Jamaican Student Overseas

Around Jamaica in 14 days: Prologue

2014-05-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

Rafting on the Rio Grande

A lot of my friends - from all continents - have asked me about my country and I usually have no problem telling them of its grandeur and beauty... and I find myself only speaking of Ocho Rios (in the parish of St. Ann) and Montego Bay (in the parish of St. James). So, over the next few weeks, I will give you all a snapshot of my island home... parish-by-parish. This will include some history and pictures of places in whichever parish is being featured.

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean (10,991 km² or 4,244 sq mi) following Cuba and Hispaniola and is the largest English-Speaking island in the same region. There are 14 sections known as parishes and three counties (Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey). The parishes are from East to West as follows (circumferential):

Blue Mountain

St. Thomas, Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. James, Hanover, Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Mary, and Portland.

Jamaica is 66% mountainous with 22 major rivers, one dormant volcano (located in St. Thomas), and one major mountain range (the Blue Mountain Range) which spans from Portland to St. Andrew. Some points of Blue Mountain are visible from as far as St. Catherine, and it's highest point -Blue Mountain Peak - is 2, 256 m or 7, 400 ft high.

Frenchman's Cove

Outside of the obvious tourist spots, there are literally hundreds of other amazing, non-traditional hangouts that will prove to be either just as enjoyable or even more enjoyable than some of the traditional, common tourist spots on the island. During the next couple of blogs, I will take you on a parish-by-parish tour of my island home: from the rolling Blue Mountain Ranges, to Frenchman's Cove; from Port Royal to the Cockpit Country and Appleton Estate; from Rose Hall Estate with the Legend of the White Witch to Fern Gully! I will show you, my friends, the not-so popular beauty of the island! I'm definitely looking forward to sharing this with you!!

Physical map of Jamaica

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.
*** Pictures acquired from external sources

Happy Victoria Day!!!

2014-05-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

Westjet Hospitality

2014-05-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

I was looking forward to getting home. That's all. Board the plane, sleep and get home. My day started out horribly, with incidents involving expired mayonnaise and a stolen granola bar. So I sat down at the airport and waited for the boarding call.
My flights from Canada to Jamaica are usually booked with connections (call me cheap, but I have an unusually frugal student budget. Don't judge me!), but this flight was heading directly for Jamaica (for the right price!) and I wasn't sure how I would feel sitting down for five hours. I braced myself for expected delays and the usual humdrum of an uneventful flight.
To my surprise, and utter delight, I had to lift my head from the book I was engaged in when I heard that the boarding call was made... on time. I was truly flabbergasted! I was delighted! I disengaged myself from the book, ever so slowly (just to make sure it was real) and made my way to the aircraft. It was there, at the door, that I met Maureen. For the first time, in a very, very long time, I knew I was going to have a great flight. Since the flight wasn't full, I immediately asked to have my seats exchanged and my request was granted (another win, one does not want to get stuck in immigration in Jamaica; it's just too hot!!).

Ryan, Myself and Kari.

Flight WS2908 to Montego Bay, Jamaica had a team of three flight attendants: Kari, Maureen and Ryan. They were very courteous and delightful hosts who also showed a genuine interest in your needs. When they asked for my choice in beverage and I selected black tea with an unusual amount of sugar (don't judge me!), a delightful conversation ensued. It all began when I felt guilty for asking for that much sugar. Since I don't drink coffee, I get my energy rush from having sweets. So I turned and said, with my Jamaican accent: "I have to have sugar; it's my substitute for coffee..." Kari turned to me with a smile after picking up my accent and asked if I was Jamaican, I answered with a smile and a nod and the rest was history. They even returned to talk more about my Jamaican heritage and culture. They made a 5-hour flight feel like minutes.
This is astonishingly amazing. I have done quite a bit of traveling and I must admit: most flight attendants do the bare minimum and get through their flights. They go through safety procedures, they do their meal services (and do a little sales rep. work in between) and they go back to their station. Today proved to me that these flight attendants went beyond their service standard to make the flight a little less stressful.
I wasn't the only one they paid attention to; a pair of newlyweds were bumped up to first class and given the royal treatment, which I believe was very nice of the attendants. I didn't even finish watching the movie provided by their satellite TV service, as I was fully engaged with this wonderful team of flight attendants. This is my first flight with Westjet and it certainly will not be the last! I personally thanked them for their service and encouraged them to remain as wonderful as they were with me and other passengers on this flight.

Ryan, Myself (very tired, but happy) and Maureen

Oh! We also arrived in Jamaica 27 minutes before scheduled arrival!! So the entire crew, including pilots, was awesome!!

Thank you Kari, Maureen and Ryan and those awesome pilots (I forgot their names)! Thank you Westjet.

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Preston, you were right. Westjet is better than that other airline and I will continue to use their service.

Visit my couponing site @ www.universitysaversclub.ca

Earth Day: An Important Message

2014-04-22T07:15:00.003-07:00

As you all may have figured, a day like today has me feeling like a 6 year-old on Christmas Day; I feel like a teenager going on my first date; I feel like... you get the idea! HAPPY AWESOME EARTH DAY!!!
The earth is the place where we live, where we get our food, where we get to enjoy the wonderful pleasures of life, memories (good & bad), and best of all, it provides the right atmosphere for us to even breathe (the most essential part of our survival). However, so much has gone wrong - over-consumption, affluenza (living above one's means), waste, cosmetic/materialistic desires, and abuse of our space - and we each look for a scapegoat to blame for all that is happening.
I sat in a class recently with a professor that I have great admiration for and she asked a very important question: Is unplugging a phone charger enough (i.e. enough to save energy, etc)? Initially, I answered "yes" and tried to argue my point. We did some experiments to prove (or disprove) my hypothesis. Turns out, the phone charger uses so little energy that you'd save on average CAD $0.03 (<--- That's CENTS) per month for unplugging your charger. Wow, I thought. I was more disappointed than embarrassed for so passionately arguing my point.
So what can we do to sustain our planet? So many solutions exist, but most of them include a significant change in lifestyle. For example, limiting consumption of... well... everything, is a great start. Secondly, practice using resources sustainably (turn off lights, drink tap water instead of bottled water - the plastic often winds up where it shouldn't - and use a reusable mug/cup, etc).
Unfortunately, various forms of the technology we have use rare earth minerals that can only be found in ONE place on earth. Due to our consumption patterns, certain cell phones and TVs will increasingly become more desirable, thus depleting the resource. To make matters worse, some of these minerals are non-recyclable. So my suggestion is: Manage the use of your devices so you don't wind up with a new one every 6 months.
Finally, follow the 5 R's:
Refuse - Refuse to purchase harmful, unsustainable products;
Reduce -Reduce packaging and other wasteful materials in products;
Reuse - Reuse products and purchase items that are either returnable or recyclable;
Recycle - Recycle products (and bear in mind that fruit skins and compost is a great natural fertilizer);
Rethink - Rethink the way waste is dealt with and rethink the ways in which products are used.***
Happy Earth Day, Everyone! Celebrate your planet, celebrate your home! ~JGIC

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.
***Notes adapted from class activities, (Wiacek, A., 2014)
I do not own these photos. Photos acquired from external sources.

