Happy New Year!

Today the year 2005 comes to an end and as the sun sets we will be preparing to usher in the New Year, with all its hopes and challenges.

I've written my resolutions and I really intend to keep them this year as I need an overhaul both physically and mentally. I want 2006 to be different.

From past experience keeping resolutions can be hard but I need to keep in the forefront of my mind that achievement comes only from sacrifice. So 2006 is the no bull shit year. The year will be dedicated to developing self discipline. The year in which I do the things that I need to do whether I want to do them or not.

Here is my list:

Lose weight - 155 lbs would be excellent. In 2005 I reached an unbelievable 172 pounds... gained from being away from home and not going to the gym.

Get back to my books - started a training program and have only done one Test. Get the dalm thing completed by June 2006.

Update my computer skills - Read my Windows XP in its entirety... remember how I read MS Front Page from cover to cover about five years ago? Get to the dentist - have not been for almost two years and that is totally unacceptable.

Go back to Toastmasters Club - still hate speaking public speaking and that has got to be fixed. I know there is a lot more I want to achieve in the New Year but with health and strength I am going to go out there and kick some butt!

Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve eve

It's the day before Christmas eve and I am as excited as a child.

I had promised myself way back in November that my shopping would have been completed by now but what a laugh. Bought my last gift this morning then got myself the biggest, badest chocolate cake I've ever tasted now I am sure to enter the New Year 5 pounds heavier.

Had hope to bake the Christmas cake tonight but the carpenter is in the kitchen fixing the hinges on some cupboards so that would have to be done tomorrow.

I am dead tired now so I am off... see you tomorrow.

Sharpening My Saw

I have been working like a dog so I've decided to take today off. I wonder how I ever got caught working seven days a week - but I am not doing it anymore.

Like Stephen said in his book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" one needs time to 'Sharpen the Saw' and I swear my saw is dull.

Yesterday morning it hit me like a big rock - that I maybe losing my efficiency because I try to single-handedly do too many things for an organisation that does not give a shit about how things get done... anyway there is only one person to blame, and that's me.

So I am turning a new page and doing things differently.

Flight Plan - Saturday October 29

I went to see Flight Plan last night. Normally, I would go to a movie and before I finish the popcorn, or half way into the film I am asleep.

But not last night, oh no...I don't know of anyone who could sleep through that movie.

It's a story of a woman (Jodie Foster from Silence of the Lambs) and her daughter flying home from Berlin to America. While they are airborne the child disappears and nobody admits she was ever on the plane. Is the mother a mental case? or is something sinister going on? The movie was suspense from the beginning to the end - and the end was a bomb. Is was like an Alfred Hitchcock thriller...I gave it all the stars - go and see it.

Wilma turns deadly - October 19

I can't help but say how lucky we Bajans are.

That hurricane - now called Wilma - passed us as just another weather system and has now turned into a major Category 5 monster. Reports are saying it is the most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, with meteorologists warning that it could maintain devastating power as it crosses Florida from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic.

Can someone please say what has suddenly gone wrong with our weather?

Now it's Wilma

Tropical storm Wilma has been drenching Jamaica yesterday and forced more than 100 people into shelters in the parishes of Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine as heavy rain soaked most parishes.

A flooded village in the vicinity of the Spanish Town/Linstead bypass.

The Met office said the storm was expected to dump more rain on the island today and tomorrow, with the possibility of further flooding.

Last night Wilma was drifting slowly to the south at a mere four kilometres per hour on a path that would take it near the Cayman Islands. Forecasters projected that the storm could further develop into a powerful hurricane, heading either to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula or the Gulf of Mexico.

My sister's birthday

Today is my sister's birthday.

More terror in Trinidad

As expected another bomb went off in Trinidad on Friday night just outside Smokey and Bunty in St James which left ten people injured.

Now this is the fourth time in four months that that has happened...July 11 on Frederick Street, August 10 on George Street, September 10 at KFC Independence Square and now St. James.

The island's crime rate seems to be growing and growing - kidnapping, robbery, assault and murder...what is the authorities doing to stop this? When people stop visiting because they are too scared?

At right: The area where the explosion took place on Friday night at Western Main Road, St James, Trinidad.

The Barbados Jazz Festival

Well it's that time of the year again. The itinerary for the 2006 Barbados Jazz Festival has been announced. The headliners for the event are Lionel Richie and Jill Scott and the ticket prices have soared - US$100 to see Lionel Richie and US$75 for Jill Scott.

