The Amazing Woman

The Chiney Shop

Thanks to my dad for sending me the link to this video, an interview with Jeanette Kong on her documentary "The Chiney Shop".  I may not remember any specific chiney shops in Jamaica itself (too young when I left), but I still find myself gravitating to the local "Asian store" -- I'm more posh these days :) -- for anything out of the ordinary, whether in America or here in Ireland.

Great video about a key part of the Jamaican experience that very few non-Jamaicans know about. "Out Of Many, One People" indeed!

The Fastest Man In The World

There's absolutely no doubt.  Could there be?  In the 100 meter dash finals of the 2012 Olympic games in London, Usain Bolt proved again tonight that, even when everything doesn't go perfectly, he still can blow everyone else out of the water!

And let's not forget Yohan Blake's stellar performance as well.  Sadly, Asafa Powell didn't get to show his chops in the final, robbing Jamaica of the perfect 1, 2, 3.  But still...

... how proud am I of our boys tonight?!

*Nice present for Jamaica's 50th Independence celebration tomorrow, don't you think? :)

Beautiful Yearning

So I wait for you like a lonely house / till you will see me again and live in me.  Till then my windows ache. 
- Pablo Neruda, Sonnet LXV

Gotta Get It Wherever You Find It!

Sun, Wine, and The Long Holiday Weekend

Sun shining, patio door wide open to the city skyline.  Nine pm and the start of the long, holiday weekend.  Summer in Ireland, and the living is good!  Can you spot the glass of wine?

Being A Good Person Is Not Always Easy, But It Is Relatively Straightforward

I've recently become addicted to a new blogger, Dan Pearce, who writes Single Dad Laughing.  His posts are often insightful, challenging, thought provoking and convicting.  And, always passionate. 

The comments by his readers even more so.  Having come across his 2010 post on childhood bullying, one of his commenters shared the following Holocaust quote that just really stuck with me. 

Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander. ― Yehuda Bauer

 It's that simple.

Yours Truly Lends Her Voiceover to World Food Programme PSA video

Myself and 9 other voiceover artists lent our voices to this PSA on behalf of VoiceOver East Africa's 2011-2012 campaign for the crisis in the Horn of Africa.

*Listen for me as the 3rd voice in!

A Good Laugh For A Monday

We're Number Two!

National Geographic lists Jamaica's national dish, Ackee and Saltfish (yum!) as number 2 on its Top Ten National Dishes list!  Second only to the U.S. hamburger, in their opinion.  I would venture to disagree! 

Beautiful Language

I just came across this list of the ten most beautiful words in the English language, as proposed by the writer, Wilfred J. Funk, in 1932.

Melody
Golden
Chimes
Luminous
Mist
Tranquil
Murmuring
Lullaby
Hush
Dawn

Just reading them out loud brings such a feeling of calm and peace.  One that I think is missing from the list though is "Grace".

What would be on your list?

My Mirror

Sister. She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child.
- Barbara Alpert