The Upbeat Dad: Making the Most of Your Time as a Single Dad For this week’s article , I’ll share with you a life lesson I learned from a movie I watched over the 2010 Christmas holidays – The Karate Kid. It’s a remake of the 1984 movie with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita – this version features Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. If you haven’t watched it, it’s a movie I highly recommend. Smith’s character was a boy named Dre Parker and Chan played a maintenance man named Mr. Han. Parker’s father passed away and his mom got a job in China so the boy, who was about 10-13 years old, had to leave the United States for a new country where he had to learn of a new culture and a new language, among other things. Han worked in the apartment complex where Parker and his mother lived.
Book Review - Daughter of the Caribbean Beloved Jamaica, the island of my birth, where brilliant sunshine and glistening white-sand beaches demand reverence; where the fruit is sweet and abundant; and where the people are strong, defiant and accomplished ... Daughter of the Caribbean is a love letter that pays homage to the culture and heritage of this exotic, beautiful and conflicting island paradise that is Jamaica.
Interview Jamaican, Simone Harris, founder of "Choreography is Copyrightable" This week we interview Jamaican, Simone Harris, founder of "Choreography is Copyrightable". The "Choreography is Copyrightable" is an initiative designed to inform and educate choreographers about their rights under copyright law. According to Harris, “choreographers in the Caribbean region have for far too long been treated as the forgotten creators of original content….they have just as much legal protection from infringements as musicians and should be aware of their rights under law.”
Getting a land title in Jamaica with a diagram A reader asks our Jamaican legal whiz the following question: I would like to find out how to get some land titles. I have a diagram for property already surveyed.
Make the most of the International Year of Youth In Jamaica the indolence, apathy and acquiescence normally associated with matters affecting youths persist. As youths we have two options, one, we can accept things as they are and continue turning a blind eye at the negation of our rights or two, we can take matters into our own hands like the youths of Guyana did.
Welcome to Isla as the locals call it Isla is 20 min ferry ride off of Cancun. We went down for 12 days
last year for Joe's daughters wedding. She got married south of Cancun and we had always wanted to come here longer than a day trip. Its nothing like Cancun a true hidden gem, a Mexican gem.
Buy A House - Don't Build (Part 1) - American Retiree in Jamaica Wouldn’t it be nice to move to Jamaica into a brand new house that you designed yourself? Sounds inviting doesn’t it? Before you get your hopes up let me explain to you some of the things you will encounter to make the house a reality.
Conversation with Jamaican Based Fashion Designer, Lubica This week we interview Jamaican fashion designer, Lubica. Originally from Slovak Republic, Lubica now resides in Kingston, where she has a small boutique store, Base Kingston & Belle. Most recently she has formed a partnership with Tami Chynn to design a new clothing line. Here is our conversation with Lubica.
Jamaica Through My Eyes - American Retiree in Jamaica Over the years I have written articles on a wide variety of subjects which have come from my personal experiences in Jamaica. I have either lived them myself or was close enough to make keen observations. It was very seldom that my personal feelings were revealed in any of the subject matter. There has been a lot of criticisms on my views on different subjects over the years.
Book Review - 118 Degrees Delicious 118 Degrees Delicious is a collection of delicious healthy live vegan raw food recipes. These simple recipes will inspire healthier choices while satisfying even the most discriminating of palates! All recipes are dairy and gluten free and include complete nutritional information!
11 Questions for 2011 With Peter Lloyd Peter Lloyd is a face and voice that Jamaicans have grown up with for nearly 20 years. From numerous films and TV, where he is remains the popular Matthew Robinson on Jamaica’s #1 drama Royal Palm Estate, to radio and theatre, Peter Lloyd is currently enjoying success as a recording and performing artiste. A Rasta and family man, Peter Lloyd’s easy sexy appeal, ranging from teens to seniors, is undeniable. His latest CD, Stories From I Father’s Country, was released on March 11, 2011 on his own Blacklight Records label.
The Upbeat Dad: Dating 101 For the Divorced Dad If you’re familiar with The Upbeat Dad, you probably know that I went through a divorce in the early 2000s. You probably also know that I got remarried in 2009. I am fortunate to have two children – one from each of my marriages. Now, that’s not the way I planned it when I got married in the mid ‘90s but that’s just the reality of the situation. I’m happily married now and I intend to remain that way for the rest of my life.
What is Jamaica, the brand? What are the images your mind conjures when you think of Jamaica? Sunny beaches, ganja and guns perhaps? Or how about laid back work ethic, homophobia or backward banana republic on the brink of civil unrest? Credible words or great misnomers?
A conversation with Chef and Steward, Jamaicans living in Dubai This week we speak to the husband and wife team Lij and Kari Heron, Jamaicans living in Dubai . Lij is a sous chef in a fine-dining restaurant. Kari is a writer, photographer, filmmaker, and of course, the head cook & bottle washer in their low-carb home kitchen which they have recently taken online with a new blog called "Chef and Steward". Her photography work was recently displayed ever festival of Jamaican Art & Culture in the Middle East. Here is our conversation with them.
