Why I Love John Legend

I love any artist that steps out of the normal realm of popular music. Singers like Tanya Stephens, Queen Ifrica and Usher bring new fresh music with amazing instrumentals and tight lyrics.

John Legend sings a lot about infidelity and the perils of love. His music gives that neo-soul feel with the infusion of actual instruments especially the piano - like in the intro of the song "Get Lifted" and everyone's favorite "Ordinary People".

He tells it to us straight like in "Used to Love You". He gets upbeat and hip hop in "Green Light". He gets hard with his Grammy wins by collaborating with the "Roots". He goes reggae with Buju Banton in "Can't Be My Lover" and with Estelle in "No Other Love". In "I Can Change" he links with Snoop Dogg and claims that he can change his cheating ways.

While some people may say, why would you want to hear songs about cheating, this is a part of life. Poetry in music is designed to express the stresses - the realities that people are facing daily. Relationships are a fundamental part of our daily life and music can help to give us some enjoyment from the stress.

As a poet, I seek music with interesting and deep lyrics which are outside of the norm. I may listen to Rhianna or Beyonce, but mainly because of the beat first because I do love to dance. I'll add that my favorite Beyonce song is "Me, Myself & I" because it was enjoyable listening to it and watching the video.

However, I love John Legend's style and his flavor of music. He truly is an Evolver because he always brings something fresh. When I first heard "Green Light" I could not believe the guy who sang the quiet "Ordinary People" could get so 'funkdafied' - but I love the song!

Kudos to John Legend for giving us good music!

Keeping Food Safe: How to Prevent Foodborne Illnesses

You may be eating food filled with bacteria that could cause serious illnesses. Learn how to carefully handle and store food to keep your family safe.

In the United States, food safety inspections are normal at establishments that prepare food for sale. Such inspections are necessary to protect the consumers from illnesses which can result from poorly prepared or handled food and to alleviate outbreaks linked to tainted food. At home, the onus is upon the entire family to ensure that food is safely handled and stored to prevent foodborne illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), annually approximately "76 million illnesses occur, more than 300,000 persons are hospitalized, and 5,000 die from foodborne illness."

How Foodborne Illnesses Make Us Sick

Food can make us sick through intoxication or infection. According to "Applied Foodservice Sanitation" (Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1995), intoxication when it comes to food means that toxins or poisons from bacteria or mold growth are present in ingested food and cause illness such as nausea and vomiting. A foodborne infection, on the other hand, is a foodborne illness which results from eating food that contains living harmful micro-organisms. A common symptom of an infection is diarrhea. Whether the food-related illness is linked to an infection such as Salmonellosis or an intoxication such as Staphylococcus, there will be some discomfort to the affected person.

How Bacteria Can Spread in Food

Bacteria, toxins or poisons can spread through domestic and wild animals, humans, improperly processed canned goods, cooked and raw foods and water. A common foodborne illness such as salmonellosis, caused by the bacteria salmonella, can be transmitted from infected poultry, meat and the by-products of these animals when proper food safety measures such as cooking and storing food at the optimal temperatures are not followed. Another common illness, Staphylococcus occurs when cooked or prepared foods such as potato salad, cheese or ham become contaminated with bacteria.

Food Safety Measures

It is very each for bacteria to spread and contaminate food and make people sick. Below are some helpful safety measures which can aid in reducing foodborne illnesses.

