Rolling with the Punches - Career Choices and Extracurricular Activities

I've looked at all the things I wanted to be and I smile. When I was five, I wanted to be a secretary. I still can't fathom why I would want to do that.

Of course I was encouraged to be a doctor, a lawyer and such professions. I knew that was never what I wanted. By High School, I decided that I wanted to be an accountant. I did excellent in my accounting and business classes  and I followed through taking part time classes at the local community college, now named HLSCC while working full time as a bank teller.

I then transferred to UVI full time. After one semester at UVI, I changed my major. I found the accounting classes tedious and just overwhelming. I thought about what I wanted for my life and decided that I wanted a job with no bounds and that would keep me in and out of the office.

Growing up I watched reruns of Bewitched: The Complete First Season and the hot show at the time, Who's the Boss? - The Complete First Season. Darren and Angela, two heading roles, were both in advertising. I remember how they would work hard to pitch campaigns to win and wow clients. I decided that was the life I wanted.

I followed through and completed my four-year program. On graduation, I applied for a job at the main advertising firm in the USVI and was successful. I then realized the harsh realities of the work world. In some cases, you don't always use the academic information you learn, and you sometimes get bored too quickly.

I have never truly had a job that can occupy and challenge me. I have had jobs where I stay occupied but not challenged or truly interested. I work hard and get the job done because I want to do a good job.

I've always had to have extra-curricular activities to keep my brain running since finishing college. I was blessed to attend Cornell University after my BA for a year, and funnily was never able to use that knowledge on a job to help my own country move forward.

I then decided that I would roll with the punches on whichever job and see what positive I can contribute to making the organization more efficient. Some of my suggestions are taken but there are days when I feel stifled. These are the reasons why I have to have a blog and I need to write poetry. I also have to seek other means to make myself happy such as writing articles for online sites.

Some people need a big salary or position to feel that they are successful. For me, it's about the contribution that I can make and the positive change that I can push. Of course, monetary compensation is needed but I just want to live comfortable. I want to make a mark that would take my country to the next level.

I love my children, I want to have a small farm and just have a simple life. I enjoy TV and I love fashion shows so I'm always thinking on what I can do next.

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What to Consider When Joining a Club, Group or Organization

People can benefit from joining groups or clubs but the organization's goals and activities must be in line with personal time, budget and goals.

Joining a group, club or organization is good for networking and meeting new people. The opportunity to work with a team is also another advantage of joining an organization. While these factors are important, anyone wanting to join a club should learn as much information as possible about the organization. Then he or she should consider if the activities are in line with personal interests and the costs of joining and being a member. Another important factor to consider is the time that the club involvement will take up.

Why People Join Organizations

People join clubs for camaraderie, to be recognized, opportunities for growth and development, a sense of belonging and for adventures and new experiences. Despite the personal reason for joining a group or club, one must consider what the club offers and also what one can offer to the organization.

Do the Activities of the Group or Club Match Personal Interests

When joining a group or a club for the first time, it is important to know the organization's mission and vision. Do these match personal interests? A poet will seek to join a poetry group, a mechanic or car enthusiast will seek to join an automobile or racing club and an instrumentalist may seek out a band or orchestra. Someone who may want to learn something new can also join a group that focuses on activities that are outside of personal scope. For persons who enjoy volunteering, groups like the Red Cross or church organizations are best.

How Much Personal Time Will the Group or Club Take Up

Will joining the club or group take up too much personal time? Joining an organization should not be like a second job. As a group consists or more than two persons, then work should be equally shared by all members. This is not always the case and any person seeking to join a club or group needs to be mindful that the workload can become heavy if all members do not work together as a team. Book clubs, for example, require members to read books and then meet to discuss the book. New members must be mindful that organizations require commitment and time.

What Does Being a Member of the Club or Group Cost

Some groups and clubs have annual fees, meeting dues and other costs. There are also organizations that have no costs but this all depends on the activities. An example is joining a church choir. There may not be annual or meeting dues but there may be costs for choir robes.

Groups and Clubs Provide Great Networking Opportunities

Anyone who joins a group should consider the membership as a networking opportunity. Even if the club members are familiar persons, there will always be opportunities to network at functions or while traveling for the organization. Through networking, new opportunities can evolve professionally and personally.

Form a New Group or Club

Persons who have not found a club in their immediate area that attracts their interests can form a new group or club. Two or more persons with common interests can form a group, hold meetings and recruit more members. The members would need to set rules, vision and mission statements as well as the objectives of the organization.

Joining a group or a club gives people a sense of belonging and a way to work towards one common goal. Any organization will have its purpose and costs, and may require a lot of personal time. Anyone wanting to join a group should think carefully to ensure that the organization is a right fit in their life.

