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Welcome to
Yaadi Culture, Fimi Style Magazine
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Summer break is the best break ever. You doing school work etc. get months off, the weather is fine, and you have tons of time and energy to plan numerous activities and trips to the beach and the country with your family and friends.
G
enerally,
summer
is
a
wonderful time of year. The trees filled with ripe sweet, and sour, fruits, the grass is
very green, lush and always welcoming for
When the word summer is uttered, it a picnic, the beach seductively whispering brings various thoughts to individual’s your name and the list continues. minds; for the adult, it brings them back to days of fun and laughter. For the child, it brings to mind days away from school playing and having fun with friends and families and sleeping for prolonged periods without feeling guilty about not
Layout & Design Contributors:
Despite the fun and games, summer is not as favorable for all and this issue will explore aspects of the Jamaican summer as well as postulate changes for future summers to come.
Adrian St. P. Duncan
Deidre D. Douglas
Editor - in– Chief
Senior Associate Editor
Adrian St. P. Duncan
Deidre Douglas
Georgette McGlashen-Miller
Ann-Marie Scott
Vanessa Williams
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Never Forget “Never forget to be happy or appreciative, regardless of the situation you find yourself in. Never forget to smile, sometimes you have to be your own and only inspiration and a smile can uplift your spirit even on the lowest and darkest days� .-Dasouda Just last month I had the pleasure of celebrating another year of life, and I had all these plans but alas, I sobered up and had pleasant yet mellow Wednesday. I took the time to reflect on how far I have come since I met me. There were days when I could not foresee getting to this point and days when I thought I should be greater than this, but alas, where I am is where I am to be. The important aspects of my life take precedence in my mind whenever I get the time to slow down, and so these are the memories that pop up at these times. While growing up I use to say a poem by Gwendolyn Brooks, called Andre
I had a dream last night. I dreamed I had to pick a Mother out. I had to choose a Father too. At first, I wondered what to do, There were so many there, it seemed, Short and tall and thin and stout. But just before I sprang awake, I knew what parents I would take. And this surprised and made me glad; They were the ones I always had! I can only imagine how many seemingly adorable children have at least once thought that they would have chosen differently if they had had a choice. I know I have. But I have come to a level of maturity where I can proudly say, I got the right ones. Twenty something years have passed since my mommy first had to be strolling around three children and a bunch of nieces and nephews, and it was maybe at that time that the seeds started to be planted in my mind about what kind of life I wanted. And so without any external influence except the fact that it is now summer, I started remembering the fantasies of my childhood, when all I wanted was to one day become above all, as great a mother and wife as I believed my mother to be. 5
Yaadi Culture, Fimi Styleja
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Cont’d
Now
that I am older and
somehow
wiser,
I
have
renewed respect for her and reverence at the kind of woman she truly is. I now wish to be brave enough to become half as great. My father was, is and will always be dearest to my heart, even on his worst days. I will admit that this may be because he is my only father and I am his only daughter. We have a bond that is cosmic and spiritual and I love him this world over. He is such a great influence in my behaviour, character and choices; sometimes I have to pinch myself at the realisation of how similar we get at times. They say nature trumps nurture, and in reflecting I wonder who could have parent me, as my current self except these parents. Who could have “siblinged” me like my brothers? Who would have been able to love me more or tolerate me longer? I regress to God had a
educated, well nurtured, well socialized, well
I
cultured. I hope I never forget to give thanks. t is always a joy to remember the times of innocence when we thought only simply and purely. When we ran around in the sun or played in the rain or
stayed at the beach all day. The times when we enjoyed sitting under fruit trees and basking in their bounties; When we had plenty of nothings to do and all the time in the world to dream and live inside our heads. I do hope we never forget. The days are speeding away and we are all caught up in our separate lives, I hope we take the time out of our busy schedules to create and log the memories of today, so that tomorrow we will have stories of our own to share with our own. Let us take a few moments to write on the walls of our minds and hearts, or those of others so that we won’t live empty lives. Let us take note of our thoughts and actions in order to better versions of ourselves, actively pursuing newness and improvement each day .