Jamaicans Don't Do Recipes; We Just Don't!

2014-04-16T13:09:00.001-07:00

I don't mean to brag... but, I can COOK!! Unfortunately, if I make something for you and you ask me for a "recipe," it's over!!
Jamaicans are known for using their "judgement" to prepare meals, and the spontaneity may be the reason why our dishes become World Class meals! I notice, too, that when I follow a recipe to the tee, the food doesn't appeal to me as much in most cases.
So, last Sunday, my roommate asked me for a "recipe" for curried chicken... life zoomed in on me at that point. I turned slowly to look at my roommate and whispered, softly but effectively: "I'm Jamaican, I don't know any." I eventually told her to grab a pot and let's see what we could discover.
In my special Jamaican way, this is what ensued:
1) Cut up the chicken small-small (Jamaicans tend to repeat specific words for emphasis e.g. fool-fool, jump-up, back-back, etc).
2) Cut up some onion and garlic
"How much?" she asked. I shrugged and told her about half an onion and 4 cloves of garlic.
3) Sprinkle likkle (little, a small amount of) salt on it, just make sure you can taste it when you're done seasoning the meat.
4) Cut up piece-a carrot and Irish potato and put it in the mixture.

"Jeez, Jodi! How much?" My roommate seemed annoyed. I turned to her with a smile and said, "You cooking for four? Use your judgement. How much carrot and potato can four people eat in di curry chicken?" We continued.
5) Add some curry... She looked at me, so I told her to start sprinkling and I would tell her when to stop. After about 15 seconds of sprinkling, I determined that it was enough.
6) I encouraged her to throw in a few herbs (thyme leaves, oregano) and black pepper to give it a little flavor and, of course, the cayenne pepper.
7) We added some coconut paste to the mixture and voila! Curry Chicken like a boss!!
The chicken actually came out very good and we had a few guests over to confirm this. We tend to be very good cooks, but I promise you, we learn to cook by watching our parents in the kitchen... "a likkle bit a dis and a likkle bit a dat!"
You know what I have discovered too, my friends? If you visit 10 homes in Jamaica that prepared curried chicken, I guarantee you will find 10 different authentic and delicious flavours of curry. I have never followed a recipe book that can give me the flavour my palette is used to, so... I will stick to my good ol' judgement and whip up whatever combination my "gut" tells me to go with; I usually get it just right!! If there are Jamaican recipes you guys are interested in, there are several of them available on the web, but the best way to get the most out of these dishes is to have a Jamaican prepare them for you! ~JGIC

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies Major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

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**Pictures acquired from Google. I do not own these photos!

Heights By Great Men (and Women)...

2014-03-13T12:58:00.003-07:00

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night. ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I recall as a little girl attending primary school, we had to get up every morning in class to repeat the verse quoted above by H. W. Longfellow. It was so annoying to perform this mundane task that we started to sound like a set of zombified (<- Yes, it's an actual word) robots in a chorus when we were asked to repeat it.
Recently, however, the quote came to mind when I was up studying in the wee hours of the morning. I sat and thought about what it meant and how it applies to what I was doing. My "height" has no definable boundary and so my aims get higher and higher with each passing day, and this quote serves as additonal motivation to do so.
During my first undergrad, I had a professor who thought it was okay to insult my efforts in writing. Since I'm a dramatic person, I never settle for mundane details. She approached me to tell me that my paper needed "some more work," even though she could hardly find anything to correct. I made so many visits and adjustments to that paper and she eventually gave me a C- for the class, as I just could not please her. Discouraging, right?
Well, I thought about it and continued to work on my writing. I wrote short stories, poems and other articles that have even been published in the newspaper. I never stopped trying. Eventually, I acquired this platform and have been utilizing the same skills she said I was "failing miserably" at. The point is, I never stop. I work consistently and only do so to make improvements to myself and my abilities.
I still have not reached my "height" yet. Actually, I think I'm just beginning to climb.
Each day, we are presented with circumstances that distract us from our desired path, but like the great men H. S. Longfellow was referring, the only way to attain our desired outcomes is to keep at it.
Repetition is good. I believe I carried that quote with me subconsciously through school, through work, through life. I can never settle for less than what is great! I always want something to be as best as I can possibly make it. So if it requires spending some extra hours working on that super difficult assignment, or getting up extra early to volunteer some time, I believe it is worth it. It helps to put my goals in perspective and makes them much easier to attain.

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

** I do not own these photos, they were acquired from an external source.

International Women’s Day

2014-03-08T14:43:00.001-08:00

Happy Women’s Day!

Women receive a day to be celebrated and honoured, and today I wish to highlight three women of colour who have made various contributions to help us move forward.

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth: Born into slavery, she was the first black female to win a case against a plantation owner in the court of law during the 19^th Century. The self-named activist believed in liberty and freedom and fought hard to achieve same for her people. Sojourner was also a women’s right pioneer as she not only fought for freedom, she actively fought for the rights of women – coloured or not – and delivered her speech “Ain’t I a Woman?” in 1851 to voice her discontent. She met two presidents (Lincoln and Grant) with whom she had discussions regarding the rights of her people. She was never afraid of repercussions, she faced her battles without fear and she managed to help get the ball rolling for women’s rights.

Mary Church Terrell

Mary Church Terrell: As one of the first women of colour to receive a Bachelor’s Degree, Mary decided to use her education, her knowledge and experiences as an individual on the margin of society to make her voice heard. Terrell grew up to witness how women, especially women of colour, suffered educationally, mentally, emotionally and physically. In an effort to prove she would not be forced to be at the edge of society, she studied different languages in Europe and became qualified enough to become the first coloured female to be on the District of Columbia Board of Education. She, along with her daughter, Phyllis, fought for over 50 years to veto the Jim Crow law that supported segregation. She lived long enough to see to its end in 1954 and died shortly after at the age of 90.

