamaicans of all ages gather in the town centres to socialise, eat, drink, dance and have fun.
Children are allowed more freedom on Grand Market night, staying out late, roaming the streets, and often being treated to toys of their choice. Music is everywhere. Street vendors selling food, toys and gifts set up their stalls in every available space from early in the day. The party goes on until morning, punctuated by the sound of firecrackers, despite them being strictly illegal.
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On Christmas Day, families gather together, and many
Jamaicans go to church - even some who've been partying all
night! Traditional western carols (e.g. Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful) are popular, as well Caribbean Christmas songs (Sing de Chorus Clap you Han). Christmas dinner may include ham, roast chicken and rice and peas. Gifts are exchanged, and although Santa Claus may visit a few children, he is not widely believed in. 13 Yaadi Culture, Fimi Styleja
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These areas were decimated by hurricanes w significant loss of lives and damage
A
properties. Horrific scenes from these are s individuals across the globe
were heart-rending and millions of people a
anticipate the usual festivity and
still a long distance away from living norm
fanfare associated with Christmas,
lives again. Many are without basic necessit
several other members of the global village will
including: food, water, electricity and medic
still be in recovery mode having experienced the
supplies. The destruction of aforemention
wrath of Mother Nature in 2017. As humans,
places, are strong reminders of the frailty of t
oftentimes we take the grace and mercy of God
human
for granted and display attitudes of entitlement
recognizing
concerning the things that we temporarily own
belong to us.
race
and that
the
nothing
importance on
this
and occupy on this earth. My heart goes out to the people of Barbuda, Dominica, Puerto Rico, the US and British Virgin Islands, St. Martin as well as those in Houston, Texas. 14
ea
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These disasters also serve as reminders that as
with a people, we ought to be our “brothers’ to keeper” as required by our Lord and Savior
eas Jesus Christ. It is no secret that the Christmas
are season has great significance in the lives of
mal Jamaicans and is firmly entrenched in all strata
ties of the nation. However, as a people, I think it
cal is imperative that we
ned show added gratitude
the to the creator this of Christmas
for
arth extending his hands of mercy
upon
our
The
old adage of “no man is an island, no
man
stands
alone” is no folly and should not only be recited but put into action. I am challenging my fellow Jamaicans that during the Christmas season,
be
a
blessing
to
at
least
one
individual
sharing
by
with
those in need.
island.
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CONTINUES ON NEXT PAGE
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CONTINUATION FROM PAGE 15
If you
are
blessed
resources
with
whether
food, paint, clothing,
money or anything that can assist someone in
The word of God states that he loves a
need especially those in the
cheerful giver and it is more
affected
blessed
islands,
make
a
to
give
than
to
concerted effort to reach out to
receive. In his sermon on Mount
ODPEM and other agencies
in St. Matthew 5, Jesus also
that
pointed out that the merciful are
are
shipping
relief
assistance to these areas. The life of Christ while he was on earth epitomized love, kindness and compassion just to name a few. It is not ironic that Jesus is the reason for the season and as a result, let us aspire to engage in activities that will make the master proud.
blessed and they SHALL obtain mercy. I am cognizant of the fact that many Jamaicans have already contributed to our distressed neighbors however, the level of assistance required can never be too much. As we pull out the stops to have a mercy Christmas, let
us put well needed smiles on the faces of our brothers and sisters in the region through our prayers and substance. Selah.
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You are sitting on your open porch with a cup of warm chocolate tea in your hand, the steam slowly wafts up to massage your nostril, and the aroma caresses your taste buds. Spread out ahead of you is a breathtaking view of rolling hills and dipping valleys; greenery contrasted against the early morning hue created by the rising sun. You breathe in, you sigh, you are content, you are happy.
Often
times we are told that there is no blue print to happiness,
each
individual has a different path to happiness and we each have a different perception of what we need to be
happy and what it
means to be happy. But there are some basic principles that can aid in our quest as individuals towards happiness. As we move into the festive season and beyond, a few words to the wise might bring you some cheer. Key among them is to maintain a grateful heart. Be mindful as much as possible of the simple things that contribute to your daily life and your peace of mind. Having a grateful heart will keep you aware of the goodness happening in your life.