master plan, and I am just a pawn in the whole scheme of things. But happily so, because I was raised well; well loved, well @YaadiCulture
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our eyes, hearts and minds wide open, we
Let whole
have the power and opportunity to change us not only aim for greatness the game big time. So whether it is matters but for completeness, to be of the heart, mind, body or soul, be bold, be
beings,
comfortable
physically, strong and never forget where you have
emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The onus is on us to take charge of our lives, I
been, and where you set out to get to. One love
have learnt. In looking back we can move “As soon as you stop making everyone else forward, and make strides to goals once
responsible for your happiness, the
thought unattainable. Whatever the necessary
happier you’ll be.” ― Nina Guilbeau
steps are to be taken, it is high time we do us instead of waiting on someone else to set things into
motion. Even without doing
anything but staying alive, time goes by, moment by moment, day by day. And so it is in my mind very obvious, that whether we are bad or good, stable or unstable, influential or influenced, victims or victors in this life, life does go on. My advice is therefore, set goals and never forget them, regardless of the obstacles that will present themselves at different points. There will be blind spots and curve balls but when we enter situations with
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@YaadiCulture Yaadi Culture, Fimi Styleja
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Continued on Page 35
Yaadi Culture, Fimi Style
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In rural Clarendon, the long, hot summer months used to mean books, Vacation Bible School, high
paradise, especially when the mosquitoes started
dives in Suttons River, football afternoons,
feeding. To us home air-conditioners units were
dominoes and war games. Our times are safer—
rare; only about 10% of homes had them (around
and waaay more fun.
80% of modern homes are climate-controlled).
Of all the seasons, summer seems to evoke the
When it got hot, you turned on a fan. When it got
most childhood memories, probably because of its
real hot, you prayed for a thunderstorm.
singular status as the Season of No School! Ah,
People prayed a lot more back then, at least
the freedom to cavort beyond the reach of
publicly, perhaps in part because it was still legal.
scolding teachers and paddle-wielding assistant
At my public school in Chapelton, Clarendon, we
principals, to pursue the idle arts of cloud-gazing,
started each day with the Lord's Prayer, and heads
star-counting, making firefly lanterns and perhaps
bowed prior to most sporting events, cook outs and
even
any other occasion where food was consumed.
skinny-dipping
with
an
adventurous
cheerleader (or, more likely, her less-glamorous
Also unlike today, we didn't watch much television
A
during summer break. There were only two
cousin).
s we grow older, we are naturally
channels, and TV played a far-distant fiddle to the
inclined to compare summers then
preferred
with summers now. To no one's
enlightenment: books, “ball ground”, “river cook
surprise, many of us, from the
out”. We might be out of school, but we had
our
and
summer reading lists, which these days don't seem
middle-age distemper, find that summers aren't
to be as rigorous. A National Education Association
what they used to be. Let us count a few of the
newsletter noted a couple of years ago that
ways.
middle-school students in the Arlington Central
First off, most of us born in the '80s spent
School District outside New York City in America
summers in the raw, sweltering bosom of Mother
were required to read at least one book during the
Nature, which, with all due respect, wasn't exactly
summer. One whole book.
heights
of
knowledge,
wisdom
vehicles
of
entertainment
10 @YaadiCulture
and
.
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This
is something that we need to do in order to get our children
back to where they originally were; summer days. I recall (dimly) reading 40 books one summer—some
assigned and
some part of a local library program. This wasn't our only bookish experience. For many children in our neck of the woods, Vacation Bible School was a requirement besides dispensing cookies, watermelon and Kool-Aid, these programs focused young minds on talking snakes, parting seas and Jezebel's dangerous allure. We still sang "Onward Christian Soldiers," which was excellent preparation for many an afternoon's chief activity: playing war with toy guns. Contemporary gunophobes will gasp, but guns were as common as iPhones are today. Most boys I knew had at least one toy rifle, pistol or submachine gun (preferably, one of each). As we grew older we got BB-rifles, which were used
older we got BB-rifles, which were used (one cringes to recall) to reduce the local bird population and harass mongoose and other creatures further down the Great Chain of Being (we were all devout speciesists). The larger fact is that, by today's standards, most parents of that era deserved to do time at Fort Augustus & at Horizon Correctional facility. What sinners they were! They sent us outside without sunscreen, let us ride bikes without helmets and jump on trampolines without "safety barriers," and smiled as we vied with our siblings for the premier spot in the family sedan: the ledge underneath the back window, where you could stretch out and take a nap. This isn't to say that they didn't run a tight ship. When we got out of line we were "corrected" with the help of leather belts or expertly wielded hairbrushes (known in some households as "Officer Porcupine" “Doctor Feel good” or some other name that fits the belt). 11
Yaadi Culture, Fimi Style
Continued 12
because our parents had been through the Great
In
Depression and World War II, which made postwar
that can foster
life seem relatively placid. Accidents happened, but
one is to channel our experiences into
they were accepted as part of life.