Ida B. Wells

Ida B. Wells: We have heard of Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on the bus; however, Ida B. Wells was the first to do so. During a train ride in 1884, the investigative journalist, author, educator and scholar refused to give up her seat. The events that followed started a chain reaction for the rights of coloured folks. She was a woman who noticed that something was wrong with the society and did her part by documenting the ills and publishing them to places far and wide; even as far as Europe. She was also the co-founder of the NAACP and has several publications citing the harsh realities she faced, not only as a coloured individual, but also as a woman.

Yes, while we celebrate Women’s Day and revel in all the joys of being a woman, we need to remember how hard it was to get here. From winning the right to vote to winning the right to work outside the home; from getting a place in parliament, to having the ability to run for president. As women, we need to show that our fight was worth it! Continue making a mark in this society. Become unforgettable CEOs that run companies with an iron fist and entrepreneurs that keep coming up with new and fresh ideas to keep our world running.

We are the mothers, teachers, nurses and nurturers of this society and that will never change!!

Happy Women’s Day to all my ladies around the world!!

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

***Disclaimer: I do not own any of the photos. Photos acquired from external sources.

Sources:

http://www.uni.edu/icss/143/fa06/profiles/terrellbio.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Terrell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_B._Wells

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sojourner_Truth

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ain%27t_I_a_Woman%3F

Self Motivation: An Acquired Skill

2014-03-05T14:18:00.001-08:00

Keeping your head above the water is a task and can be burdensome on the brain and on the body. As a Jamaican, I have learned to tell people "No Problem, man!" or "It's all good!" when sometimes its not. I notice that even on my darkest days, I still report that I'm fine. This has become so engrained in me that it has become a motivational strategy for me.
On my down days, I'll become frustrated with school and fed-up with one of the myriad of jobs I have. I'll cry, throw my assignments across the room and close my door - in hopes of closing out the world that has upset me so much. However, lately I notice that my recovery rate is increasing. I speak life into myself. A typical conversation on a "down day" with a friend or an acquaintance at school often leaves them feeling motivated as well. By speaking life into myself, I have developed the ability to speak life into others.
"You're so strong, Jodi!" says Marie* to me one day... "That's one of the things I love about you. You are always so happy, you get things done... and always with a smile!" It's not that I'm crazy, or in peppy cheerleader mode; it's because I'm self-motivated.
I remember 10 years ago when I just started teaching; I only went to work out of the love I had for my students which was in addition to the obligation I had to fulfill on their behalf: I had to teach them. I wasn't self-motivated. I was motivated by external factors, which drove me to dig deeper and find out what it was that drove me. There was no one speaking life into me; there were just obstacles everywhere and it made a typical job harder. After being in the classroom for 6 years, and having worked with over 500 students and their parents and the government, I have learned not to depend on external sources for motivation. I developed the ability to lock out negative energy, smile more, be upbeat (even without caffeine!), and think positive thoughts. It becomes a routine; it becomes a habit; it becomes...natural!
It has also become a habit to regularly set new goals. Each semester in school, I face a challenging course with plans to kick its butt (sometimes I only manage to lift my foot without ever being able to kick it, but hey! I came close enough! *Don't judge me!! ), or I go to work with plans to not let anyone ruin my day! While its not a foolproof method of motivating oneself, it works majority of the time for me.
So, surround yourself with positive thoughts. Yes, there are days you don't want to get out of bed. But think of this: "What keeps you going? What drives you?" After you've had a moment to think of that, get out of bed and start your day... on a positive note.

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies Major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

*Name changed for privacy.
***Disclaimer: I'm not a psychiatrist, nor a professional in this field; I speak from my heart, using personal experiences and anecdotes to accompany my blogs.
**Photos acquired from various external sources. I do not own them.

Bah Humbugs, Gingerbread Men and Mistletoes

2013-12-25T07:47:00.002-08:00

Today is Christmas Day and I'm happy to report that I'm here with my relatives in Jamaica celebrating a highly reggae-fied holiday (yes, I keep making up new words! Stay with me here!). So you must be wondering what's the purpose of the title. Well, Jamaican Christmases have a different flavour... literally! The way we celebrate is different, the pot roast beef is different, the roast chicken is different, the egg nog is different... you get the point.
Growing up, Christmas for me was never about a jolly, fat guy breaking into people's homes to spread good cheer, or stalking you to check if you've been naughty or nice (creepy! We had our mom to do that!). Instead, it was a holy time of togetherness, food, family and food (note that I said food twice). We were never a wealthy family, but my mother always made sure we decorated our house with hand-made construction-paper letters that said "Merry Christmas" and the pepper lights on the inside windows had a new design every year. The smell of pot-roast beef and coconut-peanut cookies permeated the house and even after having a heavy breakfast, we were still just anticipating the dinner with family and friends.

We had no conifer trees to trim with pretty fandangles (yes, it's an actual word) and we have no snow. We live almost 5000 miles from the geographic North Pole and so, Santa was furthest from our minds. But you know what? We were happy. We came together to celebrate the Yuletide season and we worked together as a family to make it happen. Never mind the gifts... we hardly ever got any; but it didn't matter.
My Bah Humbugs come from the highly commercialized, gift grabbing, how-expensive-is-the-gift-you-got-me-compared-to-what-I-bought-you-for-Christmas, elusive Santa-guy, oops-I-forgot-to-get-my-boss-a-gift, kind of affair and it is very sad. I have become deeply saddened because of how heavily advertised the holiday is as a marketing ploy, while removing entirely the actual reason for celebrating the season.
In the North, it's the smell of gingerbread men that come out to greet me and it makes my heart sad, as gingerbread men hold an entirely different meaning from the cookies in Jamaica. Mistletoes actually break my heart as they remind me that I am not at home. Christmas today is a remnant of what it was many years ago. But I am happy that I am now in Jamaica for the first time in years with the familiar smell of pot-roast beef, delicious Christmas cake (and whatever else we're looking after for dinner) and my family... my relatives and friends all here with me... and guess what? We have no gifts to exchange... we don't feel awkward or weird about it. We are here with each other and that is all that matters!!

So Merry Chrissmuss from Jamaica!! ~~Bah Humbugs~~ have been laid to rest this year as I celebrate the season surrounded by love!

Have a wonderful Christmas my readers and remember to celebrate with the reason for the season at the fore! ~JGIC

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

The Heart and Soul of A Nation: Tessanne Chin

2013-12-20T08:40:00.000-08:00

As a Jamaican, I have never really paid attention to mainstream Jamaican radio, simply because almost everything is about dancehall music or an announcement about some street dance; so I was oblivious to the soulful tones of The Voice champion Tessanne Chin.
The competition started while I was still in Canada and I was clueless as to what this "Voice" thing is, so I asked a few questions and someone told me it's like the X-Factor (yes, I live under a rock!). So, upon hearing that Tessanne Chin - a Jamaican - was entering the competition, I instantly became interested and investigated the times for the show. Unfortunately, I was blocked from the show in my area (don't judge me, I'm a student... I can't afford cable), so I had to rely on posts on Facebook and Dutty Berry for the hilarious weekly reviews.

