What's The Plan

This is something I have been struggling with for many years - what do you want to be when you grow up? True some would say I am already grown, but I don't feel like it.

I was reading Steve Harvey's book "Act Like A Lady - Think Like A Man" and in the book he says there are 5 questions a woman should ask a man to know if he's a keeper or if she should grab her purse and run. The first question is where do you see yourself in 5 years (i.e. what are your short term goals)? True I was reading the book to understand how to interact with males and get one to be mine - mwhahaha!! But the book made me question myself as well. I mean how terrible would it be for me to sit grilling a guy about where he wants to be in 5 or 10 years time and I have no idea where I want to be?! He'll get the red flag and head straight for the door.

Another minor event happened to encourage the thought process on what my short and long term goals are. My friend Bee and I were having a conversation about work and we discussed where I currently work and how much I make. I don't make minimum wage - and that is a blessing. Anything about $11 is wonderful in my mind, if you get enough hours. Anyway, in the conversation Bee says she can't wait to be making $30/hr or more. The gong went off in my mind. I had never thought about making so much money despite what job I thought I would be doing. Another part of Steve's book came to mind. I'm not going to quote what part, go read it for yourself and figure it out. But on a serious note, it was another part of the book that could have been applied to myself. What am I worth? How much do I think I should be making in my desired job? This I think helps to hone in on exactly what you want to do, how you want to do it and how much you want to get for your hard work.

So of course, I sat with my pen and paper (diary in this case) and thought long, deep and hard about what I want to do, where I see myself and how long it's going to take me. Two weeks ago, if you asked me what is my dream job I would tell you I want to be an Environmental Educator and that's it. Today I am able to sift through that fluff of a title and break it down further, pin pointing exactly what I want to do.

I want to be something similar to a curriculum officer but not on the Ministry of Education side. I want to work with businesses and organisations such as a water company, energy company, landfill, etc. in connection with schools, youth groups, churches, community organisations to develop programming/activities/curriculum for the businesses and organisations that I work with to get their environmentally friendly message out there and into the community. For example, let's say I work with a water company and the country, city, whatever (depending on where I am in the world) celebrates October as the month of Water, I would create a month long programme of activities that would help persons know more about the water in the community, how to use water efficiently, how the water gets from the source to the user. The same would apply if I worked for a recycling plant and the month of June was recycling month. A month long series of activities would be created not only for students (although focusing more on the youth) to get persons involved and aware of what really happens when we recycle, don't recycle properly, what to look for in materials before buying them, etc. The title I want is Community Environmental Outreach Manager.

So that is my long term goal. I'm still working on fine tuning the short term goals to help me get that direction. That will be another post possibly.

What are some of your short and long term goals? Feel free to share with me in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!
-V

What's I'm Reading Now

I have a lovely tab here that is for the book(s) I have read and am reading. Knowing all along that I did not read enough I challenged myself to read more. To add a bit of accountability I decided to add the tab on the blog so I (and others) can see my progress. I haven't gotten very far in expanding my list, but I'm honestly fine with that. I'm still reading though.

I started the challenge by reading on the bus to and from school. It's about a 10 minute bus ride and once I on the bus (and had a seat because goodness knows attempting to hold a book, read and keep my balance was not going to end well) I whipped out my book and read for the 10 minutes. If I traveled twice in the day then that was 20 minutes of reading. If I traveled more then that was more reading for me. I found that when I got to the interesting parts of the book I would read and walk or even read before bed. Now that I take the bus for 40 minutes twice a day I get a lot more reading done and I'm quite happy with that. It's become such a habit that I finished the last book I was reading and the next day I got another one to read. My hands felt very idle and I felt bored on the bus even with my cell phone and my mp3 player.

The book I am now reading I chose from my housemate simply because it had not cover. Just a black hardcover book sat in the pile. I read the side of the book to see the title and said hmmm okay let's do it. I'm now realising that not having a sleeve or cover keeps me reading this one because I have no clue as to what the book is about. I'm expecting a plot of murder and mystery and thus far it's not proving to be that. I have no idea which direction the book is going to go in. And as I've gotten so far without looking up the book I don't want to spoil it by searching for reviews of it. Next time I surely will choose one with a sleeve.

If you're able to stomach it I would recommend reading on the bus or in a vehicle while traveling especially if you travel daily. If you're not able to stomach it I would recommend 10 minutes before bed every night or during lunch or after dinner. Set aside just 10 minutes and you can use an timer to time yourself if you're that busy and just read. Indulge and become engrossed in a book of your choice. 

Lessen The Load

Are you like me with a million and one scarps of paper including newspapers or magazines with interesting articles? Are they taking up too much space in your room, apartment or house? Do you feel like if you continue on this path you may become a hoarder?

If you answered YES to any of these questions here's a little tip for you: try scanning. If you've read an article that you've decided to keep and think it can be useful in the future, instead of keeping the paper, scan the document and then recycle the paper. You will have a copy of it without requiring a significant amount of space.

I'm spending my Sunday scanning a number of documents including past assignments and career articles. Once I'm done I shall easily toss the paper into the recycling bin (orrrr if I were craftier I would use them to make something cool!! But who am I kidding...they will stay there for another 5 years before I do anything with them).