• Keep Hands Clean: Food preparers are constantly encouraged to wash hands thoroughly. Bacteria from feces, nasal passages or from other foods can easily spread from hands to food items that are still in the preparation stage. Staphylococcus can easily be spread from a cook who scratches a pimple and does not wash his hands.
• Avoid Damaged Canned Goods: If cans are swollen, frothing or show any signs of damage, discard immediately. "Applied Food Service Sanitation" warns that food from cans that are damaged should not even be tasted to avoid illness and death from botulism, which can attack the nervous system.
• Keep Foods at Safe Temperatures: The Food Safety and Inspection Service(FSIS) website states that "bacteria multiply rapidly between 40 °F and 140 °F (and) to keep food out of this "Danger Zone," keep cold food cold and hot food hot". Refrigerated food should be stored at 40 °F or below in the refrigerator and in the freezer at 0 °F or below. Cooked food must be cooked at a safe minimum internal temperature. Meat such as beef, veal and lamb steaks, roasts, and chops may be cooked to 145 °F and all cuts of pork, ground beef, veal and lamb must be cooked to at a temperature 160 °F. All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F. Hot cooked food must be maintained at temperatures 140 °F or above and when re-heating, the temperature should be 165 °F.
• Guard Food Against Cross-Contamination: Cross-contamination can occur when utensils, cutting boards and counter surfaces are not cleaned and sanitized when cooking or preparing more than one type of food. A knife that cut a chicken infected with salmonella and then is used without being washed to cut beef can spread the bacteria.
• Purchase Produce Only from Reputable Sources: Produce, especially meat, poultry, fish and the bi-products should be purchased from reputable suppliers who meet health and safety standards.
• Listen out for advisories and food recalls: On February 25, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall for all lots of 25lb boxes of Crushed Red Pepper sold by Wholesome Spice of Brooklyn, New York between April 6, 2009 to January 20, 2010 because the pepper may have possibly been contaminated with salmonella. While there have been no confirmed cases of Salmonellosis linked to the product, it is important to remain vigilant of such recalls and information.

Today, it is important to be vigilant about food safety and health. While foodborne illnesses cannot be completely avoided, having the basic knowledge about the illnesses and some measures to prevent them can aid in keeping a family healthy. The list of safety measures given are not exhaustive but provide a basic foundation for keeping food safe. Visit the CDC, FDA and FSIS websites for more information on food safety and for updates on food recalls. 

Ever Get Thrown "Under the Bus"?

2011 has started off as my getting "thrown under the bus" year. Everywhere I turn, it seems like people are trying to set me up to look stupid. Fortunately for me, I keep stepping and rising. No matter what you do in your family, organization or in life in general, there will always seem to be someone or some persons who are out to get you.

But are they really trying to get you? Is it all in your mind? Somethings, difficult situations occur and we want to blame others for our failures and misfortunes. Things will never go perfectly in life. I always say that anything that is too perfect usually has too many flaws.

Whether they are trying to get you or if you are just paranoid or insecure about your various relationships, you can't let other people hold you back. Get your "Shine" on! You can shine quietly and reap the rewards of your achievements or you can share your accomplishments with those who around you so that you can inspire them.

There are days when that sinking feeling will come and someone was really trying to get you - to make you look bad. I've had one of those days recentlly and I realized the other persons involved just can not accept change. They may not be intimidated but they only see things from one spectrum. I was "under the bus" but the key persons in the end still worked with me because they knew that I did try my best.

If you are "under the bus", don't stay there! Get up and out and show everyone that no matter the size of the missile sent your way, you are destined for greatness and you will "shine"!

Stepping Towards Your Educational Goals - Think SWOT

We all need to celebrate each other's accomplishments. I am proud of co-worker Theodore James, who was able to achieve his BS. Kudos to TJ!

As I think about my days at the BVI Community College, now the HL Stoutt Community College, UVI and then at Cornell University, I see my growth and progress towards adulthood. My Facebook status today is "I'm executing a master plan" and the steps I took towards attaining my higher education have taken me this far and I know that while God grants me life, his overall plan may take me further.

Education is important whether you aim for a certification in your trade or a Masters or Bachelors Degree. However, you have to chart your plan while looking at your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes. Everyone wants to be successful so while we want to live on the edge and have fun all day, we still need to take careful consideration when making decisions that will affect our lives in the future.

And YES, you should look at yourself through the lens of a SWOT! When I entered UVI in 1995, my Strengths were my math skills, being friendly and diligent. My Weaknesses were my not-so-good english skills and lack of guidance. The Opportunities were everywhere because UVI offered good professors, diverse students, various organizations and a sound curriculum. The biggest Threat was fear of failure.