Tessanne & Husband, Michael Cuffe

Every week, my roommates would hear me cheering for the songstress as week after week she delivered a powerful, emotional performance. I recall hearing her rendition of "Unconditional," and I had to buy it. I listened to the original version as well, and I believe she did that song justice. She was phenomenal!
The night of her victory reminded me of the Beijing Olympics. I was in Jamaica this time and yes, I was glued to my TV. When she was announced the winner of the competition, I could hear the distant clanging of dutch pot covers. Then I saw highlights of Half-Way-Tree square... blocked off... people were in the streets with all kinds of noise-makers and traffic was at a standstill as people celebrated in droves. Just as I thought it was over, I heard a single clanging in the community... a man... one man was walking around the block... clang...clang...clang... with his dutch pot and the cover in celebration of Tessanne's victory. I had to laugh a little, because it is at this time, that we feel the heart and soul of our country.
Another important thing that caught my attention is her humility. Tessanne is such a humble soul; her mannerism, demeanor and spirit combined are reminiscent of a true lady. Amidst the unnecessary criticisms, she still managed to remain humble, took them in stride and continued her work. She confessed about being scared, she spoke about her hopes and dreams, and the love she has for her husband can be seen at every turn. She's down to earth and isn't afraid to let her personality show, even in her interviews, which, I believe, is very admirable. Her beauty and personality radiate inside out and it flowed out into her singing which I believe helped her on this journey to victory.
So, thanks again Tessanne Chin (no disrespect to Mr. Cuffe) for placing Jamaica on the map yet again. Another halo has been added to our island home, thanks to you and your beautiful gift and I wish you all the best in your endeavours!

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

A Jamaican is a Jamaican is a Jamaican

2013-12-12T17:53:00.000-08:00

No matter where we go or how long we've lived there, there's one thing that is unique about us: our Jamaicanness (not sure if this is a word, but people make stuff up everyday!). I was in the airport in New Jersey recently and saw a wave of people occupying the chairs. As I bustled about looking for a seat to rest my weary body that has been up for over 16 hours (from traveling), I heard this:

"Yea man! Me tell him say me ago carry di ting fe him man! Why him a worry himself, cho? No man! No. Mi hinna New Jersey haypoat. Ya man! Yes man! Eeh-hee! Yes man..."

I walked by the man and had to laugh a little. Can't miss a Jamaican. A few minutes later, as I waited for the last connection, I saw two young women approach with a stroller. One had a full head of red (yes, red) braids and a single blonde braid in the midst, the other had a full head of blonde braids with a single red braid in the midst. Both wore loud red pants with bright yellow blouses and the baby was brightly dressed like the pair that was accompanying him. I held my head down and continued to read my book when one of them opened her mouth:

"Me can't believe a su much dem a chaawge fe one likkle cup a caw-fee! How dem so teef?"

I rolled my eyes in disbelief as they continued to banter over the high prices in the airport. I walked off to take a picture of the plane that will be taking me home (this has become a habit; maybe I'll use the collection to write a review someday) and made my way back to my seat. As my thoughts started to wander to the delicious jerk chicken and the hot beef patties that will soon be gracing my taste buds, the flight announcement was made.
They loaded the plane by zones and unfortunately for me, I was in zone 5 (the last zone). The Zones were labeled 1-5 so persons joined the lines according to what zone they were in. I was abhorred at how many JAMAICANS were asked to go back to the appropriate lines as they were not yet at that zone (some 5-zoners were in the 1-zone line). I was so embarrassed, as all 8 of the passengers they sent back were JAMAICANS (who decided to express their discontent at being sent back).
Now, as a proud Jamaican, I only wish my people would try to be obvious in a more positive light. We are considered to be one of the friendliest and coolest nationalities in the world, but we have a few oversights that must be taken into consideration. The need to be seen, to be hype, to be first is something that ought to be earned. It's not something that we can "take." When I speak, when I work, when I dress to go out, I represent my country so well that people are always... always willing to give Jamaica a try. They want to visit, they want to meet more Jamaicans, they want to know if all Jamaicans are just like me. Now, how will I be able to answer this question when so many of my people overdo their Jamaicanness? We have a rich cultural heritage that is unmatched throughout the world. We have our cool reggae music that draws people from all walks of life: black, white, rich and poor. We have the greatest athletes in the history of athletics and we have a welcoming, warm spirit. Let's focus on all of these and limit the ignorance we display in other places. Chances are, that single act of ignorance can change the way the world thinks of us! Come on people, let us aim for better, let us do better, let us be better!

Nuff love same way. I am your JGIC!

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Time Flies When...

2013-12-04T19:57:00.000-08:00

Was I missed? Well here is a run-down of my semester:
Coursework. Jobs. My Blogs. That is all.

My classmates and I

This was my semester. I had to make an appointment with myself to breathe! I often forget that I haven't had lunch yet (except on Mondays and Wednesdays!). Looking back, there were so many things that happened in the last 3 months that I was absent from my blog:

1) I was walking down the street and saw a gang of motorcyclists dressed up for Halloween.
2) I went to the store and almost gave the butcher a heart attack by asking for cow skin to make soup (apparently, he thought I meant the leathery part of the skin, not the soft portion under the skin).
3) I met a writer and poet in person... (my skin tingles when I hear deep, meaningful written pieces).
4) School was hard.

Tame Bird... I found it so strange! :)

5) I was insulted countless times about my essays and had to re-write them.
6) I'm now the owner of several wigs for my low-cut natural hair.
7) I learned that Canadian birds are different from Jamaican birds (they are sooooo tame, not scared of anyone).
8) I started having dreams that I was a superhero, only to discover I was only out to save my phone from utter destruction after it fell from my hands and almost smashed to pieces down the stairs (I skillfully caught it before it reached the floor).
9) I was awarded on three occasions for my academic performance (yay, me!).
10) School was hard (in case you missed #4).
11) I witnessed an old lady come in like a "Wrecking Ball" and it ruined my appetite for a few hours.

