“I am a black, Jamaica woman! Of Course I can cook!”

I enjoy preparing delicious meals where you get a taste of all the flavors, from spicy to sweet. I do not love the kitchen but I am great at cooking and I love to find new recipes and try them which the meals always comes out successful. Being on campus I love to cook because the cafeteria food is horrible and when I cook it reminds me of home.

But, where did it all started?

Have I always enjoyed cooking? No! I use to despise the kitchen and the idea of cooking, however, from a young age I was always told that sex alone cannot keep a man, you will have to feed your husband or he will date the maid (whoever cooks for the family). The first time I went around the stove was about age 6 or 7 with supervision that is, I was frying dumplings (very simple). Oh! That was a bad idea, I had to be on a stool so I can reach the stove and because I was frying each time I placed the dumpling in the oil the oil would sizzle and splash up a little and it would sometimes catch my arms which I hated, but according to my oldest sister, “if you don’t get burn you aren’t doing anything,” I beg to disagree. I did not want it to catch my arm so the next time I went into the kitchen I tried to stay far as possible from the pot and through in whatever I was making which was dumplings, again, (it is easy to make and it is simple so I loved making it, I still do), worst idea ever! That made the oil splash even worst! Thank God I was never seriously injured by the hot oil but I did get a few burns, I guess I was doing something after all. When I was growing up I never had to cook because I always had my mother, father and both my older sisters cooking which they love doing and that is why they are so good at it now, I use to sit, watch television and wait until the meal is finished then I would go and eat (I love to eat!), unfortunately, I had to play my role which was washing up the dishes. “Nuh man nah guh waan yuh if yuh caan cook!” my mother use to repeat this so many times, which is simple stating “no man will want you if you cannot cook”. She was not saying it to be disrespectful but she wanted me to know that males love when their women can cook and I have taken heed to her wise words and the older I got the more I have proven this.

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach! I am now an adult and I see my husband in my near future so, hey, if I have to cook, I will cook! 

The Power of RESPECT!

          The film starts out with a youth being inconsiderate by playing her music loudly in the elevator even though there was another person there. The other individual who was in there at the time started playing his music which is from a different genre louder and then that started the clash. Everyone else that came in after did the same thing, started playing their music loudly so that it would over power the other person’s music. However, for the last young man that came in instead of playing his music loudly he put in an ear phone plug. The purpose of the film is not only to show how in tolerant people are of each other but also how inconsiderate humans are; by allowing the last individual to not blast his music the author made this person be the change. The audience of the video is each individual, I think the video is to show us how one person can make a difference and that we can accomplish change by respecting others. 

What makes me unique

My favorite genre of music is gospel, however, I also enjoy some nice reggae music

“Through it all” by the Crabb Family, I really enjoying listening to this song because it gives me hope. It helps me to understand that no matter what I’m going through in my life, God is there to guide me and He is helping me each step of the way.

“No More Night” There is coming a day where we will go to our heavenly home. A place where there will be no more pain, no more crying just joy.

“God Favored Me” by Hezekiah Walker et.al. This song reminds me that no matter how I have sinned or how negative people try to bring me down God is there to protect.

“No Weapon” by Fred Hammond This songs just says that no matter the barriers that the devil put up they will not harm you because God is in the midst.

“Nobody Greater” by VaShawn Mitchell There isn’t any god that is greater than King Jesus!

“Smile Jamaica” by Chronixx This song portrays the beauty of Jamaica and all that is as offered, for example, Bob Marley, Usain  Bolt, Art, Scenic Beauty.

“Never Could’ve made it Without You” by Marvin Sapp God has brought me through some difficult times in my life and this just reminds me that it’s because of God why I made it through those times.

“Please Forgive Me” by Crabb Family I have sinned and come short of the glory of God, all I can do is ask to be forgiven.

“Redemption Song” by Bob Marley It shows were the Black race is coming from not just those who were traded as slaves but blacks today that we need to do something.

“Sweet Sweet Jamaica” by Shaggy et.al. It shows the true culture of Jamaica, from our people to our music, food, dance etc. 

I believe that when listening to music it should be something that not only motivates you to do right but also helps you to be prepared for life after death. 

A word from the wise

Dear Eager Student,

The idea of college is presented as parties, getting wasted and living life to the fullest. What is the real reason for going to college? I am sure it is to get a degree. Sure, you may have fun and enjoy being in college but do not forget the main purpose of being there. “College work requires new kinds of motivation and self-discipline” as pointed out by Hjortshoj in The Transition to College Writing; in high school it is evident that your teachers and parents are the ones that normally push and motivate you and tell you to ensure that you get your assignments done. However, in college all the responsibility is now placed on you, you have to ensure that you wake on time for classes in the morning, ensure that you are fully prepared for those classes and ensure that assignments are completed and submitted before the due date. Personally, I forgot to submit an assignment on time and I lost 10% off my final grade and though it may not seem like a lot of points, it is and you will have to work to make it up.

Another point that is presented in The Transition to College Writing is the fact that “principles of “academic freedom” encourage variation in college teaching”. You will find that the teaching styles of your professors will differ, they may use different textbooks than other professors teaching the same course but what is important to note is how your professor teaches and what is expected. In my first semester, I was able to distinguish between my professors; I know that for my Psychology teacher, she will find different games for us to do so we understand the concept whilst my Foundation of Education teacher will find different videos to show, so different teacher will use different styles so that the students may understand the material.

I think it is crucial to note that if you feel like you are not being challenged in a class, talk to the teacher and see what can be done and know that some courses are designed in the first semester that they start of slow to help with the transition from one stage to the next. Starting college there were classes that I did not feel challenged in, however, I realized that these classes are designed to help you with the transition from high school into college courses; if professors dived into college work then it is likely that students will not perform the way that they ought to.

Take initiative. If a professor do not show up for class then ensure that you follow the syllabus so you see should have been done that day and you go and do some reading on it. Also, if you are missing from a class, the appropriate thing to do is send the teacher an email stating the reason without going in-depth. When you follow the syllabus you will always be in track or one step ahead which is beneficial for you.  

While you dive into your college courses I hope you will have a smooth transition and as I always say “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.

From,

The wise one