POEM: My Lord Answers Me

I will not be bullied
I won't be used like a pully
cause I am truly
loving me as just me
slim and petite
keeping pace with the beat
and sometimes taking the heat
it's in me
I'm the best that I can be
I fight sometimes I flee
I'm like a tall tree
and when I make my plea
my Lord answers me

ribbon

POEM: My Way

While some think I'm crazy
a little hazy
and sometimes lazy
I know my hair is wavy
and I like gravy
so save me
the pity
cause it's getting more gritty
and I'm getting witty
definitely not filthy
and for sure not guilty
all I can say is truly
I have sometimes been unruly
acted uncouthly
and even growled rudely
but that's my human side
and most days it can't hide
cause then you'd know I lied
and I never flied
I can't love wide
and will never be a bride
but I'll always glide
take it on the wild slide
and from time to time be mild
cause when I'm wild
you get scared
cause I'd the one who dared
to be different
crazy and inconsistent
tough and resilient
not afraid of the serpent
so no matter who you sent
they can't get my will bent
they might as well repent
I am not going to relent
so take your pride and leave
cause your style is like a bad weave
an ill plan concealed
but all I will reveal
me and my crazy ways
but that's all I have to say
live on and have a good day
cause I'll continue to do it my way

ribbon

Book Review: Intentional Stranger

I just read Intentional Stranger, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. J.J. Oxendine is a very talented author and I look forward to reading more of her work. I also reviewed the book on Amazon and gave it two thumbs up! Great job JJ!

Taking a Stand

Sometimes when you stand up for something, and in the end, yo feel like you fall on your face. However, sometimes what seems to be futility is really a step going forward. Sometimes you have to stand up. When we all sit down and leave things as is, there is no growth or new thinking. There would be no Google if someone had continued to sit down. There would be no internet at all if someone had continued to sit down.

Also standing up does not mean that you have to be loud. It can bea quiet and conscious choice to stand up for something. I have made several decisions quietly and people just notice that I do not take part in something or I sit quietly. There are stands that I have had to take and will continue to take. You have to be mature and know when and how to fight your battles.

Take your stand in a positive way while still being respectful to others. Stand up for what is right and just.

ribbon

POEM: My Trod

I'm in the midst of the lions
while on my trod to Zion
but I won't be lying
and stealing to get there
cause my head
will need to be clear
cause if that's gone
there would be
no use for me
cause I'll be
worst than a decaying tree
with no life or future
no reason or culture
just a pending disaster
and that's not what I want
for my seed
cause this Black Diamond breed
is special and talented
and these roots
go long and far
so this trod I'm on
is just the beginning
I have mountains
to move
I've got feats
to prove
cause my destination
is heaven
and I won't back down
for nothing

ribbon

Words of Encouragement for May 20-21, 2012

There's a lot going on around us. All I can beg of you is that you are patient and stand grounded in your faith. Stay focused and always try your best to do your best. Life must have challenges and you cannot run away from them. You have to learn to overcome your obstacles and recover from defeat.

Challenges can sometimes be enjoyed if there is a triumpant end. Life does not always hand you simplicity and ease and it's hard to regain confidence. However, we have a master who has set a path of growth for us. As we mature, we are to use our talents to show people positivity and encourage them in love.

Not all of your fellow man will love you, but you must still show them love as Jesus did his captors. Love is the beginning and the end. That agape love is unselfish, kind and sweet and we must strive to love our neighbors and our enemies. Be strong and let us work together to improve the world for us all.

ribbon

Twelfth Annual BVI Music Festival Set for May 25 to 27, 2012

The BVI is hosting its twelfth annual BVI Music Festival in Cane Garden Bay from May 25 to 27, 2012 featuring Third World, Estelle and other artistes.

The 2012 BVI Music Festival is set for Friday, May 25 to Sunday, May 27, 2012 on the beach in Cane Garden Bay in Tortola in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The year 2012 marks the twelfth year that the music fest has been held. The event has grown since its conception and is well-attended and supported by the British Virgin Islanders, persons from other Caribbean Islands and from the United States as well. This exciting three-day weekend is filled with an eclectic mix of musical genres and artistes. The performers include local acts out of the BVI and the wider Caribbean region as well as internationally recognized artistes.

Twelve Years of BVI Music Festival

The BVI Music Fest started in 2000 and has featured many local and international acts. BVI Artistes such as Iyaz, Third Dimension Band, Out of the Desert Band, Quito and The Edge and Sister Joyce have performed for a beach full of enthusiastic fans. Regional artistes have included performers who sing both reggae and soca. Destra, Shurwayne Winchester, Alison Hinds, Iwer George and Black Stalin have given super soca performances at previous music fests. Reggae artistes such as Jimmy Cliff, Morgan Heritage, Gregory Isaacs, Beenie Man, Luciano and Maxi Priest have wowed the audiences in the past with their energetic and captive renditions of popular songs. The BVI Music fest also had the pleasure of featuring renowned performers such as Jonathan Butler, Roberta Flack, Envogue, Jonathan Butler, the Manhattans and BoyzIIMen. Popular artistes like Daddy Yankee, Trey Songz, Fantasia and Keyshia Cole have also graced the music fest stage.

The Slate for BVI Music Festival 2012

 According to the BVI Music Fest Official website, the international headliners "are English Grammy Award winning R&B singer, [Estelle](http://www.estellemusic.com/); [Third World](http://www.thirdworldband.com/), Forever Motown, Antigua's Tizzy of El-A-Kru and Fireman Hooper." Rhodni Skelton, the event coordinator, shared that the three-day event is packed with awesome gospel, Rock & Roll, Motown, jazz, reggae, hip hop, R&B, soul and soca music coming from local and international artistes.

• Night One - Friday, May 25: The first night of the music festival includes a new item called the "VI All Stars Showcase" which will give the BVI musicians a chance to share their talents and music with the diverse audience. Kirk Adams, McKenzie B'More Baltimore, Lincoln Ward, Too Smooth, Ritical, Maccabee, Shine-I are some of the local artistes who will be performing in the showcase. The other headline artistes for Friday night are Extreme band, Fireman Hooper and Tizzy and El A Kru from Antigua.
• Night Two - Saturday, May 26: Local band A Type of Toad and local reggae artiste Ritical will be performing on the second night of music festival. Mada Nile, a reggae artiste from neighboring St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands and Lady Saw from Jamaica will represent the powerful women of the reggae genre. Third World will be the headliner for Saturday night.
• Night Three - Sunday, May 27: The final night of the BVI Music Festival will start off with gospel music and continue with Ouida, a blooming local artiste. The X-Factor winner, [Melanie Amaro](http://www.melanieamaroofficial.com/), who is celebrated by her people in the BVI, will also have an opportunity to awe the crowd. Sunday night continues with Forever Motown and the most popular artiste of the music festival, Estelle, a highly talented and respected R & B artiste.

Persons who wish to attend the 2012 BVI Music Festival and have to travel to get there need to plan in advance and book their flights, hotel and transportation. Tickets can be purchased in Tortola, Virgin Gorda and St. Thomas at a cost of $20 per night. VIP passes are also available for $250 for entry to the three nights along with food and drinks all night. From May 25 to 27, 2012, the BVI, and Cane Garden Bay in particular, will be full of activity. Performers from the BVI, the Caribbean region and international performers will be gracing the stage to give heartfelt performances that will leave the crowd thoroughly pleased.