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Happy New Year! I do hope that wherever you are around the world you had a good New Year's Eve and a good January 1st, 2013.

2012 was an unusual year for me, a very slow one that often gave me reason to believe that nothing would ever go in the direction of my dreams. Fortunately though 2012 saw the birth of my foundation for special needs students in Jamaica.....my proudest accomplishment to date!

For 2013, I've put together my goals and dreams, and decided that this year I'll be working on my professional self. Of course in the mix I'll put in some personal improvements, but overall, I'm going for the major dreams I've got....and that's my dream job (or dream jobs rather).

Even if it means that at the end of the year I'm half way around the world, as long as I'm 100% happy with my improvements I'm game.

Hope 2013 gives you the best and helps you be the best you!

help my charity this Christmas

One of the members of my charity entered the Foundation into a competition where we can receive a J$100,000 grant from a local company - Sagicor Life Jamaica.

You can read the submission below (or click here for a clearer image) and then vote for us by liking the photo on Facebook. After you've liked it, feel free to share it with your friends so we can get as many likes by December 19th when voting closes.

This is quite an opportunity for us, and with all the plans that the team and I have for 2013, the grant would definitely help us fund some of our projects with the Danny Williams Primary School for the Deaf and the Lister Mair Gilby High School for the Deaf.

So #GetInvolved and help us make a difference this Christmas. Let's get those likes up to at least 120 by December 19th!

P: party party party

AlphabetChallenge

This past Sunday (April 15th) was my birthday *cue excitement and all that jazz* and although most years my birthday is all sad and blah for me, this one was great!

There was no amazing eye-catching birthday cake, nor was there a specially invited list of guests....instead my amazing team of birthday revelers - my sisters, 3 friends and my hunni; took to the streets with the Bacchanal Jamaica 2012 crew for Road March.


I'll admit that with so much stuff on my mind, I was worried about how much fun I would actually have. Though there were some hiccups with the moments of grumpy little me; the road march rain, the soca music and the hint of rum had me thoroughly enjoying the time with my team who ensured that there was never a dull moment from start to finish.

On Monday, the remains of my great day included leg pains, sunburn, a raspy voice and fatigue....all of which will be 'cured' hopefully by the end of the week. Sadly I haven't gotten all the lovely photos from the day that I wanted to post, but when I do I will post them so you all can see how I thoroughly enjoyed the start of my 22nd year!

welcome lent 2012

It's Ash Wednesday which means that the lenten season for 2012 starts today.

By now (like others) I have a plan as to what I'll be giving up or what I'll be working on for the season. Most people give up random things for lent, but instead of really giving something up, I try to reduce one thing or improve another. I try not to see the season as a 'short period to do things right' but more of a 'second new year' giving me the chance to redirect or improve specific areas of my life.

I think my best 'redirection' was about 5 years ago when I was in 12th grade. At that time I had started to take my health a lot more seriously, because I was seeing how bad habits were affecting my grandparents and their health.

Generally I was very active, but in the latter years of high school my knee injury and hectic workload somewhat toned down my physical abilities a bit. As a result, I got lazy and started eating badly and by the time lent came around, I decided that I would make an effort to eat better and take better care of myself.

Since then I rarely drink juice and soda, I read labels more than before and I avoid food that's too processed. Now don't get me wrong....I still do indulge in those things I really don't need in my diet (because they taste so good) but I try to enjoy it all in moderation. I also got more interested in working out, even just for my cardio....although recently I seem to have lost interest....but I'll be back on my workout trend by next week. (I hope)

You're probably thinking now what the connection is between my healthy decision and religion...

To me it is one of the many ways that you can look at yourself as a vessel. Logically you wouldn't put a damaged or unfit vessel to carry cargo....you wouldn't give a weak horse a heavy load. It really is just the physical aspect of 'a healthy and holistic life' and I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

Look at it this way...the stronger and more fit you are is the more able you will be to carry the loads of life. God won't give you more than you can bear, but I think the stronger you are in both body and spirit is the easier the load will be to carry.

So yay for my healthy decisions!

But this year....I think I'll be taking on something a bit more.

I'm hoping to get to a point where I'm more confident in myself and I procrastinate less. I'm generally an organised person, but I've noticed that now that I'm out of school (and don't really have deadlines for assignments) procrastination has taken over.

What used to get done in a week, now takes me two or three weeks....and this doesn't work well when you hope to have a project all set for launch by a certain date.