POEM: The Note

As I sit and compose this note
I find it easy, yet I find it hard
I have so much to tell my friends and family
I know that they love me in some way
but maybe they just don't know how to say it
All I can remember is stuff like
I am selfish, I don't have anyone's back
I don't ever listen
and I don't do anything right
So what will I tell them
I'll tell them just that
cause it's a fact they can't deny
This note will confirm
that I have made a choice
I know some will cry
while others rejoice
but I'll be in a different place
So the only person to blame
is each man for his shortcomings
But as I start pointing out their faults
I realize that I can not do my self in
because I was tarnished by others' sins
I thought about the people
who had suffered tremendously through time
from slavery to natural disasters
and even the man-made ones too
What would it be worth
for me to take my life to the joy of others
When there are so much sufferers
that I can help
Where they see me as a failure
I can only try to help another sister or brother
because that's what God put us here for
so I have to see value in my life
because God made me in his image
as a steward to take care of what he offers me
so while it may be impossible for you to see
I am going to live each day that God grants me

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Jagged Edge's Second Album: J.E. Heartbreak

Atlanta's R&B Music Group Jagged Edge released their sophomore album J.E. Heartbreak in 2000 with "Let's Get Married" and "Promise."

Twin brothers Brian Casey and Brandon Casey teamed up with Kyle Norman and Richard Wingo to form the R&B group Jagged Edge in the 1990s in Atlanta. Jagged Edge released its debut album A Jagged Era in 1997. Then in 2000, they released J. E. Heartbreak which garnered the group a fan base with songs like "He Can't Love U," "Let's Get Married" and "What You Tryin' To Do."

Jagged Edge's R&B Albums

They launched A Jagged Era in 1997 with Jermaine Dupri's

So So Def Recordings and Sony. The group became recognized for the song "I Gotta Be." Then after their sophomore release, J.E. Heartbreak in 2000, the group released Jagged Little Thrill in 2001 with the hit "Where the Party At" featuring Nelly (http://www.nelly.net/). 2003's Hard brought fans "Walked Outta Heaven." The 2006 self-titled album Jagged Edge went gold with songs like "So Amazing" and "Season's Change." The latest release is 2007's Baby Makin' Project.

Jagged Edge's Hit Album J.E. Heartbreak

J. E. Heartbreak sold over two million copies and according to Jagged Edge's official website, "that album not only solidified JE's place in R&B music history, but the works produced on that album would follow JE to this day." The official site further states that the title of the album is similar to New Edition's 1989 release of N.E. Heartbreak.

The Songs ofJ.E. Heartbreak

While all twelve songs on this album do not express heartbreak, the album seems to tell a story of a journey through the ups and downs in love. Brian and Brandon had lyrical input in all of the songs with the aid of Jermaine Dupri and other writers including Ted Bishop, Kit Walker and Jeffrey Atkins.

• "Heartbreak": The first track is "Heartbreak" which starts off with the lyrics "can't take another heartbreak...." The short track is just over one minute but continues with "Why, Why, Why, why you do the things you did, knowing that I love you so…turn around and leave, left me for dead…"
• "Did She Say": The song is about a woman's female friend who keeps trying to cheat with the woman's boyfriend. Jagged Edge sings that the friend was "making all sorts of plans, trying to get me away from you." Heartbreak comes out in this song because the untruthful friend causes mistrust in the relationship. It also contains instrumental elements from the Beatnuts song "Off The Books" which featured Big Pun, deceased, and Cuban Link.
• "He Can't Love You": In this song, the group sings passionately about missing the love of a woman who had moved on to another relationship. The chorus ends with "you should never want to be with a man if he can't be the man and do the things to you like I can."
• "Healing": "Tell me what you feeling cause I got the healing" is sung emotionally in the chorus by Jagged Edge in "Healing." Jagged Edge sings in this song about a special lady who is faithful and loving, and the immense love for her.
• "Let's Get Married": Of all of Jagged Edge's songs, "Let Get Married" is the most popular. The music video featured Fredro Starr, who sang in the rap group Onyx and acted in the movies Light It Up (1999) and Save the Last Dance (2001). The lyrics share the common man's very simple marriage proposal but in the most loving and appreciative way. "Where I would be if we were to just fall apart," "meet me at the altar in your white dress" and "frankly girl I'm tired of this emptiness, I wanna come home to you and only you" are some of the lyrics in this sweet song.
• "Promise": This song was another of Jagged Edge's top songs from the J.E. Heartbreak album. The singers pledge to be supportive, honest and more understanding in relationships. "I promise that I'll stay true, don't let nobody say it ain't so" is part of what they sing in the chorus. "I keep you first, that's the kind of love you deserve" is sung with a believable passion such that the singer would not break his promise to keep the love strong.
• "Keys to the Range": This song is one of the more upbeat songs on the album and features Jermaine Dupri. The group sings about the way a woman's behavior caused them to lose faith in her purpose in the relationship. "You changed…you're not the girl that you used to do things." Dupri adds in the bridge "you received the Jag, you wanted the Benz" to show how greedy the woman was. The group chimes in "you was on your way to the house, the money, the keys to the range."