Bikers dressed up for Halloween

I met some wonderful people along the way. My classmates were wonderful and only made a difficult class seem more fun with their quirkiness and laughter. I learned the words "Floc" and "Flocculate" and I started a new blog called The Marine Planet. My semester would probably be a year in the life of an average person. But as you all know I'm NOT your average woman! There's always room for adventure and for learning something new. How cool is the word "flocculate" though?
The time came and went, and I am so happy that I can now pay attention to my awesome audience.
Some persons have requested that I sum up my semester for them since I haven't written in such a long time, so there you have it. Time surely flies when... you're under stress!! Look out for my Christmas blogs and my usual "Trip to Jamaica" blog. I missed you all and look forward to hearing from you all!

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

When One Door Closes...

2013-09-16T07:56:00.003-07:00

Life can serve up some horrible dishes: you receive an acceptance letter to attend school, but there's no money; you get a job, but there's no bus fare for the month. Why do these things happen? How do we overcome?
I recently applied for some jobs on my campus and received little to no response. Feeling dejected, I went back to my old workplace to ask if there were any openings and the new boss was very blunt in letting me know I wasn't needed and about two weeks later had a new employee in the organization. I felt even worse.
So, I decided I was going to be jobless for this school semester and proceeded to get mentally prepared for an uneventful school term. Then it happened...
The food company on campus called me back for work and even provided more hours; then I received an email inviting me to an interview to become a tutor and I received that job the next day! So I counted my blessings and re-arranged my schedule to accommodate my now two jobs.
Another week passed and a job that I was previously turned down for came up. This job is freelance, so I accepted it. I now have three jobs in the space of three weeks. The reason I'm talking about this is to show how the closure of one door can open up a building of opportunities that can improve our lives at a greater pace than the one thing that we had our hearts set upon.
Disappointments happen for a reason. Your character is shown in the face of disappointment. You will either learn from it and become a stronger individual or you can choose to be bummed out about it over a long period of time and remain a stagnant remnant of the society wallowing in grief and loss. Get up, get out there and reach for something. When that door slams in your face, take the initiative to seek something better.
My door closed twice and, while I was dejected at first, it has allowed me to walk into an entire room of fulfillment and led me to something I thoroughly enjoy!

"Disappointments will knock you down, but your true character is shown when you get up and leave the disappointments on the ground." ~JGIC

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies Major in Nova Scotia, Canada.
*** Images acquired from Google

University S.W.A.G. (Save While Attaining Goals)

2013-08-31T17:01:00.001-07:00

Ballin’ on a Budget

Yes, the title was stolen from here. In my previous blog, I explained how one can survive a semester in university and achieve great grades. Today, we’ll explore how one can survive on the generally frugal, tight, menial, limited budget of a university student.

No tax + coupons = Super Savings!!

Do you need this? That is the first step to spending money. Is the item something you need? If so, you should make an effort to get it. (This does not include the latest fashion, cell phone, tattoo or shoes).
Budget. It’s that simple. Draw up a plan and include all sources of income. List monthly needs first (bills, groceries, school supplies) and make that a permanent item on your budget. Pay your bills on time to avoid interest and late payment fees. This money is not to be touched for any other purpose. Then add your miscellaneous items and save the rest for a rainy day.
Coupons. If you have access to coupons, use them. In Atlantic Canada we have [some] tax-free weekends (Fri & Sat) and 10% Tuesdays (with student ID). I give these people a run for their buck when I pop in on a weekend with my coupons. This also helps you to stock up, so you don’t run out of much needed items every month. I’ve saved as much as

Coupons help a great deal!!

$63 on groceries before in one trip. This works!!
Sale days. You have clothes. You don’t need to shop every weekend. Wait for days that they have sales; hunt online for coupons of some of the stores and use the coupons on the sale days. Trust me, it’s worth it!!
Partying. Are you a party-goer? Sure you are! Include parties in your budget. That way, you won’t overspend and end up broke Monday morning.
Prepare lunches for school (learn to cook, too!). I know. It sounds tedious… inconvenient even. But picture this: A meal cost on average 7-10 bucks. If you’re at school all day, you may need to eat twice. That’s 20 bucks. You could purchase bread, some deli meat, chicken, pasta and some orange juice with that $20. You could make at least 3 days’ meal with the items listed (you gotta get creative)!

Stock up for that rainy day!!
Purchase course materials online. Books are cheaper online. It’s as simple as that. Do you need a new book (only to get that “new book” smell)? Consider purchasing a used book from a large distributer or your local online book store. It works out cheaper in my case and I’m able to resell the material at a matched price (WIN!!!).

For my readers in Jamaica who do not benefit from coupons or sale days, I would recommend using the wholesales. Same items; less money. Shop around. Find different stores and compare prices. Oftentimes, brand name stores cost more than the local grocer.

I have saved a lot in the past school year, and with these simple tips, I’m sure you can too!

Have a great, successful (and frugal) school year JGIC fans!!

“Having money when needed is a balm to the mind.” ~JGIC

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Setting Realistic Educational Goals

2013-08-25T10:25:00.000-07:00

I have been a student all my life and passed through one of the most gruelling education systems known to me. I have also been an educator in one of the most gruelling education systems; so in this blog, I will use my combined experience as an educator and the educated to assist you, my readers in high school or university, in setting realistic educational goals.

1. Do not procrastinate: Once you have received your assignment, begin working on it the SAME DAY. Gather the information for your Bibliography and work on formulating your thesis.

2. Get home work “Post-Its:” Gone are the days when people use “Home-Work” books. Grab some colour-coded Post-Its and label your assignments by urgency. As soon as you complete that assignment, you can remove that post it from your wall. This also helps you to actually SEE your assignments on your wall – sort of like a daily reminder.

2b. Use colour-coded folders: I often use red for the course I hate most (Yes, we end up with one course we hate every semester). Use the folders to safely store your hand-outs, work-sheets and past test papers for easy retrieval during your exam period.

3. Volunteer/Join Societies: This is very important. You are able to gain hands-on experience and form useful networks. Societies relevant to your course of study also help in gaining useful experience with relevant organizations.

4. Eat: It’s as simple as that. Try to remain healthy by eating. Do not become so pressured that you neglect your health and end up doing poorly in school. An empty stomach leads to an empty mind.

5. Stay organized: Use your Post-Its, folders and notes to stay organized. Date your work for easy location and keep your notes/folders in one easy to find location.

6. Make sure your professors know you: This is key. A student who shows interest by contacting the professor for clarification often ends up in the professor’s good book. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the professor before or after class (even if they seem evil/mean/intimidating).

7. Have a goal in mind: What grades would you like to achieve this year? I’m sure the answer is in the “A” range. This, however, takes work. Set your goals and find your niche. If you study alone, do it often. If you study in groups (I find this is a time-waster), make appointments early and get it done.