This week's Yaad Info: Pimping the Port | Dog Doo-Doo Fight | Barbados Fingered in More Abuses "Barbados - An island that reaches past all your stress & gets inside of you" Heeey!! Not our words...that's an actual quote from a Barbados tourism advertisement. But the latest news items sure do give that quote a WHOLE NEW perspective! We try to put a finger (c'mon, how could we let that pass?) on what may be the source of the latest Barbados PR woes. But first we've got a story of the woman who body-slammed a dog, and assaulted it's owner - all because of poop. The takeout restaurant that has cocain on the menu, and the Transport Minister's plea for locals not to pimp the newest port.
Dream-right: What the journey to Rwanda meant to me As a child my sleeves were always soaked with liquid flames, which would hang like Jamaican wis-wis (withe) from my facial monuments. I loathed wis-wis because I suspected they strangled fruit-trees and they were always in my way causing nuisance. In later years, I learned to use them as bands to keep firewood together and as skipping ropes.
Consular Processing: Confusion, Misrepresentation, and Frustration. In my immigration practice my clients all prefer to complete their immigration process in the United States or at an overseas U.S. Consulate office in Canada or elsewhere. It seems that no one wants to travel to Kingston, Jamaica for their final interview.
New Blog: Jamaican Beauty Welcome to the Jamaican Beauty Blog. Please feel free to shed light on what you think is appealing to you and what is not when it comes to beauty. I am Simone and I am your beauty expert, but I need your help. See Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and my advice to you, YOU ARE THE BEHOLDER- while other people opinion count and other people see you… Please see yourself.
A conversation with the CEO/designer of the Ma-tings clothing line Introduction - This week we interview Alex Evequoz the CEO/designer of the hot Jamaican Dancehall clothing line Ma-ting. Alex Evequoz is from Switzerland and has a passion for Jamaica and reggae music. His clothing-line which features many of today’s popular Jamaican artists has gained many fans in a very short time.
The Upbeat Dad: Life Lessons from The Olympian Today’s article, on the surface, might appear to be about an Olympic athlete. But if you look deeper, it’s a lesson for every person. Each of us has goals, dreams and ideals that we seek. For many of us, we struggle for years before we get that breakthrough that we’ve yearned for. We make sacrifices. We work morning, noon and night to reach the goals that we aim for.
New Blog: Ordinary Anointments We are pleased to announce a new Jamaicans.com blog "Ordinary Anointments" by Andrea Shaw, Ph.D., M.F.A. Ordinary Anointments provides weekly commentary on life, current events, and Caribbean popular culture, offering extraordinary insight into the ordinary in a clear, and thoughtful format.
This week's Yaad Info: Roaches Swarm Food Shop | Reggae Pizza All OLINT investors will shed a little tear for this one: David Smith pleads guilty to fraud charges. Cash Plus is also in the news, as it seems Carlos Hill wasn't the only one trying to swindle us out of our money. But in this case the allegations are against a well-established, multinational company! This week we also look at British nationals who want to be Jamaican, British pizza that wants to be reggae, and a British artiste dying under strange circumstances. There's also the con job - small breasted con-artists, and stripping con-artists. Another week on the LIGHTER SIDE!
10 Questions with attorney, & writer Philippa Davies This week we interview attorney, writer, and St. Andrew High School for Girls graduate Philippa Davies, author of Travel Light: Memories of a Covenant Journey which was published on February 11th, 2011.
Unless you’ve been living as a recluse for the last few years, or you’ve chosen to ignore the technological advancement of the Internet, chances are that you have heard of the concept of social networking. The way that the world communicates in the 21st century has been completely transformed by this phenomenon.
Social networking is a web-based structure that allows persons who have common interests to interact freely online; sharing comments, ideas and stories.
Making Money with Renewable Resources The ability to flick a switch and receive electric light, or to turn a tap and get potable water are everyday processes that many of us take for granted. However, advancements which allow us to live more comfortably can sometimes prove to be double-edged swords as they can bring both positive and negative effects. Our increasing demand for modern-day amenities is putting tremendous stress on the environment.
Lyrics Competition - Win a $25 Gift Card You have until March 26th, 2011, to come up with some creative lyrics to a reggae or dancehall riddim of your choice and posting them in the contest thread. The riddim and the subject are yours to choose. Do you have the lyrics to the next hit single? Will your lyrics sell off?
A Jamaican Fashionista's Story: Satan Wore Blue Suede Shoes and a Pashmina Shawl Personal Assistants are the guardians who save prominent or successful figures from themselves. I first met Julie Bee while I had been working for a group of Investors who spent most of their days ripping their staff into threads by screaming at the top of their lungs and making distasteful jokes of every female that entered their sphere.
This week's Yaad Info: Raga, BCJ Mix-up | “Porn Again” Christians | Cake Soap Profits Soar Ragga-ragga-ragga-ragga...so goes the song by an entertainer named for a "scandal" bag, and oh what a scandal we have on our hands this week! Popular daytime show host, Kingsley "Ragashanti" Stewart, was kicked off the airwaves yet again by the broadcasting commission. Just prosecution, or unfair persecution??? We delve into the mix-up! But there's a lot more wacky news to cover: gangsters nabbed in church, cake soap profits on the rise, Christian couples enjoying porn, and Everald "Warrington" Warmington. It's podcast time!