Although J.E. Heartbreak is Jagged Edge's best album so far, the group is set to release a new album, The Remedy in March 2011. Jagged Edge's fans can look forward to tracks featuring Gucci Mane, Trina among other artists. Jagged Edge remains one of the 1990s R&B groups who has proven that they have staying power and continue to be loved by fans.

Guilty? Is Guilt Killing You Inside?

People are funny. Some can't hide their guilt and some can't hide their feelings. Maybe if you get me mad, I may get a bit smug but I get over it. If I am guilty, you may sense it as well. I've noticed that people do act funny when they know they've done something wrong.

My grandmother used to say that "ground lizard know what he did to God Almighty, he can't look up". I try to stay up and keep my head up. Guilt is not an easy burden but some seem to have no conscience in carrying it. In some cases, people find you guilty when you have committed no crime. I find that's OK since so many instances in life are judged by perception.

I do find that poeple like to take things out of context and omit details. At this point, I've stopped caring and I will live my life as best as I can. It is no sense to stress over what others say or think - especially when they are accusing others of unwarranted and unjustified wrongs.

I say that we should all just live and leave judgement to God and the courts if necessary. If you know you are guilty and you want to unburden yourself, do so. Don't let it kill you...unless someone else may try to kill you for what you did.  We all know that you can run but you can't hide, so try not to keep the guilt bottled up inside!

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My Differences

I've always wanted to be different from everyone else. I always like to take a different approach to life. I don't want to be singled out or easily noticed but I want to try new things. I guess that's why I blog and seek writing opportunities.

I wanted my hair natural when everyone was wearing straight. Then many went back natural and back and forth. I'm still natural and will blow out or even try a tasteful weave every now and then. However, that is an expensive lifestyle choice so I'll stick with my nappies.

In college, everyone opted for Finance, Accounting or Management so I did Marketing and Finance. I still feel it's all common sense when it boils down - applying the knowledge in real life situations requires gained experience and a willingness to adapt.

I'm the person who sought opportunity wherever I could. Me - sit at home to wait for a big job when I could take a small one and make some money? Never! I see a scholarship application or essay contest and I run for it. I love events like the Flower Show that I can work with nature. I enjoy working with farmers and anything agricultural - that's my 9-5.

However, I am not the tree hugger who's going to go and clean up the coast. I believe in leading by example and keeping the place clean and placing fines on the litterers. The place does need to be cleaned but that's a reactive gesture. We have to continously educate our people.

I am not well-rounded and I do not do sports. Tell me to dance and I will. Ask me to sing and I'll try. Let me write a poem for what I want to write about. Don't tell me what you want because then you should write it yourself.


I am simple and sometimes quiet but never underestimate me because I do pay attention. I guess I am different because certain things I am leaving to God right now. The people who try to take advantage or pull stunts on me - I leave them alone because I know the come-uppance is in the works.

I am different and I love being me. I have accepted me and the most you can do is the same.

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As much

Four Years and It's Election Time Soon

It is an election year in the British Virgin Islands. Some candidates have already started and others are lagging behind. Some persons whose names have been called seem to be disallusioned or discouraged and some have given up. Some have tried for over 10 years and are still not successful.

My grandmother would always repeat the saying "the race isn't always for the swift" which goes back to the fable about the Tortoise and the Hare. You take your time to plan, strategize and implement. You may not be successful on the first try but the people eventually support someone who perseveres.

I always smile when candidates who run once, disappear or accept a government job or contract. Whichever the case, they seem to just be fly by night candidates. What are their true motives? Only those one-time persons will know.

The people are looking for solid leaders who seem to have the country's best interest at heart. We have several persons who have tried on more than one ocassion and have eventually won a seat. Former Legislator  Eileen Parsons and Hon. Irene Penn-O'Neal are two good examples of persons, women of course, who persevered and eventually overwhelmingly attained seats. I always say kudos to these ladies for never giving up.

Candidates need to have a good team backing them. They need to get their faces out there at least one year prior to the election if they are in a position to do so. Of course, they should follow the issues and evaluate the prior election results and a focus group in each district is not a bad idea  either.

I am an advocate for people exercising their right to vote. Many are discouraged right now but we just can't go forward that way. If the candidates are not good enough, please tell them so. Tell the party leaders, the independents themselves and all others that they are not ready, not trustworthy or incapable of moving us forward.

Where are the ones who will speak of environmental stewardship, sustainable tourism, educational reform (not deform) or cutbacks? I guess they will all step up soon to see who can win the popularity contest. Kudos to those who have already come forward. The people are rearing and waiting for the others.

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