I was thinking that I don't want to pay that sum to see Lionel Richie sing old songs but when I remember his hits like "Truly", "Hello" and "All Night Long" ... well maybe. He last performed in Barbados in 1978 with the Commodores and his show was a sell-out.

Jill Scott - she's my girl - with that smile, that so cuddly voice, my type of moves... and words... reminds me to live my life like it's golden.

Jill's got a lovely website check out http://www.jillscott.com/

Above is Jill Scott with her first Grammy. Below is the itinerary for the festival.

I'm back

Well I haven't had time to post since September 22. I wasn't ill or anything just simply too busy.

September 22

Today is my brother's birthday and also the 50th anniversary of Hurricane Janet - the most devastating hurricane to hit Barbados in the 20th century. Thirty-five people died, 20,000 were homeless and 8,100 homes were destroyed.

In North America today folks are awaiting the passage of Hurricane Rita - a category 5 storm.

CNN announced today that you can follow the storm live by visiting hurricanelivenet.com.

Above: A building in Galveston, Texas, is readied for the approach of Hurricane Rita. Rita, one of the deadliest storms ever recorded, sent millions fleeing, threatened vital oil production and cast fear far and wide as it ripped across the Gulf of Mexico, whipping up winds of 170 miles an hour (275 kilometres).(AFP/James Nielsen) .

Here comes Hurricane Rita - Wednesday Sept 21

As if it isn't enough another major hurricane is making its way to southeast Texas and coastal Louisiana. It is expected to hit the Lone Star State this weekend.

Again folks are being asked to evacuate, but I guess they will this time after seeing the fury of Katrina.

To think that Texas had just welcomed thousands of evacuees after Hurricane Katrina hit, and many are now having to flee again. What a pity.

Above right: Long lines of cars are heading out of coastal Texan towns as Hurricane Rita gains strength to become a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (267 km/h). September 21, 2005. (Reuters Photo).

Tuesday - Only five days left

Spent some time reading this evening but took a break to watch Oprah. She interviewed the famous Lance Armstrong, Sir Anthony Hopkins (from Silence of the Lambs - I just love him), and the man who will always hold a special place in my heart -Luther Vandross.

Usher and Patti LaBelle performed two tracks from the upcoming album "So Amazing: An All-Star Tribute to Luther Vandross". You know I've got to get that.

Oprah also paid special tribute to John H. Johnson of the Ebony/Jet fame.

Then I switched to UPN to watch the new Tyra Banks show. It was all about breast - Victoria Secrets and all. I had to switch the television off though after listening to two minutes of Anna Nicole Smith. Can someone tell me what's the dumb blond's claim to fame?

How time flies

Well I'm exactly one week into my vacation and to date nothing really exciting has happened. Can someone tell me why I opted for such a short holiday?

Now there is a tropical depression on our doorsteps - anyway we could do with some rain... not the torrential stuff, but enough to keep the place cool and green.

Hey, watched a movie called "After the sunset" tonight.

It's about a master thief who retires with his girlfriend to an island in the Caribbean. The thief's nemesis, a crafty FBI agent, appears on the island and a game of cat-and-mouse ensues. Check it out. What I liked about it most is that it has real Caribbean music - including Kevin Little (of St. Vincent & the Grenadines) hit "Turn Me On"... and you know I love that song.

Tropical Depression No. 17

Just checked the weather and it seems like Tropical Depression No. 17 is set to become a tropical storm later tonight.

At 5 p.m. EDT the centre of the depression was located near 13.8 north, longitude 55.2 west or about 290 miles east of Barbados. The depression is moving towards the northwest near 9 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 ours.

The weather people are saying that maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later tonight. Its name will be Phillipe.

Let's hope Phillipe keeps out of our face and not add any more trauma to the Caribbean or the southern part of North America - they can't handle any more.

The beautiful beach at Brandons was picture perfect today.

Lovely site

I was looking for some information this evening and went to Oprah's website, and to my amazement it's has been transformed... wow, it's really very nice. Take a look http://www.oprah.com/index.jhtml

Check out the Barbados Hilton

If any of you who read my blog is thinking of coming to Barbados then I suggest you stay at the Barbados Hilton.

The hotel is simply one of the most beautiful in the Eastern Caribbean. I have stayed at a number of five-star hotels in the region but the new Hilton is now definitely one of my favourites.

Click here to visit the Hilton's website.

Reopened in May this year, it is set on a beautiful peninsula at Needham's Point, and is close to numerous south coast restaurants and also the shopping areas in Bridgetown.

The premises are outstanding and most of all the staff is extremely friendly and helpful.

I wanted to spend this weekend there but it was fully booked.