socialization
Still, for all our nostalgia, we have accepted some
and grandchildren. Teach your child about
of the changes that make modern summers so
your past and allow them to be appreciative of
different from summers past. Should the sun
what they have today. Take them into the sun
suddenly blink off, for example, we might
more often and on camping trips and outdoor
acknowledge this as a significant setback for our
activities; less internet, more Saturdays at the
species—but a giant leap forward in the battle
park. Believe me this will be good for all
against
parties involved as well as help to foster better
Yet
back then, fixating on possible death and injury would be seen as neurotic.
sun-related
wrinkling.
Perhaps
cancers
and
this
was
premature
short,
summers
of
yesteryears’ are gone and the summers of today are
here to stay; at least a while. The only thing livelihood of that era in this opportunities for our children
communications and relationships with and between parents and children.
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What Is Zika Virus? Zika virus is a member of the Flaviviridae family and is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes. It is related to other pathogenic vector borne flaviviruses including
dengue, West-Nile and
Japanese encephalitis viruses but produces a comparatively mild disease in humans. In 2007, Zika virus caused an outbreak on the island of Yap in the Pacific. This was the first documented transmission outside of its traditional endemic areas in Africa and Asia, and Zika virus is considered an emerging infectious disease with the potential to spread to new areas where the Aedes mosquito vector is present.
Transmission modes Zika virus is transmitted to humans mainly by certain species of Aedes mosquitoes. Some of these species bite during the day as well as in the late afternoon/evening -
Clinical Presentations The main clinical symptoms in patients are fever, conjunctivitis, transient arthritis/arthralgia (mainly in the smaller joints of the hands and feet) and maculo-papular rash (that often starts on the face and then spreads throughout the body). In general the disease symptoms are mild and short-lasting (2-7 days). There is no evidence that Zika infection affects pregnant women or their babies.
Reservoir The virus reservoirs are presumably monkeys.
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Diagnosis Zika virus can be identified by RT-PCR in acutely ill patients and from day 5 post onset of fever by serology (detection of specific IgM
For newborn children under three
months, repellents are not recommended; instead, insecticide-treated bed nets should be used.
antibodies). Serological cross-reactions with closely related flaviviruses are possible
treatment
Prevention To reduce the risk of contracting Zika virus
Symptomatic only (non-steroid anti-
infection - as for the other mosquito-borne
inflammatories, non-salicylic analgetics);
infections - travelers should minimize the
no vaccine or preventive drug is available
exposure to mosquito bites by taking the following preventive measures:
Use
of
anti -mosquito
devices
(insecticide-treated bed nets, coils, smudge pots, spray, repellents) and wearing long sleeves and
More information, visit:
clothes with long legs, especially during the
http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/healthtopics/
hours of highest mosquito activity (morning and
zika_virus_infection/factsheet-health-
late afternoon). Mosquito repellent based on a
professionals/Pages/
30% DEET concentration is recommended;
factsheet_health_professionals.aspx
Before using repellents, pregnant women and
children under the age of 12 years should consult a physician or pharmacist; 15 @YaadiCulture
Yaadi Culture, Fimi Style
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This
adage
was a
Skuul Uova Dangki Ton Uova School Over Donkey Turn Over {School is out of Session}
wonderful refrain on the lips of
children, especially at primary school level, at the end of the day. As soon as the bell rang for the end of the school day, I can distinctly remember my friends and I chanting ‘skuul uova, dangki ton uova!’ Skuul uova, dangki ton uova’. It was accompanied by various histrionics and
bodily poses of excitement
and grandeur. Then we would run off through the school gate, to the bus stop or begin
S
uddenly, this old saying doesn’t bring excitement to me anymore. I am feeling uncomfortable as I begin
to
investigate
the
proposition, the comparison, and the allusion of who the ‘dangki’ represents. Firstly, the donkey is an animal associated with hard work and is usually referred to as a ‘beast of burden’, a hint of stubbornness and receives occasional beatings to go perform beyond the norm. Immediately my options of persons of whom the donkey metaphor symbolized got clear. The donkey could not be the teacher and therefore has to be the student. Now it was
walking towards home.