Whether you are aiming to be an attorney, a mechanic, a hair-stylist or a nanny, get your papers - degree or certification and stay abreast of changes/updates in your profession. Don't let the unseen threats hold you back because you will only live in regret if you do try!

ribbon

POEM: Bottled Up

Is my love locked down?
cause if it is
please lock me up
for holding back love
cause lusting won't get you anywhere
expressing your feelings will
even when you get turned down
cause turned down is still
better than locked down
locked up feelings
suppressed in a
heart-shaped bottle

I started this poem a long time ago and only God knows if I did finish it. I do like its length and simplicity so it will stay as is.

COPYRIGHT RIBBON 2011

Saying NO When It Needs To Be Said

Humans seem to want to always please each other. However, there are days when we need to say "no" to a request. This must happen at home, on the job, in the church and just in life in general.

Don't be a patsy or pushover
If you are headed to Sea Cows Bay from Road Town at 1:00pm for a 1:30pm appointment, should you agree to take someone to East End? You can offer to find them a taxi but you really can't be in two places at one time.

What about those situations on the job where you know that your co-workers like to set you up to do the grunge work? You can offer assistance but you must say "no" at some point or you will be labelled the office pushover who takes on everyone's task.

Get a spine!
I have had to say "no" on several occassions starting from last year. I am simply tired of being taken for granted. of course on the job, you have to weigh decisions out wisely. Sometimes a conversation with a supervisor can help when you see everyone pulling at you for help. When you are a new employee, they try to orient you to become their slave in some organizations. Sometimes, supervisors are guilty of this because they just want someone to make them look good.

It is very sad to know that coworkers just want to know your strengths so that they can in some cases make you weak. If you find yourself handling personal errands daily, you may want to address this. "Any other duties as assigned" still mean duties that relate specifically to the job or organization. Of course, in a lot of cases, the more you assist in other units, the more well-rounded you can become. The setback to that is when you work in an organization rife with corruption and nepotism, you will see others rising and rewarded and there is no recognition for you. For me, that's when it's time to speak with the supervisor and management about opportunities for you to be promoted or have your pay increased.

You must tell them YES but they tell you NO
If you feel that your needs, work and accomplishments are being ignored, it's time to find another job. Don't stay in an organization where you are unhappy or uncomfortable. Work towards getting situations resolved, but if the effort is futile, it's time to move on.

You can still stay "yes" when others ask for help but do not overdraw on your personal time and energy if you know you are not able to or if you are busy. So when your sister calls two minutes for her date asking for you to babysit and you have plans to study, kindly ask her if she can ask someone else to help or let her bring the children later in the evening when they are already sleeping.

Many of us have to learn to balance our time and fulfil our personal duties as well as getting adequate rest. You can't say "yes" to everyone and "no" to your health, family and professional obligations and to yourself!

What Makes You Shine?

Some people can only shine on a job where they can use the talents of others to make them look good. How is your personality? How do you interact with people? Are you an idea giver and an implementer or both? What are you strengths and weaknesses?

Answer these questions honestly and decide how best you can shine daily at your job, in your church and in the community. While I say 'shine', I do not mean overshadowing others or taking credit for what others do. If you are a shy person, I am not expecting you to host an event to give yourself high blood pressure.

Shine with a giving and loving heart. Shine in what you do best. Don't worry about others not seeing how meaningful your contribution is. Your contribution is positive, important and appreciated. Today, many of us face tough situations in the workplace. There's always the co-worker who gives orders but never lifts a finger. There's always someone who never understands anything. There's always the person who gets the promotions and does poor work.

I shine through my personality, my talents and my abilities. There is no one position, organization or another person that can determine how I shine bcause I shine all the time. Wherever the road of life leads you, you are supposed to shine all the time. It may seem cliche but it is the truth. You have to define yourself as a person.

What do you want your eulogy to read? Everyone wants to shine - be brilliant - illuminate - radiate. So let' do it! Set your SMART goals and aim for better. Situations and conflict will always arise but try your best to SHINE!


Ribbon's words for today:

If you have to rely on one or two persons to shine, you may get dusty, rusted and busted. Thank God many of us can think on our feet, see opportunity and make the best of bad situations. Keep moving forward!