8. Do not compare yourself to others: If you see someone doing well and you don’t seem to be meeting your goals, take it easy. You may need to re-evaluate what you are doing and make changes to your plans. Find what works for you and stay focused.

9. All things in moderation: If you are a party-goer, do so in moderation. No sense paying money for school only to get mediocre grades and scrape through with a minimal pass.

10. Stay focused/Dream big: With school life comes part-time jobs (some that really suck), boy/girlfriends, and a tight schedule. Try to keep a level head and keep your dreams alive. Focus on your dreams and what you hope to achieve, and keep that at the forefront of your mind. Try to have some fun in between, too; the years in school will come and go quickly.

Education is a priceless gift to be treasured by those who have the privilege of obtaining it. ~JGIC

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

**** Photos obtained from Google

What Jamaicans think about Foreign/Foreigners

2013-08-22T17:06:00.001-07:00

So I went home recently and was classified as a “foreigner.”

Jamaican Definition: Farina: Smaddy who go a foreign fe more than 6 days.

Translation: Foreigner: One who leaves Jamaica (to go anywhere) in an aircraft for more than 6 days.

As a foreigner, this means I am expected to take home lots of goodies for my people back home, have lots of money to spend and visit everybody I’ve known since childhood. So as usual, my dilemma was pre-destined before even setting foot outside of Canada. For one, I’m a student and flat broke and secondly, ain’t nobody got time for driving down all of Jamaica looking for everybody. So I went home and made a few observations. This is not one of my blogs to laugh about, just something to think about.

This is: What Jamaicans think about foreign/foreigners: (Video Soon)

Beg yuh a money nuh?/There is money everywhere: No, unlike Jamaica, if you miss a day of work, you miss a day’s pay which can affect your entire budget.
Carry one Galaxy S100 fe me nuh!/You can always take home a cell phone: Contrary to popular belief, cell phones here aren’t cheap. You need a plan in order to get them cheap/free. Plans are costly. So no, I can’t bring a cell phone.
Yow, Missa Chin!!/ Every Asian is known as Mr./Ms. Chin: This is one of the most hilarious things ever!Once you look Asian, you're now known as Mr./Ms. Chin.
Carry suppen fe me nuh!/ You must be able to take something home: This ties in with #1. No. Without money, we can’t buy anything.
Yuh nah sen a barrel?/ It’s Christmas; barrel time is imminent: With my student’s salary, it would take me approximately three years to pack and send the smallest barrel on the market. No.
Gimme dat nuh!/ Give me whatever you are wearing, you can afford another. So, you want me to walk around bare-butt, bare-back and barefoot because I can afford to get clothes/shoes cheap overseas? So what do I wear for the remainder of the time I’m home? Important questions.
Carry two bakkle a cologne fe me/Bring some perfume please. Well, the airlines have started to charge for bags, so the colognes might be cheap, but to check that bag might cost more than the cologne itself. Highly unlikely.
Carry two name-brand shirt fe me/Bring some brand name clothing home, will you? What is considered brand name is often everyday wear for people overseas. So, that is often just plain irrelevant.

So my foreigner status obviously needs to be revoked. I’m still a bruck-pocket hustler trying to survive in a country unknown to me. I go to school, I do darn well at it and I miss home. I miss the good cooking, the fish and festival/bammy. And yes, our food is superior! Bursting with flavour and goodness. I don't get that luxury here; and I’d like to enjoy my visit without feeling guilty that I didn’t remember to take something for someone. It’s not as easy as you perceive it to be. The dollar is stronger, yes, but harder to work for and even harder to come by without a job.

Much love same way. ~JGIC

Comment with anything you'd like to add to this list. Video in the works!!

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies Major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

***Images acquired from Google

The Spirit of a Nation

2013-08-19T12:08:00.002-07:00

Did you guys miss me? Please allow me to explain:

I was home recently… just in time for the IAAF track meet in Moscow. Can I tell you that everyone’s TV everywhere was locked on the event? I went to the local bank to handle some business; I noticed a massive crowd and rolled my eyes in anticipation for the long wait. Turns out the patrons AND the tellers were watching the event. Luckily for me, I was able to sneak in front of all those people to one of the tellers and was in and out in less than ten minutes.

Come on… I’m sure you would have done the same thing.

On the day Jamaica fought for the silver in the men’s 4x400m event in Moscow, I was in the supermarket. Again, this was the exact moment the event was being executed. Unfortunately, everyone was so transfixed on the event that I couldn’t get to squeeze past anyone to get to the front. Even the store managers were busy beating the life out of the counter top… as if sending their cheers through the television screen to the athletes. The anchor pushed from 5^th place at the 100m line to 2^nd place and held his position to the very end. As a result, counter tops, plastic bags, grocery carts and any object that can be pounded or pushed made a rhythmical TAP TAP TAP in celebration of the men’s heroic feat. Ok, I’ll admit… I was kinda celebrating too, but it was pretty generic compared to the screams and shouts from the crowd in the store.

Our spirit… our tradition of celebrating every little thing is one thing the world knows about us! Bronze? No problem, we ago celebrate same way! Silver? No worries, man. We gonna rejoice and make ourselves heard. Gold? Well… this is where everybody can identify us as Jamaicans: We ago lick the pot-covers together like cymbals, scream, block traffic and end up hoarse the next day! We have a spirit of rejoicing! I heard a patron in the supermarket comment that this is the only time that everything stops in Jamaica and I proved her to be correct. Our spirit overflowed into our athletes and we celebrate them with every fibre of our DNA. Well done team Jamaica! You have made us proud!!

Likkle but we Tallawah! Jamaica: To di Worl'!!!

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.
** Images acquired from Google, Usain Bolt's Facebook page and "I am a Jamaican" on Facebook

Foreigners' Thoughts of Jamaicans (Video)

2013-07-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Misconceptions Foreigners Have of Jamaicans

2013-07-24T13:29:00.002-07:00

I am someone who puts humour to almost everything… almost. Oftentimes, people make fun of several things about me and I usually laugh it off. But after living in the US and Canada for some time, I came across some hilarious misconceptions and some stereotypes that foreigners have of Jamaicans. I’ll start from 10 and work my way to number 1. These are a few of the things that I find a little funny.

Please note: these are all based on my personal experiences.

Yes, we have cars in Jamaica! (Pun intended!)

1. Do they have, like, cars in Jamaica? Yes, I know the ridiculousness of the question. On an exchange program in the US, I had two American young ladies approach me just to ask that question. I went along (thinking it was a joke) and told them “No, we don’t have cars. The island is small enough to walk just about anywhere you need to go.” I realized soon after that they were, in fact, serious.