clear; the donkey is me and my friends ad all
Now it is Summer and school is about to be
the children at school. What a horrible
out of session for a whole two months. I’m
realization – ‘skuul uova, dangki ton uova’.
almost tempted to say, ‘di dangki ton uova so tel im luk ded’, translated, ‘the donkey has turned over until he appears dead’. The donkey is sleeping, lol. I have never really given any thought to this proverb until now and I am realizing that my subconscious has already attached a meaning to the word ‘donkey and
Let me explain my understanding as to why this is horrible. The adage is describing our children’s interaction with education in a very negative light. Education is represented as hard work, a burden, a heavy load; and the children are the beasts of this burden.
the duration of his rest period (ton uova) in 16
relation to school’. @YaadiCulture
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Who, at intervals may be beaten to comply
I am not sure where these ideas of
with the work that is administered to them.
comparing out children to animals in a
Who could have come up with this negative
negative way began, but my suggestion is
connotation? Could this be one reason that our
to stop; discontinue.
children respond to education in this manner?
I would also suggest that learning is not an
Because it is seen as no fun – is often used as
institutional activity that occurs only at
punitive. For example, how many times have
schools. But learning is a fun and
you heard ‘go tek yu buk!’, used in a
continuous life long experience. While
manipulative way to keep a child quiet and in
education may be institutionalized and
line with good discipline?
commercialized, it should not be seen as a
Further, this implies that fun exists outside of school and outside of education. During the break from school, there will be no form of learning activity occurring. This explains to my mind, the unwillingness on the part of many students to complete homework assignment etcetera, because ‘skuul uova’. In a well-known children’s story of Pinocchio, similar comparison is made with education and children.
tool to demoralize and dehumanize our children or ourselves.
In this
sense, school is never over and there are No
donkeys in school or out of school. No donkeys
associated
with
school.
Mr. Donkey is in the pasture enjoying grass, or may be today he is helping to sell coconuts in the market, or who knows, probably sitting in the shade with his
The story tells us that, little boys who do not
family, being happy that he is a donkey and
go to school and went off to have fun instead,
not a boy.
resulted in them being turned into donkeys and thrown in the sea.
Until next time, Waak Gud and Tek Kier and memba, Oudi and Tengki no Brok No Skwier.
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There are a lot of historical facts that people are unaware of when it comes to Jamaica and its people. Here are a few, let see how much you actually know about before this. On his second voyage to the New World in 1494, the tip of the Blue Mountains in Jamaica was the first land sighted by Christopher Columbus..
Jamaica was the first commercial producer of bananas in
the Western Hemisphere.
Jamaica also was the first island in the Caribbean to produce rum on a commercial basis.
The Manchester Golf Club in Jamaica , established in 1868, is the oldest in the western
hemisphere.
Apart from the United States, Jamaica has won the most world and Olympic medals.
Jamaica has more multiple (two or more) live births than anywhere else in the world.
Jamaica was the first country to impose economic sanctions against the apartheid regime of
South Africa.
Jamaica was the first Caribbean island to enact legislation, "The Motion Picture Industry
(Encouragement) Act" to promote the making of films.
Jamaica is the first country to sign a Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
grant agreement.
Jamaica was the first tropical country to enter the IOC Winter Olympics. The bobsleigh
team's efforts inspired the film ‘Cool Runnings’.
Jamaica was the first colony England acquired by conquest. This was in the year 1655
when the Spanish were driven from the island.
We have the second largest butterfly in the world (The Giant Swallowtail).
18 Another of the interesting facts on Jamaica is that it was the first British colonial territory to
establish a postal service (in 1688).
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Superstitions
permeate many aspects of Jamaican life. Not surprisingly, the cultural influence most often cited is African. What may be
unrecognized, however, is that the area with the strongest retention is death, including burial practices. Most of these beliefs are born out of fear of the unknown; fear of what happens after death and how it can affect the living.

Some old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
This familiar rhyme is usually executed on the wedding day. The bride is generally to wear one of each. Something old signifies the bride's past, preferably from the family, something new gives way to a fresh beginning, something borrowed an item loaned from someone already happily married with hopes that their joy will somehow rub off on the new couple. Something blue speaks to the color which means fidelity and love.