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Secondly, maintain your peace of mind. This will involve you limiting your exposure to
your own journey, remembering that every-
situations, people, places and things that
one’s story is different and no two tales are
detract from what makes and keeps you
the same.
happy. Invest in more of the things that bring
As we walk among each other each day, be
you peace. Take leisurely walks when you can,
kind, be gentle, me mindful, be present, be
interact with people who you care about and
true and be you. Happiness is both a journey
who care about you, exercise both your mind and your body regularly and ensure that you get adequate rest.
F
inally, set and maintain goals for your life
with
your
own
timeframes.
Oftentimes, we become caught up with
what is happening around us, what our friends and acquaintances are doing and/or achieving. But key to being happy, is to stay focused on
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Happiness is an emotion felt in times of joy, contentment and bliss. It is the one emotion POEM FEATURE
that brings tears not of sadness or grief but of joy, to one’s eyes. It can be found in the place with your loved ones or sometimes with complete strangers leaving a sense of excitement in its wake.
Happiness can be brought forth with small or grand gestures, life changing moments or the beginning of something new. Whether in solitude or in the company of others; happiness can be discovered everywhere, the only trick is to send it on to others who need it, lend a helping hand and light the spark of happiness in another’s life.
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“Down in Jamaica, there’s hot sunny weather, and people are warm and friendly
all the time, now it’s the Christmas season and fun cyaah done, so have a joyful irie Christmas in the sun”. The Stage Crew, Christmas In The Sun
Sadly, the most noticeable difference is that the only
exciting thing for my family is the Christmas dinner and the possibility of exchanging gifts. Clearly being used to the month long planning, excitement and activities,
this
lackluster
celebration
pales
in
Sometime between the end of November and
comparison and leaves me longing for the times
December 1 in Jamaica, a different wind blows,
when…
Christmas breeze. People start being nice to their
everyone in Jamaica is whitewashing their
neighbors, long held disagreements pardoned,
decorative stones and repainting walls and
children stop being annoying and disrespectful,
grilles and “spring cleaning” their houses
though their motive may be different, and the
from top to
temperature drops a few degrees. These
bottom,
changes herald in the Christmas season, usu-
enlisting
ally a month long celebration.
help of many
On the contrary the only "Christmas breeze"
unwitting
that I feel here up north in Canada is the
children with
drop in temperature, from as early as
the promise of
October! Most days, just hustling to get out
treats
of the cold, you barely even notice the
threats;
the
or
transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas if not for the store front decorations, that have signaled the "season of giving".
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Downtown Kingston is buzzing with noisy plastic toys that only entice children with their obnoxious sounds and colors and the latest Christmas mix tape, parents are bawling down the prices of gungo peas herds of people flock to the cities, often
and sorrel from vendors;
leaving their homes early in the morning
parents who are employed are rushing home
to avoid some of the inevitable crowds,
from work Christmas eve, having given
competing with others for essential
their
Christmas supplies (curtains, new sheets
instructions: to “mix up d butter and the
and bedding, liquor and food stuff in the
sugar, tek out the meat mek it thaw out,
market), and perhaps trying to win the
shell di peas, and draw di sorrel till mi
acclaim of prettiest house among their
come”; and those who have been home
family members;
were working just as hard…
child(ren)
a
laundry
list
of
Nevertheless, we try to make do with what we can through reliving these memories and spending time with our families. I no longer have to dream of white Christmases, what I dream of now is reliving those days when “in the W est Indies every Christmas is a time for all to smile, in the wintertime there’s a sweet sunshine, at Christmas Jamaican style”*.
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Christmas
is described as
I wanted to travel around the country
the best season
and look at the light up. I wanted to
across the Caribbean. It is the period
smell the cake and ham baking from my
where we noticed a change in the
neighbour’s house. I wanted to go into
atmosphere, not only by the chilly, windy
the town which open later than normal
weather,
Everybody
and just watched all the shoppers even if
seems joyful and at peace and their faces
I did not buy anything. I wanted to take
are often radiant with laughter. Recently,
part in the big spring clean where we
as I sat, reflected and reminisced on
would
Christmas with some graduate students,
ornaments and flowers and placed them
joy, laughter and at times, a bit of
in the sun to dry. Then I wanted to help
sadness filled the room as we went down
my mother dressed the house and fall
memory lane.
asleep leaving her as I can’t understand
F
or the past few years, I spent my
why every year she waited until Christ-
Christmas in Kingston and not my
mas eve. That was a little part of Christ-
beautiful island, St. Vincent. Every year
mas in St. Vincent and I wanted to visit
at Christmas, I got homesick. As I
country to get the experience.
questioned
and
Christmas
was,
but
the
people.
expressed
wash
every
stuff
animal,
how
dull
I listened in excitement as one grad
told
that
student shared her Hanover experience.