The prices are not in the Sandy Lane visit Sandy Lane range (a hotel on the west coast to die for) - but it's worth whatever is charged.

If you are planning a vacation then make it a point to visit our island paradise... you may run into Tiger Woods at the Royal Westmoreland golf course, or the prime minister of England - who is a regular visitor to Barbados' shores.

Two weeks after Katrina

It's exactly two weeks and one day since Katrina struck and the stories are still grim.

Reuters reported today that more than 40 mostly elderly patients were found in a flooded-out hospital in the biggest known cluster of corpses to be discovered so far in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.

What a real pity.

At top right: Neighborhoods are flooded with oil and water two weeks after Hurricane Katrina went though New Orleans, September 12, 2005. U.S. President George W. Bush, on a tour of devastated New Orleans on Monday, rejected charges the government was slow to respond to Hurricane Katrina because most of the victims were black or because the nation's military was over-extended in Iraq. Hurricane Katrina hit the region on August 29 causing numerous deaths and severe property damage in Louisiana and Mississippi. (Carlos Barria/Reuters)

Monday - 1st Day of My Vacation

Went down to the Mall at Holetown today with my other half, who had a business appointment. It was a really relaxing feeling to know that I did not have to rush to get back to work today.

At left is a restaurant at Holetown called Ragamuffin's - cute isn't it.

I saw the most beautiful shoes at the store next to Cave Shephard and I resisted the urge to try on any of them.

Then there was Ela boutique - fantastic works of art for clothing. Anyway only bought a Spanish kit. It contained 2 CDs and looked like it would be fun... learning from the kit I mean.

Thank God It's Friday

Well it's Friday and in a few hours I will officially be on a two week vacation and the Lord knows I really need it. Wish I could have taken four weeks though as then I would have been able to visit Lanzarote in the Canary Islands. Anyway, that's another two weeks saved for the trip.

I have achieved the goal I set for myself at the beginning of August and that was to shed 7 pounds. I don't believe I really did it and it didnot take any real effort. I just cut back on the sugary stuff - no sodas, no fruit juices, no chocolates, no icecream and filled up with lots of chicken and salads, water and my favourite fruit.

In the next two weeks I hope to take some time off to visit Barbados' newest tourist attractions like the Bird Sanctuary, and the Marine Park as I have been working almost seven-days-per week from January. When I return to work I hope I can get into the FIVE DAYS only mode.

Wednesday - Katrina

It's now one week and two days since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf states and although I do not live in the USA it has had a tremendous impact on me. I guess it's because the Big Easy was a place we were thinking about visiting some time soon.

I watch/read the reports on a daily basis and think about how one's whole life can be changed just like that.

Just two weeks ago life there was normal - then came Katrina, the flooding and now talk of bacterial infections lurking in flood waters...

In Barbados things are so peaceful and quiet - one of our 'big' news stories last night was that chicken is scarce, yet the report continued that the birds are to be back on the supermarket shelves by the end of the week. Can you imagine...

Wednesday - My Pledge

Being my best in service to others. My character is forged by my choices. You will see it in my manner and my confident optimism. It is how I stand and talk, laugh and listen. Use my honor and integrity as the example. Give me work to do; point me to my neighbor in need. Choose me to go first or last. Let me challenge myself to do more. I know what is right. I pledge to improve myself and help others. I am an Action Principles Champion®.

Tuesday - What would you do?

Cuban President Fidel Castro has offered to send 1,500 doctors to the U.S. Gulf Coast to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. So far American officials have made no response to the offer. What would you do?
Tell Castro go to hell, accept the offer as these doctors have help the Asians during the tsunami, or galvanise 1,500 American doctors to assist.

Houses in New Orleans, Louisiana with water at the level of their eves have only roofs visiable one week after Hurricane Katrina went through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama September 5, 2005.

Monday - Why is the place so hot?!

There are supposed to be three tropical systems in our region - Hurricane Maria - who is moving in a north easterly direction and two other little guys, but the place is soooo hot. I could do with just a little rain and a soothing tropical breeze to ease the situation.

Well it's that same old story again this Monday with my weight... do I go crazy on weekends or something? I had no pone, no sweetbread, no icecream - just some good old Bajan rice and peas with chicken (am trying to keep away from too much sugar and the carbs)... and it's back. Think I need to go running on the beach.

Sunday... on a lighter note

Barbados-born, 17-year-old songstress Rihanna is the new rave in the USA with her chart topper "Pon De Replay".

Check her out on the Def Jam Recordings website.

Rihanna is a former student of the Combermere School.