The groom avoiding seeing the bride before the ceremony 
This tradition stems from arranged marriages. They believed that if the couple saw each other before the ceremony, they will not want to go through with the wedding. Today, the tradition continues with the groom being kept out of the loop when it comes to knowing what the bride will look like on her big day or actually seeing her in her wedding dress before she walks down the aisle. It is argued that bad luck will haunt the marriage if this happens. Yaadi Culture, Fimi Styleja
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The temperature has risen significantly, the rains are few and far in between, the air is quite still and humid; summer is upon us. For college graduate, this is a season of those of us who have been unfortunate enough trepidation, uncertainty, excitement and to have fully ‘adulted’, there are additional misgiving all bundled in one. It can seem like indictors to judge this. Co-workers seem to a huge mountain barren of chances and care less about their work output as they count prospects for the future or it can seem like a down the days to vacation; parents are leveled paradise, ripe with opportunities. It is anxiously trying to figure out what to do with always dependent on the individual’s their off-springs for this period; while others ability to assess and decide on the prospects are busy attending numerous graduations and that each endeavour holds and the feasibility award ceremonies (evidenced by the copious of pursuit or abandon as a result. amount of Facebook photo uploads & posts) and don’t forget school transfers and making preparations for ‘September mawning’.
The
reality is that summer is
a
period
that
represents both the end
of the old as well as the beginning of the new; a new chapter, a new journey. Of course this depends heavily on which angle of the spectrum one is viewing, as well as, the personal outlook of the individual. For the
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CONT’D
As
such, it is always
where olds are ended and new is started.
imperative for in-
This is by no means limited to the par-
dividuals to main-
ticular time of the year, but more so the
tain an open mind
season of change within oneself.
and a clear vision as it relates to actualities of
Life is a process; it is ever evolving and
life. Despite the seemingly conflicting nature
requires
of life, and the fact that it sometimes toss over-
evaluation. Be always mindful that
whelming occurrences all at once; it is always
failure to cast out the old will prevent
important to assess every step before deciding
there being space to accommodate the
on the next. Life is short and fleeting, hopes
new. Make each season matter and
and dreams are just that. It requires concerted
embrace the changes that life has to offer.
effort, dedication and strategizing to translate
That is, after all, the only contestant of
to a plan and then, onwards into
life.
action. It
careful
monitoring
and
becomes necessary sometimes to create a summer period within one’s life where olds are
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“Thank God it is now summer and school is finally finished!” I recently heard a child say. This statement, I am sure, is echoed by many students in the past and will in the future. This is the time of year when children have lots of time
Psalm 78:4 Psalms 119:11 2 Timothy 2:15
on their hands and parents go bananas just to find meaningful and fun activities to keep them pre-occupied. The ever so regular ‘are we there yet’ or ‘I’m bored’ statements haunts parents their children to engage in this summer a; daily during this long break from school. With Vacation Bible School, affectionately called the advent of the internet coupled with a myriad VBS. VBS began in New York, U.S.A. durof smart phones and technologically driven ing the 1890s as a way to keep children off devices, outdoor activities seem to be not so the streets. It was expanded largely by the enticing to the modern child. Some parents may effort of Robert G. Boville who started a not seem to be phased by this, as with the VBS National Committee in 1907. VBS increasing violence in society, especially against quickly became a worldwide missionary tool children, they would rather their child stay used by many churches to bring children to indoors, than risk losing them in entirely. It has Christ. Indeed, Matthew 28:19 NKJV been largely accepted that children who engaged commissions us to “Go therefore and make in outdoor and social activities are healthier disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in both in mind and body; becoming positively the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. contributing adults to society. There is an activity that all parents should allow Yaadi Culture, Fimi Styleja
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VBS
is usually one standards and ethical principles that will teach to two weeks of them spiritual acceptance and foster a more bible
based grounded experience as well as lead them to
teachings in a creatively fun way, which Christ.