To some extent I wonder if my procrastination is a matter of me questioning my abilities...or questioning whether or not I'll get the response I want to hear when the proposal I send out. lol

I sometimes just have horrible writer's block that totally demotivates me....but I'm on a mission now to find a way to curb it! The aim is to be more confident and have more faith in the proposals and grant applications I complete. I think too I'm trying to have more faith in the general population that they'll be more open to lending a hand to those in need.....let's see how that one works out.

The religious connection to this decision is really based on the saying - THE DEVIL FINDS WORK FOR IDLE HANDS.

The more I procrastinate is the more idle time I have. By eliminating some of that idle time, there shouldn't be any opportunity for the devil to give me any work....which is never a bad thing.

So, with that said I'll be restarting my things to do list today and trying to prioritise and stick to it. Look out for a post about curbing writer's block....as soon as I find a remedy I'll fill you in!

charity BBQ this Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is this week and I know most persons have absolutely nothing planned (except for probably church in the morning or something).

I'm inviting all folks in Jamaica to come out and start the lenten period with a charity barbeque. The event is being held by Syndicate Events - known for Absinthe and Igloo; and is in aid of the Jamaica Association for the Deaf.

If you want to see the even on Facebook, click here.....otherwise, here's all the details!

Syndicate Events Charity BBQ!

Date: Wednesday February 22, 2012 (yes I know the flyer says 2011...oops)

Time: 2pm to 10pm

Location: House of Kumasi (170 Cyprus Drive Belvedere, Red Hills)

Cost: $1000 and you can get chicken, pork or fish (refreshments on sale)

Music by: Kingston All Stars and guest DJ's

As you should know by now this charity is close to my heart so I'm super happy that they will be helping them out....and you can help out too.

Special thanks to all the corporate partners helping to make the event possible (Red Stripe, CB Chicken, Bad Dawg Sausages, Tru Juice - Official Juice Mixer, Worthy Gold Premium Jamaica Rum, Bullet Energy Drink, Jamaica Co-Operative Credit Union League, Bar On Wheels, FAME 95 FM, ZIP 103 FM, Main Event, Elite Catering and Carimed)

If you're in Jamaica link me for tickets...and if you're overseas I can let you know how you can help.

my Christmas wish to you

It's coming down to the last few hours before Christmas and many persons are buzzing about trying to get the final touches on their decorating, organizing all the plans for Christmas dinner tomorrow and of course doing all the last minute shopping.

I hope that regardless of all the excitement, persons still remember the reason for the season and take some time out to give thanks for the year that has passed and the year of many opportunities ahead.

I know some persons may not be home for the holidays for various reasons, and there are those who are having a blue Christmas because of the challenging year that passed or past experiences. I specially send you my holiday wishes of joy and hope, praying that in time things get better.

All in all, Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah/Happy Kwanzaa/Happy Holidays to all my readers who are celebrating the season. I hope that the love of family and friends surrounds you giving you a lovely end to 2011.

shopping tips

photo credits: www.redzedcookies.com.au

Ok so in my last post I gave you some gift ideas for your last minute shopping. Now I've got some shopping tips to help make your actual shopping trip less hectic and frustrating.

The most important thing to think about when going shopping is how you'll be paying for it all! Organise your finances and decide how much you will be spending on the overall trip and if possible, on each item. Also make note of whether you'll be using cash or card, and be sure to have things organised so money can be kept safe and away from the unwanted muggers.

Another important factor is what you're buying because that will help determine where you're going. You'll need to organise your shopping list and think about the stores you could stop at to get those items. Since you'll have to pay for the transportation to and from the stores (whether it be gas for your personal vehicle or public transportation) it's a good idea to find stores close to each other. Also consider that you'll have to walk from one store to the other with everything you purchase, so for the sake of your back and feet, try to limit the number of stores you have to stop at.

Taking into consideration transportation, you may want to think about how you'll be getting to and from your shopping trip. Remember that you may be starting off with nothing in hand, but by the end of the night you'll have bags lugging around with and depending on the types of gifts purchased it may be a whole lot for you to manage on your own. See if you can carpool with friends or neighbours to reduce the issue of parking spots and of course giving you a safe way to get home with all your merchandise.

With a little organization shopping trips can be much easier. Don't forget to hit the road in comfortable shoes, your shopping list and a plan of action. Another thing you'll surely need to remember is how the gifts will be packaged. On your list keep in mind that you'll need wrapping paper, tape, gift bags, tissue paper, pretty bows and probably even some gift tags.

