POEM: Vision is Lacking

Vision is lacking
the powers are slacking
some are losing my backing
cause the bills are stacking
high
some sly
some lie
some shy
away from the truth
while they stiff our loot
and give us the boot
how rude and uncouth
they are
they feel like they are the star
but they can't reach my bar
even when they leave me scarred
cause I'm not a flunk
surely not a punk
I know when I hit a slam dunk
their egos get sunk
in my mind I say war
but my God says stand afar
and be above par
cause I am a star

That's my word today.
Linette

POEM: Bob Marley Vibrations

As I Catch A Fire and Stir It Up
Jammin in my mind is how to
Satisfy My Soul
There is So Much Trouble in this World
but yet I feel like a Iron Lion in Zion
I know I'm never Waiting in Vain
because this Exodus
is more than a Natural Mystic
I ask myself
Could You Be Loved
but I know that while
you feel
I am on a Rastaman Vibration
I'm just gonna Chant Down Babylon
and then I'll Get Up, Stand Up
because the system that
was designed to screw us
will never beat us
because this
One Love
Positive Vibration
is all we need
to live up
free up
and sing the
Redemption Song

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Prayer for February 5, 2012

Heavenly Father,

As we begin this new week, let us go forward with vim and vigor to serve you and to be better role models for the youth. Father, comfort those who are suffering, are underpriveleged and those who are searching for you. We look to you for grace, for peace and inspiration. Dear God, you have and always will be our source of strength and life. We bless your name at all times.

AMEN

Trials on these Jobs

I am starting to wonder what really is there in a job. Many of us are disgruntled and dejected. We all say that it makes no sense for us to complain because it falls on deaf ears. We are either under-valued, over-worked or simply put on a shelf. We watch the lack of management, micro-management, waste, bickering and potential embezzlement and stay quiet. In fact, we mostly grumble or dream of how we can make change. Only some of the us ever make it in the positions where we can effect change.

Many of us who do just want power. Some of us really do want see improvement but are so frequently thrown under the bus that we become disallusioned with the job. I really do think that young professionals have to further themselves in the community to foster their growth. Join an organization or better yet create new opportunities for growth.

I realized a long time ago that a 9 to 5 is just that - 10 hours (getting to and from) to put into the system so that your income can be tracked and so that you can pay it forward in taxes to keep the country running properly. We have to find ways to stimulate our minds and use our knowledge. There are always opportunities for new business ideas to develop or for community mentoring.

It is no longer acceptable for us to sit on jobs bickering - we just have to push forward and launch ourselves to the next level. My real Marketing experience came mainly from one full-time job which only lasted a few months, the student Advertising Club at UVI, the Callaloo Poets, Miss Teen Diva Pageant and Signature by Terry Donovan. If I sit at home or wait on my employer to make anything happen, I would die very sad and miserable.

We should look forward to getting ourselves out there and rising higher! Don't sit down there like you're on trial on any job - use your knowledge to propel yourself.

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BVI Hosts Farmers' Week 2012 from February 10 to 17, 2012

The BVI is hosting Farmers' Week 2012 from February 10 - 17, 2012.

The Government of the British Virgin Islands  supports the agricultural industry and the major event that showcases the fruits of the industry is Farmers' Week. This year, 2012, marks twenty years of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour and the Department of Agriculture hosting the Farmers' Week event.

Farmers' Week

While Farmers' Week started in 1992, the Department of Agriculture always held Agricultural Exhibitions in Paraquita Bay in Tortola since the early 1960s. Many older Virgin Islanders can share information about the grand displays of crops, livestock, preserves and handicrafts at the past exhibitions and current Farmers' Week. Since the celebration was changed from a two-day exhibition to a weeklong celebration, the activities extended past Tortola to the other big islands in the BVI. Since 1992, Farmers' Week was extended to Jost Van Dyke, Anegada and Virgin Gorda. In addition, the date for Farmers' Week was set to start from the first Friday of February and concluding on the following Friday.

Culture of Farmers' Week

 The intent of Farmers' Week is to promote all aspects of agriculture in a fun and cultural setting while showcasing the best agricultural displays. Farmers are encouraged to include their crops and

livestock in the various competitions. The farms are judged through field judging where the judges visit the sites and score based on various criteria. There is also on-site judging where produce, livestock, handicrafts and preserves are brought to the Department for judging and then display during the festivities. The coveted prizes include Best Livestock Farmer, Best Mixed Farmer, Best Poultry Farmer and several others.

