Apathy

Apathy: the lack of emotion, motivation, or enthusiasm. Apathy is a psychological term for a state of indifference — where an individual is unresponsive or "indifferent" to aspects of emotional, social, or physical life. (www.wikipedia.org) .

I have it on good authority that apathy is more dangerous to a relationship than any STD (read KIDS) or interference from third party. Beware indeed.

Gone too soon

I miss you mummy. Love Meli.

Fitting in

At a friend's church another friend of mine commented that the way I dressed fit his sterotype of peopole who do not typically go to church. I was incidentally wearing a red sleeveless blouse and a full black skirt with black heels. Now considering that I saw other ladies dressed in similar fashion and I have worn the same outfit to my own church, I know this opinion is irrelevant :-p . It got me thinking however about the appropriate garments that should be worn on a first visit if one wants to fit in with the rest of the congregation.

Standard outfit for guys is a suit in sober colour with long sleeve shirt. Ladies, modest outfit with sleeves with minimum jewellery /makeup and avoid flambouyant colours /hairstyles.

For those who might be under more discerning eyes take note of the folllowing:

• A Bible is a definite MUST. Further the type and condition of the Bible are key indicators to your spiritual life. Examples, King James is standard Conservative, try to have some relevant passages highlighted. A Student Bible is good too, shows that you try to apply Biblical wisdom to daily life, or even better a red letter Bible to show you have a bit of money too and invest it in the right things. Make sure the Bible has that broken in look, but still presentable. Can't have anyone thinking that you've been using it to support that right back leg of the coffee table.
• Bring paper money for the collection and don't make change from the collection plate.
• When the praise and worship starts (or any section of singing actually) raise your hand and close your eyes then sway to the music. If you're really trying to create the impression that you and the big guy are good friends then don't sway, and say the words instead of singing.

There are other things that can be done but for a first visit this is pretty good. Now go out and fit in :D

UWI -Your place to find food

My beautiful campus is a very self contained spot. Two banks, Health Centre as well as Hospital, Hotel, Gym, Supermarket, Hair Salon, Post Office, and NUFF NUFF Food place. It's just as well that the gym is there since most of the places are fast food joints. The latest one is Juici Patties, which was preceeded by a Chinese Restaurant and KFC. I hear rumours that Burger King will also grace us with their presence.

Initially I wondered why on earth these places would want to come here. Didn't they realize that this was a campus with students, ie bruk pocket folk in debt too, and the staff members already were spoiled for choice with no less than 11 (eleven) food emporiums(not including the snack & juice vendors or the commissaries). Further more the campus is smack between two busy commercial areas, Papine and Liguanea, with a plethora of choice just from them alone.

Luckily I am not the CEO for these companies as I clearly have not the sense to realize how deprived these campus persons felt. To date while I have occasionally been the only customer entering KFC I have never remained the only one inside, the Chinese food place had me waiting when I checked it out, and let's not mention the lines outside of the restaurant in the case of Juici Patties.

For me the regular routine hasn't changed, I still go by Seacole commisary to get my patties and cinnamon crackers. So much for choice :D

Job wanted

I have begun actively seeking new employment. I sent in my first job application this week, which is funny considering that I've been working every summer since my first year at UWI and have been in my current position for two years, but such is life in JA. I really should have started looking for a new job from over the holidays but procrastinated waay too long. Hopefully something good will arise that won't have me moving outside of Kingston or missing out on Festival in August. Pray for me folks.

On being a mother

I went with a co-worker of mine this morning as she carried her young daughter to the day care centre. We got out of the car alright, she(the baby) looked like she wanted to cry or it could have been that her mother had taken her finger out of her mouth. In any case we went into the day care and some of her (the baby's) friends were calling to her to come and play. Everything goes smoothly until we turn to leave. Who comes strolling out with us but baby. Then the bawling starts when the grill closes. What a heart wrenching sound. It must be hard to overcome the first day of separation . It wasn't my child and I still felt bad walking away. My coworker says normally she would just run off and go play.

I assume one gets used to it. You'd have to. But Lord. Makes you consider the benefits of homeschooling.

Celebrate a year in the life of friends

Just watched Rent last night. Been dying to see the musical and still am,. The movie really tried to capture the feel of the show and did an admirable job. Had me crying a bit in the middle, but I did the same from just listening to the musical score which I've had for the last 3 years. Thanks to my companion for the evening who didn't mind me singing along during the movie :-). Umm, this movie I should mention deals with AIDS and relationships, some of which are non heterosexual. Not recommended for the typical Jamaican male :-)