2. You’re Jamaican? You don’t sound Jamaican. Apparently, some people do not think we speak Standard English. Unfortunately, my dialect only comes out when I’m among friends. Outside of that, I use Standard Jamaican English. Sorry to disappoint!! J

3. Your Bomb*cl@@t, LOL! I don’t know if some people believe that the phrase is a greeting, but I’ve had people who, upon discovering that I’m Jamaican, started using the phrase with me like a special greeting.

4. How come you don’t smoke weed? Now, now. That one! THAT… is the most ridiculous one yet. Uh, does EVERY Jamaican smoke marijuana? I’ve had this question 4 out of 10 times I meet someone new that discovers I’m Jamaican.

5. Wow! No dreadlocks? Ok, so… awkward. Is that one of the identifying marks of a Jamaican? Dreadlocks usually represent a practising religious group in Jamaica. Outside of that, people who wear dreadlocks have them groomed; often called “Fashion Locks/Dreads.”

6. Show me some dance moves!! Yea… I have had to refuse on several occasions. I would embarrass myself and the beloved dancers of Jamaica with my poor movements. Nay, not every Jamaican is a dancer!

7. It must be fun living on the beach!! If you look closely at a map of Jamaica, you will see that the inner part of the island is, in fact, quite a distance from the beach.

8. Have you met Bob Marley? Again, Jamaica is not that small. While there is the possibility that I might have, we need to bear in mind that Jamaica’s population, even in the time of Bob Marley’s life, exceeded 2 million. He also passed away long before I was born.

9. Oh my gosh! Your English is perfect! Ok, this integrates with #2. People are not even aware that I am a Jamaican unless I say so. My accent is only used among Caribbean folk and friends. Outside of that, the preferred language is English (or Spanish, based on the crowd).

10. Do you listen to anything but Bob Marley and Reggae? A few years ago, I was in the US and this question came up. So I responded that I listen to all genres; in fact, I told her that my favourite is Motown R&B. I don’t know if she heard “My favourite might be Bob Marley” because everyday since then, the young lady played the same Bob Marley CD every morning on the way to work. ~JGIC

Can you think of any other stereotypes? Comment below.

*Side Note: Jamaica is ranked third as one of the coolest nationalities in the world.

Source: http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/life/12-coolest-nationalities-earth-050844

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies Major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Follow on Twitter @JamGirlInCanada

Like the page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamaicanGirlInCanada?ref=hl

Questions or comments? Email: jokay2112@gmail.com

*Photos acquired from Google.

The Abbreviated Truth

2013-07-21T16:33:00.001-07:00

Hv u evr noticd hw som ppl send txt msgs l8ly? I lol’ed many times wen I read som of the nonsense in the msgs. Ur gonna laugh wen u c som of the things I’v seen. Am sure ur gonna av a gud time readn this.

Yes, this is our generation of grammar. It has overflowed to our children. I was scrolling through my Facebook page when I saw a few posts. Some of the posts were in an unknown hieroglyphic that I had to decode. I had so much difficulty reading some of them that I got a headache attempting to understand the ridiculousness of some of the posts. People have gotten so used to writing “ur” that they do not know the difference between “your” and “you’re.” Oftentimes I see persons replying “Your Welcome” on a post, so my question is: What went wrong?

The abbreviated truth?

Laziness.

Our computers and phones are equipped with “auto-complete” so the generation after me has no use for the grammar that will aid them in reading and writing… the electronics do it for them. So when reading essays and some e-mails, especially in the capacity of teacher, I get a monumental headache trying to decode. I don’t believe there is a way to stop the epidemic but I would urge parents and teachers alike to help their children to understand that practice makes perfect. If you practice bad grammar, then sadly, everything you type and write will be done, sub-consciously, with improper grammar. I am guilty of texting this way sometimes, but then, if texting a superior, I have to double check to see if I misspelled a word or if my sentence is properly constructed. Sometimes it’s funny to see how people try to sound as professional as possible and in the midst of the letter or text, you find the letter “u” or “ur” representing the words “you” and “your/you’re.”

My suggestion? Spend a little extra time when composing posts for the public eye. Chances are there’s someone out there who will see your error and laugh at your mistake rather than correct you. That’s their way of saying they’re there for you! Kinda hypocritical don’t you think?

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Follow on twitter: @JamGirlInCanada

Like the page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamaicanGirlInCanada?ref=hl

Email: jokay2112@gmail.com

How Do You Measure Excellence?

2013-07-14T12:36:00.001-07:00

FOR MY NIECE:

As is for any job, training, education and knowledge of the field are all required. So, what’s the big deal about someone’s GPA and how well he/she performed in high school? How about a young man or young lady that can turn a cabbage into a masterfully created culinary work of art; or that student who likes to express his/her feelings through graffiti at the back of his/her books? They deserve a chance, too!! Too often we find that these children are ridiculed by the very people who should be aiding in their development. How many of the greatest entrepreneurs and famous individuals in the arts were scholars? Not many, I’m sure. So why do we place so much emphasis on book smarts?

I’m very happy to say I’m holistically developed and managed to cultivate a similar tradition in the students I taught. I taught for a number of years, and on occasion I might end up with a child that blows your mind with his/her brilliance. On the other hand, I might end up with a child that no one else wants to deal with: the non-reader; the one who can never grasp math (no matter how basic); the one who does absolutely nothing; and the wailer (the one who bawls crocodile tears at any inkling of being given a book). So what am I to do? Am I to make these special children feel out of place and mock their inability to master a book? Am I to make them feel small for being unable to get above 90%?

I did what teachers are supposed to do: I tapped into their special skill, or anything that they love (from Dora to Spiderman; from drawing to poetry) and I honed their reading abilities through art… expression! Did they get 100%? No, but a talent may be discovered in the process; a self-esteem may be built… you never know. Don’t let your children feel less of a human being because their GPA is not what you want it to be. Chances are, your child may be the next Pablo Picasso, Bill Gates, or Mark Zuckerberg. You never know… give children a chance.

My niece recently won several awards in the culinary and visual arts competitions in Jamaica. If she never gets a chance to achieve a high GPA, I know she is gifted in other areas that she will surely be successful in!

Congratulations my big girl, Janel! Way to go!!! I love you and I want you to keep working hard at your dreams! You have continued a tradition of excellence and I am very proud of you!

"Excellence may be disguised; but excellence is excellence no matter the form it takes!" ~JGIC

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Drama Kings and Queens of the World

2013-07-12T10:22:00.001-07:00

Did you happen to trip over a minute stump in your path and recovered quickly thinking that no one saw you? If this happened in Jamaica, be guaranteed someone… somebody… would have seen what happened and the story would come back like this:

“Hey, you see that hot girl/man ova there… [points in direction], she a walk and act like she hot, zeen? And she just trip over [some non-existent object], and roll go ‘bout 10 miles down de road. I laugh ‘til I weak man!”