It taps into the child’s creative side,
keeps children actively engaged and allowing them to explore talents they never interested. Some of the activities are role thought they had while learning important life lesplaying, arts and crafts, bible lessons, sons. In this day and age where what is good and games and music. It was and still is an what is bad is seen as relative, it is great to know outreach program, to not just the kids of that there are still persons blazing the trail to the church, but also for kids who would not ensure that the lessons Christ taught, while on usually attend church. I am sure many earth, remains paramount to living a full and Jamaican adults can testify to their meaningful life. So this summer, I implore you to experience at VBS as a child and how it the find the nearest VBS, which is usually at your has influenced their lives through the local church, and allow your children to attend. It years. It surely has and continues to impact is one of the best things you can do for your child mine. I use to look forward to the arts and as we should tell “the generation to come the crafts simply because whatever I was able praises of the Lord. And his strength and his to make I got to take home along with the wonderful works that He has done� Psalm 78:4 remaining art materials. How can I forget NKJV. Do have a blessed summer. the snacks which were a treat to look forward to? VBS is always a good option for your children. It will open their minds to moral
Yaadi Culture, Fimi Styleja
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Name: Guava Binomial (scientific name): Psidium guajava
Guava
Countries of Origin: Mexico, Central America, and northern South America Distribution: North America, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, India, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Kenya are some of the regions and countries in which guava can be found growing International Culinary Uses:
Entire fruit is edible and may be eaten when green or ripe.
Juice is used in beverages of all sorts
In punches and sauces of all sorts
Edible dried fruits also used for baking and other dishes
Seasoned with salt and pepper, cayenne powder and eaten as a treat
Fragrances used candles and cosmetic products
Food flavours and Guava seed oil
Guava stick used for meat smoking in Hawaii and barbeque in the United States
Cuba and Mexico use the leaves in barbeque
Notable Characteristics:
Guava seed oil rich in Linoleic acid which is essential in one’s diet for skin and hair health.
Holds ~9% sugar
Rich in dietary fibre and vitamin C
Low in sodium
The seeds in the central pulp vary in size and hardness based on the species
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The summer is back! And what a summer it is idea. The skeptic may argue that in this heating up to be. Flowers are in full bloom, all modern world where climate change caused fruits are ripe, cool breeze chasing the rain primarily by pollution, the ever increasing away, the days are longer and the night skies crime rates and man’s insatiable greed does are so clear you just want to reach out and not and will not allow such an environment touch it. Yup! This is the time of the year when as a so called endless summer. vacation shouts your name in the most melodic Yes, a place with such splendor exists. tunes and the beach constantly sends you Christ’s second coming will herald the new invitations with no guest limitations. A time beginning the earth is so desperately in need when school is out, all studies are over and of. The Bible outlines this endless summer so work still a nagging load. Swimwear takes its clearly and concisely in the book of place at the top drawer or always on the bed Revelation at chapter 21:23-25. Again, the ready and waiting, drinks always ice cold, skeptic few may question how can any man friends are never too far and outdoor fires made statements, written so long ago, be becomes a weekly affair. Hmmm, yes! These statements of fact? They think that there is no are a few things that summer evokes.
real prophecy. Though a logical reasoning,
Though summertime can be all these things one has to only look at the prophecies of the and much more, Did you ever stop to consider bible and examine them to determine whether what it would be like to have a permanent this book can be relied upon as well as summer? Yes, all year round. Where the breeze manifestations in one’s own life. For these is so cool air conditioners become redundant, purposes, only one example will be cited and fruits so fresh and sweet your taste buds directions to some others provided. That palance like carnival zombies. No work, no example is one of the famous places o form of misery just fellowship and happiness, f antiquity – Tyre. wouldn’t that be wonderful? I am sold on that
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Two and half centuries later, Alexander the
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Great marched swiftly to attack new Tyre in 332 For two thousand years, Tyre
grew in
B.C. which was built on an island. The city he
importance until she was mistress of the sea
came to take had a mile of water running
while Babylon was of the land. She was the
separating him and it. He speedily took the
most renowned & important commercial centre
walls, towers, timbers, ruined houses and pal-
of the world. All persons of statue and precious
aces of ancient Tyre, and with them built a solid
items visited Tyre; the beautiful, the rich, the
causeway to the island city. So great was
learned, the precious stones of Aram, the spited
demand for material that the very dust was
horses of Armenia, the beautiful ivories of
scraped from the site and laid in the sea1. To this
Damascus, the fine linen of Egypt, the flocks of
present day Tyre is still laid in ruins and is now
Arabia, the perfumes of Sheba, the slaves of
only a place where fishermen stop to spread
Javan. In short, at that time, Tyre was the New
their nets for drying.
York of Asia.