Will post more news about our newest ambassador soon.

Sunday

At left: A dead body floats in front of a house on the east side of New Orleans, LA., in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005. Gov. Kathleen Blanco said Saturday that she expected the death toll to reach the thousands.

I never thought last Sunday morning as I was following the calls for evacuation by the authorities in Lousiana that today there would be thousands of people dead in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The Nation reported that nine Barbadians stranded in Biloxi, Mississippi, after Hurricane Katrina devastated that state, were rescued yesterday. You can follow the story here http://www.nationnews.com/story/297157953393103.php.

Today New Orleans is now gathering up and counting the dead. I've always wanted to travel to "The Sleeping Giant" to experience their unique culture and check out the jazz spots ... what a pity that they have had to suffer so.

El Grifo Wine Museum

Spoke with my 'Spanish' sister tonight and was giving her all the updates with all that's going on around here. Asked if she heard about the hurricane and she said yes - she has BBC, Fox, MSNCB - it's amazing how small the world has become.

She has asked me to check out El Grifo Wine museum at Lanzarote... and I sure did. That's where she's at now.

Now I am going to learn all about wine from her as I am sure she will become a wine connaisseur.

Hurricane Katrina

I have been following the dreaded Hurricane Katrina since Sunday morning and I was still shocked at the damage it did to New Orleans and surrounding areas in the USA.

You must read this report - Katrina Floods Gulf States, Killing 55.

However I always ask myself, when the hurricane season comes around, whether we are ever ready. Always remember stories of hurricane Janet of 1955. Bajans never heed warnings and I thank my Antiguan colleagues for their lessons in hurricane preparedness.

We had some rain on Friday and it's amazing how the place became flooded so quickly - and it wasn't because of a tropical depression or a storm either.

Vacation Time

Well I am finally sending in my application for vacation for this year.

Oh how I am looking forward to it although it will only be for two weeks this time.

I am going to use the time to really look after me and do all the things that have fell by the wayside because of work...

Woman to Woman Encouragement

Got the below from a girlfriend a couple weeks ago and only read it this morning.

Woman to Woman Encouragement
Someone will always be smarter. Their house will be bigger. They will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their partners will fix more things around the house. So let it go and love you and your circumstances. Think about it. The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart. And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children. The richest woman you know she's got the car, the house, the clothes - might be heartbreakingly lonely. So, love you. Love who you are right now. Tell yourself, "I am too blessed to be stressed."

Be blessed ladies and pass this on to encourage another woman. "To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world."

Send this to wonderful strongwomen you know. I did. Possibilities and miracles are one and the same.

Saturday

What will this day have in store for me?

Another Friday

Man it rained cats and dogs here from around midday and it was bumper to bumper traffic along the Bussa stretch of the ABC highway.

It could not believe the extent of the flooding along the road though... good thing it was not a storm. Think we have to get all the drains along the sides of the road cleared before a real weather system comes.


Look at this bus on Baxter's Road.

About Me

Five favourite movies

The Gladiator
Pretty Woman
Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Waiting to Exhale
The Shawshank Redemption


Five snacks I enjoy

Chefette fruit split (currently on my banned list)
Planters peanuts
White popcorn with a Coke
Grapes, grapes and more grapes
Haagen-dazs chocolate & dark chocolate bar (banned too)

Five bad habits I have

Procrastination
Prefering my own company (well except for fiance)
Not returning calls
Missing the gym
Unforgiving


Five biggest joys

Anything related to the internet
Watching tele/DVDs
Shopping in Miami (Aventura Mall is heavenly)
Waking up to the sound of the sea
Travelling

Favourite singers (at the moment)
Luther
Jill Scott
Tina Turner
R Kelly
Roberta Flack

Monday morning blues

I can't believe that in a couple of days I have put back on all the weight I had lost.

That's from all the 'sweet' drinks and pone and turnovers I had over the weekend. Started the morning with two strawberries, tea with no sugar and half of a turnover with nothing in or on it.

What would we do without electricity

The power company turned off the electricity yesterday for a few hours and the place felt so different. The house was extremely quiet and one could hear every car, lawnmover, dog and even the birds on the telephone and electric wires keeping their normal racket that is usually muffled by the indoor sounds.

Obviously, there was no internet - can you imagine? Liked the quiet though but had to switch on a transitor radio to eliminate the annoying hum of a neighbour's lawnmower.

Well it's a another beautiful morning in Barbados. The wind is blowing, the birds are singing, the sky is clear and the sea is a lovely blue.

Wow... This gave me licks to start.