Days of Farmers' Week

On the first Friday, Farmers' Week begins with an opening ceremony in Tortola which includes various diplomatic speeches and announcements of the Tortola winners and overall Champion Farmer award. The day progresses with tours of the various  inning entries on display and other cultural entertainment. The events continue in Tortola on the Saturday with similar activities. On the Sunday, there is an Ecumenical Service on Paraquita Bay in the morning and then the cultural activities continue. On the Monday, Farmers' Week continues in Anegada as the farmers on that island showcase what they have to share agriculturally. Jost Van Dyke hosts its exhibition on Tuesday and then on the Thursday, the events continue in Virgin Gorda. On the last day, the second Friday, there is a grand Food Fair at the Noel Lloyd Action Movement Park in Tortola where vendors sell local cuisine, delicacies and beverages.

Farmers' Week 2012

 Farmers' Week 2012 is being celebrated under the theme "Celebrating 20 Years of BVI Culture Through Agriculture". Due to scheduling constraints, the opening date was moved to the second Friday of February, February 10, 2012. Preparations have been put in place so that this twenty year celebration is one that is agriculturally significant and enjoyable.

Old Music

Old music brings back old memories. Sometimes I draw back to the old video or a moment in school. I may look back and remember that I disliked a song but I like it now. In many cases my old feelings remain the same. I have pretty much given up on new music only finding a few that tickle my ears. I noticed from the time I was younger that music is just being re-invented, sampled and re-inspired.

In almost every genre, the classics stand out and that's why they have to be sampled. I still think for most of the songs the original beats the remake any day. A lot of the catchy hip hip/rap traps contain R&B or Reggae inlfuences.

My memories are good as I reminisce on an old track such as "Back To Life" by Soul II Soul or "Rumours" by Club Noveau. I revert to the old soca of Burning Flames, Eddie & the Movements or Imaginations Brass and of course the reggae by Bob Marley, Steel Pulse or Third World.

I love music and love the classics the best. The new music is just not ready for the test.

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Four Things Parents Should Tell Their Teenaged Daughters

Parents should be sure to discuss life issues with their teenaged daughters so that the girls are informed about sex, periods, self-esteem and giving back.

Today it is very important for parents to communicate with children, especially teenaged daughters. The days of giving partial advice to teens is now long gone as the internet provides both good and bad sources of information, so parents have to speak openly to their children. Parents should tell their teenaged girls about menstruation, sex, self-esteem and community service as this helps the girls to be stronger women.

What Teen Girls Should Know About Menstruation

Young ladies usually have their first period between the ages of 9 and 16 with the average age being 12 years old. Every woman menstruates differently as some have cramps, swollen glands, nausea, heavy or light bleeding and some have no additional symptoms at all. Parents should educate their daughters about the reasons for menstruation so that the young ladies can learn and understand their cycle. This will help the girls to be prepared and avoid forgetting their pads or tampons or worse, any embarrassing moments.

Tell Girls the Full Facts About Sex

In the past, parents in the Caribbean have said to their daughters, "don't go and talk to boys because you will get pregnant". Today, parents can no longer speak to children like that. Teenaged girls, most of whom would have already have had their first period, need to be told about sex so that they make the right choices. While sex is not a delicate topic to discuss, there are many references parents can reach for today. There are many books and there are articles such as WedMD's "Talking With Children About Sex – Topic Overview" that parents can peruse for information. Parents must note that it is not as simple as giving the child the book to read and hoping that understanding will come. Both mother and father must take time and make themselves available to answer questions. Contraceptives of course should be discussed - not as an encouragement to seek sex but a precaution.

Building a Teen Daughter's Self-Esteem

Self-esteem speaks to the core of a person's being with the value of self-worth and also with a focus of self-improvement and growth. Both boys and girls experience difficulties with their self-image but parents play a large role in easing the difficulties and ensuring that teenagers are well balanced and self-confident. Issues with physical appearance, involvement in sports or academic achievement can bring a young person down. Dyan Eybergen offers encouraging words in her Suite 101 article "The Development of Self-Esteem: Parenting Behaviours That Boost a Child's Self Worth" that "Children who receive support are strengthened; those who are empowered feel encouraged; children who know unconditional love learn to love themselves and when children know that their parents have faith in them, they are fulfilled as a human beings." Involvement in church activities, pageants, sports, writing songs and poetry are great activities for young ladies to develop and continuously improve their self-esteem

Community Service is Important for Girls

It is important for parents to instill in their young daughters the importance of volunteering and community service. Giving back to the community builds character, allows for networking and provides enhancement to a job application. Young ladies can take part in school or church based organizations or other groups such as Girl Guides, Pathfinders or other groups. Hopefully open communication between parents and teenaged girls will foster strong relationships between them. 

Young girls need to be nurtured so that they can be strong young women. When parents communicate with their teenaged daughters about sexual health, self-esteem and community service, the young women will be better equipped to deal with life.