Hope this helps you get it all done!

all wrapped up: gift ideas

It's now Christmas Eve and I know that quite a number of persons haven't figured out what to buy as gifts for some of their loved ones. For many persons, buying Christmas gifts can be one of the most challenging tasks for the season...and when you really just don't know where to start or have limited funds, then it can be extremely frustrating.

photo credits: www.christmaswow.com

A few readers asked for my help in giving some gift ideas, so here goes. The first thing you need to consider is 'who am I buying this gift for and what kind of person is he/she?' As simple as it may seem, this is often overlooked and in my opinion that's the cause of half your problem. So I've put together some categories for you to think about, and in another post I'll give you some tips on having a successful shopping trip.



Clothing and accessories
I believe the first thing to consider when getting clothing/accessories for anyone is to find out what they already have and what they want/need. Being realistic, it's kinda pointless to buy someone something they already have, when you could have instead gotten something they actually want/need. Try getting them to compile a mini wish-list or do a little Facebook/closet stalking to somewhat see what their wardrobe already has. (lol yes that's a bit creepy....but I guarantee it works).

You also have the options of 'window shopping' with the person and then going back to purchase something they liked; or getting someone with similar taste to accompany you on your quest. With clothing, be sure to take into consideration sizes because it would definitely suck to get something you love but cant fit into it.

Tech savvy stuff

To be honest it usually is hard to buy tech gifts for someone who is totally into that kind of thing. Why? Because usually they already have all the cool gadgets they want...or the one they want is a pretty penny. Gift certificates are a good idea for the tech-lover so that he/she can pick the gadget they want from a store full of fancy gadgets.

Accessories, gift cards and special offers related to the gadget they love is also an option; especially if you go for something personalised. Like clothing, it's good to find out what gadgets the person already has (although you may not understand the specs at all) so you can have at least a place to start.

Sport-a-holic

Sport fanatics are usually very particular with the gifts they want (that's if it's sports related of course). They have a specific team, or star athlete that they believe is best and you can always play on that to get a gift.

A team jersey, sports book/dvd, or some other sports memorabilia is always an option....as long as you ensure that the item is in support of the persons team (would totally suck to get an amazing sport gift but the team/athlete is wrong). Another option is finding out if the person needs any specific sports gear. You could purchase the particular item and get it personalised or find one that has his/her initial on it.

Home and garden

Whether its something cute for inside or outside, a home and garden gift is great for persons who are passionate about gardening, cooking, decorating or home improvement. Personalised gifts and specially organized baskets are great for these persons because usually you need to really tap into their passion to make the gift perfect.

A cookbook with unique recipes, personalised utensils, a special plant or an unusual piece are nice gifts that you can usually find without much trouble. Once again, checking on what the person already has, and what he/she wants is very important in selecting an item.

Kiddies

Because I'm all for educating our youth, I believe that educational toys and books are the best gift options for children of all ages. While a cute outfit may be ok, I think it should be your last option. Usually now, wherever you can get children's toys, you can find a toy or book that is both fun and educational.

No matter the age or gender, there's something available for all kids. I strongly support gifts that help to develop a hobby, improve his/her level of academic performance, get kids active and of course the learning that's totally disguised as fun. If you're in Jamaica you could check out the Learning Zone where they have tonnes of fun educational games for as young as the little babies.

........and if all else fails............

Gift certificates and gift cards are always an option! Most stores offer them and it gives you a chance to contribute while allowing the individual to pick out exactly what they want.

photo credit: www.jdapos.com

There is always the option of getting a nice card and writing something nice and then dropping the money there instead. Special gift baskets are also nice, especially if you aren't quite sure what kind of gift the person would like. With a gift basket you can put a little of this and that, giving you a gift that is well rounded.

Taking the person shopping after Christmas is another option, but it takes away from the surprise of opening a gift on Christmas.

No matter the size of the gift, remember to make it into a special package. Be sure to check out my Christmas wish list! I hope this post lifts a bit of a burden from that shopping list.

DIY: sugar cookies

As with most families around the world, there are a number of Christmas traditions in my family, especially as it relates to food.

Usually the holiday isn't complete without baked ham, grilled salmon, Mommy's special macaroni and cheese, Grandma's potato casserole, family recipe sorrel and Christmas cake (both of which I don't like), red/white wine to go with it all, and of course sugar cookies!

Once upon a time I had my superb sugar cookie recipe that was altered to perfection...but then we moved, and when boxes got all mixed up my little recipe seems to have gotten tossed to some unknown location. (it surely sucks that I'm the most organized person in my house)

So, because of that....my tradition of baking sugar cookies continues with a different recipe almost every year (until I alter to my standard of perfection). Usually after the first batch though, the recipe is so 'not to Kim's perfect standard', that I just toss it out completely.