Christmas in Kingston was different than
Her experience was so similar to mines
in the country. So I got excited about
and
experiencing this country Christmas.
Christmas was the real deal. The spring
I
was
it
seems
true
that
Country
cleaning was a major feature with plenty work.
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Yet it continued because of that feeling you get when you wake in the morning. The feeling of newness and heavenly beauty.
The
house
felt,
looked
and
For
that one day, our homes were
rich
with
meats, pies, fruits and
varying salads. We also had the famous
smelled like Christmas. We would have
Christmas
an early bath and put on our new
mostly visible during this season.
clothes. Yes, we bought special clothes just
for
drink; sorrel which was
And then was the Christmas cake which
Christmas
is called black
day.
cake
They
several
on
island
had
my
which
Grand
at times were
Gala,
so strong you
similar to our night
can get drunk
shopping.
simply
there
Then, was
by
smelling it. In
the
cooking! While there was some difference
my
some
seven
years
of
spending
in what we cooked, there were some
Christmas in two different communities
common characteristics. For one thing,
in Kingston, I have never smelled a cake
there was plenty food and boy, did we
bake, except my own. Yet to my surprise,
eat!
I was able to witness a cake war over the Pricemart cakes on social media. Oh how I long for a good country Christmas where the neighbours will share a little of their cake and wine for a little of your cake and wine!
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For years I have been battered and bruised
I learned a great deal of my survival skills out of
supposing that it was a consequence of my
school, on the road to and from KC. My journey
decision to acquire my secondary education at one
experiences will reflect that of hundreds of other
of the country’s most lauded institutions for
students who have and are still taking the journey
learning: Kingston College. However, the problem
every day. The distance from Morant Bay to
never arose because I enrolled in an all-boy
Kingston and vice versa is ROUGHLY 37 miles
institution as one may presume; rather, the
(59.3 km) which translates into a 1hr 29mins bus
journey I took for seven years being the source of
drive according to Google Maps, but I am
my tattering.
certainly convinced otherwise based upon my THE JOURNEY
As with every road that leads to a beautiful destination, it wasn’t easy. There were mornings when my day started at 5am and ended at 8pm, with only the hours of 8am to 3pm being spent at school. Even though seven hours were typically the amount of structured education I would have on any regular day given an hour for lunch, my lessons exceeded that.
familiarities. For the times when I spent almost seven hours travelling between destinations; they were owing to poor transportation circumstances of all sorts, from the difficulty in acquiring transportation to flooded or blocked roadways. There were days that these conditions kept me from attending school, not that I minded the days off anyhow. It was taxing on the body, mind and soul to take the journey five days per week especially when I had
“Success is a journey, not a destination. The
to get out of my comfortable bed right when sleep
doing is often more important than the outcome.”
would start to become most interesting, but these
Arthur Ashe
were the taxes I was willing to pay.
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I had my shares of difficulty commuting, but I
When I started KC I was just a kid, but after seven
also had my fair slices of joy and laughter. I still
years, and ten drilling bus trips five times per
cannot hide the truth that the thing I loved the
week I started to become what society labels as a
most about getting up and travelling to and from
man. I give credits to where they are due. School
Kingston for seven long years were my destina-
played its part, my parents did too, but most of my
tions: Kingston College and home. Both endpoints
life’s pivotal lessons were accredited to the jour-
gave me something to look forward to while being
ney I took twice per day, to and from school.
en route; home gave me rest, but school gave me
These experiences hardened me well. Besides the
life.
countless of times I had to stand for the duration
I was never enthusiastic about the formal setting
of the ride. I have fallen into more potholes than I
of school and I am still not; I believe it limits
can count, but this made me understand the
students’ capacity to be their own selves and
hardness of life. The scale could have easily
maybe that accounted for the reasons I garnered
tipped in the opposite direction for me as I have
so much knowledge on the rocky road. But I loved
witnessed it to have happened to many others
my school. History proves that my love for
who’ve trodden a very similar path, but for my
Kingston College existed before I even set foot
positive outlook I give sheer acknowledgments to
onto its Melbourne Park campus in the summer of
my home and to God for moral fittings.
2005. KC was my home away from home and everyone there was family. The significant difference that I found
with being at home versus being at the home of the brave (KC) is in the vastness of brothers I had, and that gave me purpose.
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