Tyre has remained in utter ruins as proof to
Ships from large and small nations anchored in
skeptics that bible prophecies are real and adds
her harbors and their passengers bartered in her
greatly to the factuality of the bible. Hence, we
streets. While Tyre was in the height of her
can safely say if the bible points to us having a
glory and power, along came Ezekiel, who
new earth. An earth where there is no need for
prophesied in about 590 B.C. that ‘they shall
the moon nor the sun for God’s glory will
destroy the walls of Tyrus and break down her
illuminate everywhere, believe it? An endless
towers: I will scrape her dust from her, and
summer friends! To think all one must do is
make her like the top of a rock. It shall be a
adhere to Christ’s.
place for spreading of nets in the midst of the
Finally, when you sip on your pina coladas and
sea: for I have spoken it saith the Lord
daiquiris this summer, splash in the pool or dip
God…..thou shalt be built no more…’ Ezekiel
in the sea, jerk some chicken or make a burger,
26: 4-14. This came to light sooner than they
remember the summer to come and work to get
thought as soon after Nebuchadnezzar besieged
there for the alternative is nothing less than
Tyre and after thirteen years, he destroyed it.
eternal misery.
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“It’s been now a year and five months and I’m in a committed relationship with that handsome man! And I’m in my happiest I've been in a long, long time.” Tina Knowles, on overcoming divorce and moving on.
the little time it takes. A summer fling is
Experiencing any form of loss has its effects
experiences before heading back to the real
based on the personality of the individual and
world. We take vacations and we meet people
the attachment or relationship that person had
we won’t or don’t plan on seeing again after our
with whatever or whomever has been lost. A
two weeks of fun and adventure and a bit too
breakup, whether married or not is just as
much sun or nightlife. And theoretically that is
traumatizing, causing heartache and stress for
the advice I am giving, have a summer fling but
many individuals. Some have had the need to
not a promiscuous escapade, just an escape to
take time from their usual lives for an
trying new things and even being someone else
extended period, such as a vacation while
for a short minute.
usually the method used to find some new
others just had a good cry, a weekend of binging and were as good as new by Monday.
Firstly mull over things a little.
The truth is just as the fact with this one, we
In order to come to grips with reality we must
all take loss differently. Sometimes however,
first accept what is. So whether it was your
we may need a bit of a booster in moving on.
decision or that of the other party, it is high time
N
ow some may get the wrong gist based on the title of this read, but beg that you all
one sits and have a good introspection, reminisce, maybe cry and then tell yourself out loud, there is no undoing what has been done.
continue as it may be worth 36
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This is like spring cleaning your emotions; you dig up the good and the bad, and decide in the moment how to dispose of them. It is good to note that it is generally a normal human
The active phase comes next.
reaction to keep some things, but for the most
This is when you do whatever is necessary to
part we all need to let it go. Something
survive the intangible pain that seems to be
noteworthy is that some folks will take a
piercing you all over. It may be getting rid of
longer time than others to finally get it over
all the mementos of the relationship now
with.
recently past or hanging out with friends or “Loin des yeux, loin du coeur”
French idiom for “out of sight, out of mind”, and sometimes this is the best strategy. Stay away from the temptations and the reminders of how good you were together. Keeping your distance is the best advice if you want to heal and move on. It isn’t a time for the blame game, neither self or otherwise, it is just time to let it all go. A person who was bad in your relationship together may be good with
expressing your feelings through writing or even taking on a physical activity such as hiking or going to the gym. It may also mean putting things into place to deter you from reverting to what may just be by now a bad habit and not necessarily a relationship. This is inclusive of deleting photos and maybe even blocking a particular person from all your social media and any other form of memory triggers from your now new life.
someone else. It may have just been a case of compatibility or clash of personalities, so when it is over accept it and stay away. This is where the cleansing should really be effective, not passing this stage is detrimental. 37
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This is when the fun and the fling will come. Wine and dine yourself. Dress well and don’t consider anything that is good, too good for you. Enjoy the down time with fun and laughter. Get out, stay in, either way, whatever the tempo of the fun, ensure it’s clean and makes you happy. The method is in finding joy in other areas of your life, staying active and letting go of the negative which over time poisons not only the mind but the body also. Pamper yourself; you may need it more than you think.
vulnerable you may be and how fresh your wounds are, so even if not physical these tender and sensitive areas should be tended to with care. Be open and honest first with yourself and then with the people in your life, especially the one you are currently dating and those you call confidants. It may take a few months or even longer, but in time things will get better. A breakup is punishment enough; you
When that new relationship comes along
T
whatever we do. Always be mindful of how
he operative mode should be moderately.