This year my neighbour and I happened to try the same new recipe from allrecipes.com (click here to check the recipe out) and it was nice and easy and the cookies came out pretty good. (of course she baked them first and after sampling her set I accepted that it's a good start).

my 2-inch square sugar cookies

For my cookies, the only thing I added to the recipe was candy sprinkles. Also, instead of rolling the dough into balls and placing them on the cookie sheet, I rolled the dough out to half inch thickness and cut out 2-inch squares. I think this would give me more than the 48 servings stated in the recipe; but since my family was eating the cookies as each tray came out, I'm not even sure how much was done in total!

On another note, besides the fact that it tastes good and was nice and easy, I got a good amount of cookies from the batter and was able to see the nutritional info per serving in the recipe! That my dear friends is just perfect for the folks who want to watch what they eat this Christmas.

I'm definitely going to have to get another batch done before the season is done, but trust me, you should try it!

welcome back

I tend to like the idea of holidays.....even if it's just for the mere fact that close friends and family come home from school/jobs that keep them overseas throughout the year.


So far a few of my close friends are here and my God-sister comes just in time for Christmas.....I may have a light pocket but I know that chilling out at home and simple nights out will do just fine to catch up on everything that's been happening and enjoy the short holiday!

I hope that although the general elections will take place this Christmas, persons will get the chance to spend time with each other and enjoy all the holiday has to offer. I also hope of course that no matter how 'light pocket' you may be, it won't put a damper on the fun you have.

Stay safe this holiday!

all I want for Christmas is....

This time of year can be very depressing.....because more often than not, the list of 'I want' is usually much longer than the list of 'I can afford'.

If you're anything like me, all year you try to find ways to save but then the savings never seems to match up the the cost of all the 'I want.' Then to top that off, the older I get is the more I can understand why gifts move from 'buy me something pretty' to 'buy me something I need'. lol

Once upon a time my Grandma would go out and buy some hot new toy or girly thing for my sisters and I....now we each get an envelope with a cute little card and money. Usually inside the card is a nice little Christmas blessing and the words 'you know I would never know what to get you so be sure to treat yourself to something nice' (or at least its something to that effect.)

Then that money from Grandma usually goes into buying the outfit for New Years Eve, something I actually need....or gas for the car.....or some other random thing that comes up.

But this year.........I'm thinking of sending a message to all my gift-givers:

I don't really want gifts, because everything I really want is gonna cost a pretty penny. Instead I'll be taking donations to go towards my Graduate School Fund.....if you are still adamant about buying me a gift I would prefer if you selected from the list below:


- money for my charity projects (my Deaf kids need all the help they can get...plus it's a worthy cause for the season of giving)
- a Kindle/Nook (preferably with a blue or green case)
- a new laptop (preferably one that has all the specs for graphics and entertainment)
- a shopping spree (save yourself from buying clothes I may not like or end up never wearing...instead just let me run wild in the store and you pay for it)
- a car (it need not be too fancy but spare me the gas guzzler)

I think it's a pretty good sum up.......I am also very aware that I may not get these things lol. On a serious note though

It's the thought that counts....and getting me a gift makes me feel special enough =]

looking a lot like Christmas

In my house it's customary for us to have up Christmas decorations from the weekend after Thanksgiving. This is my Mom's favourite time of year so getting decorations up and making the house look 100% Christmas inspired is just as important to her as studying for exams!

Usually the boxes of this and that are out in the living room from Thanksgiving day, decisions about what we'll put up happens by black Friday and by Sunday evening everything is as it should be....all to Mother dearest's liking of course.

This year my Mom left the island to spend Thanksgiving in the U.S. so things started a bit earlier and ended a bit later (with a few days of nothing happening while she was away of course).

Based on where we live now, decor is strictly inside the house alone, and to be honest based on how precious Mom's decorations are to her, I don't think she has any interest in putting anything outside anyway!

So here's an idea of what we have going on in the living/dining space:
- the Christmas tree
- Mom's miniature town...all placed on a 'sheet of white snow'
- the 'Christmas family' (Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus) 
- the wreath-wrapped staircase carefully adourned with decorations and the 3 stockings which hang below the decorated wreath

All in all it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at home and although there are reasons for me to not be too jolly this season, the decoration help keep spirits up.

Will post pics soon.