10 Questions with Gayle Cunningham from Kid Friendly Jamaica This week we interview Gayle Cunningham the founder of the blog Kid Friendly Jamaica. There are lots to do in Jamaica for adults but what is there to do for children. Gayle has set out on an adventure blogging on what is really there to do in Jamaica for children. The site was recently nominated for a Jamaica Blog Award and is certainly one to watch.
Interview Jollywood Productions, Kanhai Condison This week we interview Kanhai Condison, CEO of the Jamaican based, Jollywood Productions. Started in 2008, the main goal of the company is to HELP build the FIlm/Acting Industry in Jamaica. They have releases a set of short films online with Jamaican actors. They are currently working on a few feature films ( God's Window, Snow, I Sleeper, Broken, Parallel Points and The Cycle) to be released in 2012 and 2013. Jollywood Productions have six sections; Jollywood ENTERTAINMENT, Jollywood FILMS, Jollywood MAGAZINE, Jollywood MERCHANDISE, Jollywood TALENT and Jollywood TV. They recently released a series of online clips on Youtube and Facebook with rehearsal footage from their up-coming local TV series, S.L.E.E.PERS . Here is our conversation with Kanhai Condison.
One door is closed, another is open: Making your comeback from a setback You may have heard of Bob Marley. He is the Jamaican philosopher/reggae superstar who has penned many memorable songs including one of my favorites: Coming in from the Cold. In this particular song, Marley queries, “Why do you look so sad and forsaken?” Then, without waiting for an answer, Marley offers up some sound advice in the form of a rhetorical question: “When one door is closed, don't you know another is open?”
Streets of Kingston How well do you know your way around town in Jamaica? How well do you know Kingston? Which streets were renamed? Take this quiz to find out.
This week's Yaad Info: Pastor Caught with Weed | Addi di Lecturer | West Indies Bowled! In the first segment of the podcast we interview Kenute Hare - Director of the Road Safety Unit in the Ministry of Transport and Works. This interview follows up on last week's story about the current ban on importation of used tyres, and the push by some stakeholders to have that ban lifted. After the serious stuff, we look at the Trinidadian pastor who wants more than just the Holy Spirit, discuss the benefits of stoning the west Indies team (maybe a good suggestion), take a quick visit to the Manatt circus, and drink some Vybz Rum at the Kartel lecture at the University of the West Indies.
The Inner Workings of Conditional Permanent Residence This month I will discuss the issue of conditional permanent residence status. The term “conditional permanent residence” can be confusing as the term refers to a permanent immigration status that is still conditional, i.e., temporary, on certain legal conditions. Most recipients of “conditional permanent residence” are often confused as to the specific actions that must be taken to remove the condition from their permanent residence. In addition, most applicants are weary of filing their application to remove the condition on their permanent resident status if they are separated, divorced or experiencing marital problems.
The Upbeat Dad: Life Lessons from The Karate Kid Movie For this week’s article , I’ll share with you a life lesson I learned from a movie I watched over the 2010 Christmas holidays – The Karate Kid. It’s a remake of the 1984 movie with Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita – this version features Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. If you haven’t watched it, it’s a movie I highly recommend. Smith’s character was a boy named Dre Parker and Chan played a maintenance man named Mr. Han. Parker’s father passed away and his mom got a job in China so the boy, who was about 10-13 years old, had to leave the United States for a new country where he had to learn of a new culture and a new language, among other things. Han worked in the apartment complex where Parker and his mother lived.
Facebook Campaign - Join Our Fan Page Today!!! We are conducting a Facebook Fan Page campaign and are looking for our friends to become Fans. After “liking” our Fan Page you will get our site updates, exclusive live reports & pictures from Jamaican events at home & abroad, videos, recipes, notifications of Jamaican news & events update, exclusive Facebook giveaways and more in real time. Feel free to share this with your friends and help us reach our goal of 2000 fans by the end of the March! Once we hit 2000 we will begin our contests and giveaways. Please click here become a Fan!
This week's Yaad Info: Follow Di Bokkle | Bomb Threat a Hoax | Day of Rage??? Dandy shandy!! Cock-up is a TEN!! Bounty and Kartel show their skills at "sighting" bottles and sprinting, at St. Mary stage show. If Kartel could get a visa to England, we'd probably send him to the London olympics. Maybe we should start "bokkling" the politicians - a student has started a campaign in the media calling for a Jamaican revolution akin to what has taken place in Egypt and Tunisia. No doubt Bruce Golding will try to wiggle his way out of that just like he's trying to wiggle his way out of testifying at the Manatt Commission of Enquiry. More Manatt, more Finsac and a little Scratch Perry, all on this week's podcast.
Scotiabank fetes media party in the 'Great Green Outdoors' While the waters of the Wag Water River kept the environs of Boone Hall Oasis cool, President Bruce Bowen and the Scotiabank Marketing and Corporate Affairs team feted members of the media in ' The Great Green Outdoors'. The event held on Saturday February 26, 2011, was rich in the creative skills
