I: in my best interest

AlphabetChallenge

One of my goals for 2012 was 'self-improvement.' It really is a very broad area but in my opinion there's nothing wrong with that, because the specifics of it all will change overtime. The overall plan is to work on me so that I can get closer to my own goals and dreams.

2011 ended with the closing of one chapter and honestly there was no clear chapter that followed. I finished my undergraduate degree but didn't jump right into my graduate programme because I know I have a number of things to sort out (including short courses to complete and GRE studying to get done) before I'm ready for grad school.

During this period of sorting stuff out for school....I think it's the perfect time to fine-tune some 'me-ness.'

This means cutting some bad habits, improving the good habits, building some new habits, and as my lecturer once put it 'preparing to leave the nest.' Most of all it means taking in only positive people and situations so that I can be the best me I can be.

Vexation of spirit is a waste of time,

Negative thinking don't you waste your thoughts,

Verbal conflicts is a waste of words,

Physical conflict is a waste of flesh,

People will always be who they want,

And that's what really makes the world go round

      - There for You by Damien Marley

This may mean winning and losing some things, but I'm for whatever will build me up and not tear me down.

Toodles, I'll be busy unleashing my inner awesome!

surfs up!

A few weeks ago my hunni and I decided to go surfing....yup right here in Jamaica.

Let's not focus on my 'gym-needy' body lol

We had our class at the Copa Cobana Beach which isn't too far out from Harbor View. Our instructor named Luke has been surfing for quite some time now, and has even competed internationally in surfing tournaments (which is pretty darn cool if you ask me).

Now just to clear things up, I've been a bit afraid of sea water, because in the past I've come really close to drowning in the ocean. It's not that I can't save myself if needs be...but it's quite obvious how the pool and beach are two different situations!


So I honestly was really nervous to surf, but Luke was really cool and understood the situation with my nerves. He was there motivating us even though the wave just about ate you when you didn't keep balance on the board. lol

 Also, as you can see the surfing beach we went to isn't one of those 'white sandy beaches' you usually hear about when persons talk about Jamaica. This one is a 'black sand beach',and because of that, it isn't a perfectly manicured beach with no stones and all that stuff. With that said, I will admit that I did come home with a few scrapes from the times I did fall off the board, but there were really no major stones with sharp edges like that of daggers.

Anywho, I can admit that I was extremely impressed with myself! Although I did fall off (or jump off) the board a couple times well, I also surfed a wave all the way to the beach....and I made it just about half way for another wave or two. This of course surprised my hunni and the other guys we were with, especially since Luke says usually the girls come and just chill and watch.

yay me for being out of the norm!

Overall it was really fun. I never imagined I would be at a point where I'm brave enough to try it, but now I can say 'I've surfed in Jamaica' or 'I've surfed before.'

I will tell you though....it was definitely a workout and my arms felt it for days!!!! Surfing 100% reminded me that I really need to get myself back in the gym and work on toning my body and improving my overall fitness.

None the less, you guys should definitely try it if you get the chance. Break out of your shell and try something new......you only life once, you're only young once and there's no reason why you shouldn't enjoy life to the max!

blooming excited

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!

This week I got the final logo for my charity....and I love it! I'm glad to have talented friends who can understand what I mean when I say 'you know....something like that and this together.' lol

I've got a million thanks to my friend Lauren who did the logo for me although just for kicks she had me waiting for ages! hmph

Anywho....here it is!

Graphics by: Lauren Watkis

For copyright reasons (among others) I'll only be releasing this copy; but get acquainted with the logo because hopefully by May we'll be all over the place working to have scholarships available for the 2012/2013 academic year!

Oh and you can check out more of Lauren's work at www.behance.net/laurenwatkis

But....you're probably wondering what the foundation is all about....

Bloom Foundation for Education is a non-profit organization that aims to improve the educational opportunities available to special needs students in Jamaica. Currently we are working with the Jamaica Association for the Deaf to make student scholarships available for the 2012/2013 academic year, and to complete special projects to improve the facilities available at their various Deaf schools. 

As the foundation grows, we hope to provide additional services and opportunities including mentorship; as well as to work with other special needs groups. For now though, we are working closely with two Deaf schools in Papine, St Andrew and will be focusing on getting donors and sponsors to help alleviate the financial strain that many parents face.

So there's the basic idea of it all. We are now looking for volunteers and sponsors to come on board and be a part of the team, so feel free to contact me if you want to learn more about the Bloom Foundation for Education.

Look out for more blooming updates...especially the Coffee For Charity campaign. =]

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!

H: how you picture entertainment

AlphabetChallenge

For my E post in the AlphabetChallenge I spoke about the TEENage Observer (using their slogan - every TEEN matters). This week I shall shamelessly plug the other media house I'm affiliated with - HYPE Tv (using their slogan how you picture entertainment).

I've been working with HYPE for just over a year now and it's been an interesting experience.

I can definitely say that I learn a lot about television production and I'm now a lot more mindful of those little intricate details that most people I'm sure don't take into consideration.

It really is a nice working environment and because there aren't many of us everybody knows everybody and for the most part we each have our own little links.

I've gotten used to the fact that my producer can just about tell what I'm going to ask her depending on the tone of voice used when I call her name...and vice versa. lol

Anywho loves, be sure to check me out hosting a new episode of the HYPE 411 every night at 9. Also remember to check out HYPE TV on Facebook, on Twitter and on their website where you can check out the live stream!

Watch the HYPE =]