S. M. H.

Disclaimer: I support no party, no politician, nada! I've never voted, don't know what which party is saying in their manifesto, nothing. I just have a little bit of sense in my head.

A friend of mine shared with me a statement someone posted on Facebook. The quote basically said "Look at the Prime Minister wasting tax payers money to go to The Olympics."

Am I the only one who finds fault in this statement? How ridiculous can some people be?! Maybe I am too educated and too aware because I KNOW sportsmen and women for YEARS have been crying and begging for support from the various governments. Am I mistaken in thinking that the presence of the Prime Minister, who is the primary representative figure of the country is a good thing and shows that we, Saint Lucians, collectively are supporting our sportsmen and women?

I think the Prime Minister responds to statements like these very well...



Furthermore, I would like to touch on persons who have and will make comments such as "Look we gone and waste money going to The Olympics and we eh win anything," or "I eh know why they waste their time going when they know they not going to win anything anyways." Well surely with such amazing support from their fellow countrymen and women they can achieve it all, right?

I think it is high time Saint Lucians got real. We want to sit back at our homes and complain about these 4 people who have worked so hard to even be eligible to participate in the games because they didn't place. Maybe if we supported our athletes more at home they will feel the love and that love would propel them to those great heights. Too many of us are waiting for them to get there to praise and support them. And because they fall short of that gold medal, we bring them down. But if we continue to push them down how are they suppose to fly and reach great heights? I mean seriously think about it...would you want to represent a country that didn't support you win or lose? Would you want to represent a country that didn't understand yes you didn't make it to the finals, but you did achieve a personal best, and from that personal best you can continue working and pushing yourself until you get to that gold medal? We need to spend more time being positive members of society instead of being cynical about everything. Stop sitting back and complaining. Get off your butt and go support the athletes, go support the youth initiatives, go support the arts, the intellectuals wholeheartedly. Go support Saint Lucia. It's high time Saint Lucians stop being crabs in a barrel.


-V

Drift With The Melody

I simply adore Miguel's voice and his music. I am yet to see him perform live in the flesh; I have seen him perform live online and it was amazing. Took my breathe away. This song just touches my soul every single time.

Miguel. Girl With The Tattoo

From Scratch

As time passes in any relationship it is easy for things to be routine. Even in simple friendships do things become routine. With routines come the perpetuation of bad habits. Quite often the bad habits become the focus of the relationship for both parties involved. For many marriages this is the point where spouses call it quits. Be it after 1 year of 27 years, they just can't do it anymore and call it quits.

Now I'm not marriage counselor...heck I can't even get a boyfriend but given my interactions with friends and loved ones I think when things become routine and you find yourself dwelling on those negatives stop and think. Think back to what attracted you to the other. Find a way get back to that beginning stage of exploration. Some people are going to say "But I know all there is to know about my spouse (or friend)." I hate to break it to you but people change. If your memory is a lot better than mine ask old questions and see if the answer changes. Try new things together, try old things together. Try to bring that fire back.

If after all of that you realise that it's just not going to work out at least you know you gave it your all. If it does work out then you've gotten a new leaf on life.

My two cents.

-The Empress

Do You Know Justin Case?

It's not often that I circulate other posts from other blogs or websites but this one was a must.

Do You Know Justin Case? I'm sure you're probably wondering who is Justin Case...read and you will find out.

Excellent job by The YnP writer Ashni Ramsammy.


-The Empress

Forgiveness

Most of us have done things we're not proud of in our lives. Some of us have had a hard time dealing with our sins, but eventually we come to terms with our error and forgive ourselves. There will always be those people that try to hold things over your head. They never forget the time you did this, or said that. They never want to see you pick up the pieces of your life, lick your wounds and heal.

If you have found the strength to forgive yourself for your sins, why should you let the opinions of others determine whether you heal or not? God will judge me accordingly. I don't need your judgement as well. Keep it to yourself. Let me move on with my life and make myself a better person. I would want the same for you as well.

-The Empress

My Inspiration. My All

I have had this poem chilling for quite some time. I've felt like I never finished it and really wanted to, but I'm beginning to wonder if I ever will. I've decided to share it with you and let you know that I have no plans to complete it. It shall remain incomplete.

Silence; seated; awe.

Just listen to the majesty.
Who cares for the fountain of youth when
this fountain flows with truth
and hides not behind lies of tainted windows and politrix and common myths.
So brilliant and radiant are the droplets that escape its source
and blessed I am
I am considered blessed to touch,
not even taste,
this water so true.
How can you deny this fountain to be majestic and amazing?
This fountain spits fire and ice,
warmed water from it's core
trickles down like none other,
touches me sensually, metaphysically,
socially and emotionally
so much so that I want more.

Thanks for reading!

-Black Hippie 758

Strength. Courage. Wisdom

A fitting song for the morning. My reminder of the woman I want to be - one that is strong, courageous and wise - learning not only from my mistakes but from those of others. Today I have decided to be that woman that everyone sees in me. I have decided to open up my heart and be anything that I want to be. Nothing shall stop me. And despite the fact that in the future I may fall or falter, I shall not remain down or broken. I shall rise and rise shall I, to amazing heights.



Thank you to everyone who made my birthday a day of fun, simplicity and learning.