I’m a story-teller. Its in my veins, I just can’t help it. So bringing that gift with me to Canada was no problem. I made many great friends and had a lot of fun retelling some instances that have occurred in my life. I do my best to emulate late great The Hon. Dr. Louise Bennett-Coverley, who to this day, is one of Jamaica's greatest story-tellers, poets and play writes. So you find that drama, fun, and humour runs in my veins and that of most Jamaicans alike and we love to spread the joy each chance we get.

So, I recently came across a video news article about some people in Jamaica who were flooded out due to some error on the contractor’s part, I had no idea what I was about to see. This woman took the cake. Her account of the situation was hilarious!

Now, I did not find the circumstances the least bit funny; but the woman who was being interviewed had me rolling. I just couldn’t help it. The interviewer held the microphone down, and she bobbed her head down to the level of the microphone to continue giving her story. The interviewer moved the microphone up, and she bobbed her way up to the microphone level again to get her story out.

See the story for yourself in the video below.

Comments welcome! What do you think?

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

See the "remix" below:

Actors with Fake “Jamaican” Accents

2013-07-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

My brother and I have two completely different views of life, but share the same quirky sense of humour. We watched the movie “Tower Heist” starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy and Gabourey Sidibe. While we laughed our socks off, things got serious when my brother noticed that our Jamaican accent was being abused, and he only recognized this after Gabourey Sidibe (as Odessa) used one of Jamaica’s original curse words ( -->Insert Jamaican “B” word here <--) then pushed the trolley towards the guard in an effort to knock him out. She ended the scene by saying (in her best Jamaican): “You shoulda try di cake, man.” Now, I have nothing against Hollywood in their efforts to create movies, but why not use actual Jamaicans to play the part of… well… a Jamaican?

Jamaica is overflowing with talent in many areas within the performing arts, so I fail to understand why they don’t audition actual Jamaicans for Jamaican roles. This brings me to Taye Diggs (Lawd, he was hot in that movie!) in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” with that very, very heavily butchered Jamaican accent. That movie was so big, but I had a friend of mine asking if Taye Diggs was Jamaican. Nothing against him, but I gave her a resounding “NO” in response to her question. I had to start speaking in Jamaican in order for her to see the difference in the accents. It didn’t take long for her to recognize that his accent was indeed fake.

I see that the Jamaican accent is often used for fun and frolic in order to heighten the humour in some movies/commercials. During the earlier part of this year, the VW ad displaying a Caucasian with a Jamaican accent had us laughing our socks off (by us, I mean mainstream Jamaicans). The actor was simply used to portray the stereotype that Jamaicans are laid back, relaxed and happy. Obviously, the gentleman in the advertisement had a great time in Jamaica - maybe on his vacation - and sought to share his wealth of new-found, tropical cheerfulness with his co-workers. I’m fine with that.

My issue lies with creating an entire movie, with “Jamaican” characters that are neither Jamaican nor are of Jamaican descent, but they are passed off as Jamaicans. What about people who are curious about Jamaicans and their dialect? Exposure to the butchered, fake, poorly presented Jamaican dialect simply won’t do. Quite inadequate and awkward, if you ask me. I’m beginning to wonder if these people are making fun of our accent or they just simply cannot be bothered scouting for original talent. I love my dialect, and I enjoy the fact that people try to emulate us in every possible way, but I have a problem when we are portrayed in the wrong light (accent and all) in mainstream media outlets.

I have one thing to say: “If yuh want Jamaican accent, use artical, original Jamaican fe do di ting! Real talk, yuh zeet?”

Get your act together Hollywood (Get it? Act? Hollywood?). ~JGIC

I would like your opinion on the skit below (Please excuse the constant use of the Jamaican "B" word, thanks). I found it quite hilarious. Please note: the actress is British. Kindly leave your comments about the actress and the “translator” in the comment section below. Thank you.

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Happy Canada Day!!!

2013-07-01T19:59:00.003-07:00

146 years of total awesomeness! Happy Canada Day my Canadian fans and friends!!! Today, we went to the Halifax Seaport/Waterfront to celebrate. The day was filled with red and white clothing, Mohawks and even puppy sweaters! This is the first chance I’ve had to celebrate Canada Day, and while this country is not independent, the citizens are proud of their strong history. The frontier was explored 146 years ago, and has continued to grow since.

Oh Canada, a proud nation of people who believe in themselves and celebrate their liberty every chance they get!!!! I’m happy to be in Canada and even happier that I’m able to celebrate this wonderful occasion with some of my friends from around the world!!

Nuff Love, Eh? ~JGIC

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

BET Awards: Jamaican Segment

2013-07-01T10:07:00.001-07:00

I am not a fan of mainstream dancehall, so when someone sent me the video of the Reggae/Dancehall segment of the BET Awards, I was taken aback by the gesture. I was thinking, “She knows I don’t listen to dancehall, so what the hell…?” I clicked play and watched the 4-minute clip, and within the first minute, my jaw dropped. I was in awe. They had a dancehall setting fully replicated, outfits and all, complete with the feel-good older dancehall music that I’m used to hearing.

Beenie Man’s "Zim Zimma (Who’s Got the Keys to ma Bimma?)" was very popular and got the crowd moving. Beenie Man’s croak at the beginning (2:05-2:15) was quite hilarious, but he recovered quickly and continued with his famous selection. Then the “Energy God,” the man known for putting some popular dance moves on the front scene, entered from the middle of the crowd onto the stage with his popular “Pon Di River” dance. Elephant Man was a genius when he created that dance move. It was so simple, that even I mastered the craft of doing the “Pon Di River.” To top it off, Elephant Man and Beenie Man “Go Dung the Flank” together near the end of the segment. We saw the likes of Gabriel Union moving to the beats and even following along with some of the songs.

I couldn’t help but notice that Nicki Minaj was all over the dance floor trying to emulate all the moves; she was a little awkward in her movements, however, as her dress was a little bit tight. It was great seeing Jamaica on the scene again in a positive light, symbolizing unity between generations of people. The older folks, I’m sure are familiar with Chaka Demus and Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote” and Dawn Penn’s “No No No (You Don’t Love Me).”

The four-minute segment was really enjoyable and it’s at this time especially that I love to express that I AM PROUD TO BE JAMAICAN!

“When di music hit, yuh haffi move!”~JGIC

Translation: “When the music hits, you just have to move!”

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.


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