We
have
the
tendency to get excited either
need not punish yourself through it.
“When we are in love, we are convinced nobody else will do. But as time goes, others do, and often do, much much better.” ― Coco J. Ginger
positively or negatively which
then affects the speed at which we take things and how much head versus heart we place into 38
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Consumer Rights & Responsibilities RESPONSIBILITIES
RIGHTS The Right to Safety and protection from
The Responsibility to be aware of the
hazardous goods or services.
quality and safety of goods and services
The
Right
to
be
Informed
and
before purchasing.
protected against fraudulent, deceitful or
The Responsibility to gather all the
misleading information and to have access to
information and facts available about a
accurate information and facts needed to make
product or service as well as to keep abreast of
informed choices and decisions.
changes and innovations in the marketplace.
The Right to Choose and have access to
The Responsibility to Think
a variety of products and services at fair and
Independently and make choices about well
competitive prices.
considered needs and wants.
The Right to be Heard and to express and
The Responsibility to Speak Out, to
represent consumer interests in the making of
inform manufacturers and governments of
economic and political decisions.
needs and wants.
The Right to Redress and to be compensated
The Responsibility to Complain and
for
inform business and other consumers of dis-
misrepresentation,
shoddy goods
or
unsatisfactory services.
satisfaction with a product or service in a fair
The Right to Consumer Education and to
and honest manner.
become a skilled and informed consumer
The Responsibility to be an Ethical
capable of functioning effectively in the
Consumer and to be fair by not engaging in
marketplace.
dishonest practices which cost all
The Right to a Healthy Environment that
consumers money.
will enhance the quality of life and provide
The Responsibility to Respect the
protection from environmental problems for
Environment and avoid waste, littering and
present and future generations.
contribution to pollution. 44
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As an adult in Jamaica, summer has taken on a whole new expectation. Since a child, I was taught that in order for one to develop, one must first acknowledge one’s mistakes and then one must learn from them. Unfortunately, the Jamaican Government continues to do the same thing year after year and expecting a different outcome. Let me put it into perspective for you
I all.
mourn
absence
of
the the
water and then, like
moths to a flame, when the liquid gold trickles from the heavens we surge into water parks, rivers and beaches as though it is the last time
was born and, for the most part, raised in the rural part of the country and we are not as
privileged as most as it
relates to getting the precious
commodity on a regular basis; water. For most persons originally from the rural areas, water shortage is something that we have experienced on numerous occasions. To rectify this, our parents always kept drums, barrels, buckets and even bottles filled with water for various purposes during this “off” period; these were normally stored in the kitchen and bathroom. Since I was a child, for the most part, there has been
Yearly
we
constant water shortage and lock-offs
island wide during the summer period; June – August. It can be said that this can be attributed to the limited rainfall and the drought Jamaica normally experience during this time of the year.
we will ever see it. Now my problem stems from the fact that for years successive government have proposed alternative solutions to alleviate this plight that the Jamaican people face. Last year, the honorable minister outlined that this will never happen again as we are exploring alternative wells and water catchment areas. To date, one year later, we have not seen those words turn to actions and by extension; those promises are still simply just promises to a naïve population. We are currently still experiencing water shortage and constant “lock-offs” without an alternative solution nor are we getting a constant supply provided through trucking, thought this quite expensive. 47
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This brings one to ponder; did you not anticipate
Well, again I ask, how long will we sit and take
this catastrophe? What happened to the alterna-
these empty promises that politicians run on
tive water supply promised since the “devil was
from election to election? It is time we start
a boi�? As citizens, how long will we continue
holding people accountable. It is high time those
to let this happen? Then, of course, the reality is
presently in power, start to perform better or
never as good as the promise: whether it's rain,
GET OUT so that we can have better
lack of water for household and personal use,
representation.
rain, or rain, the Jamaican government never
that will create policies that will help with the
quite delivers as we thought they might, when
further development of the Jamaican citizenry.
we were young, naive, and optimistic. No doubt
Until then summers will remain, for me, a hot,
this struggle will be long and tiresome one.
tormented waterless period.
We need good representatives
Shorter showers, limited water for cooking, washing dishes and clothes and the list continues.
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