Category of things about you in answer of 3's, well sort of because i added and subtracted to mine a bit, you can make up your own categories too:

Three Places I have worked (are working): Division of Agriculture, NAYA Inc., National Youth Council of Dominica

Three places I have lived: Dominica (Bath Estate, Citronier, Pointe Michel, Roseau and Bath Estate again, Guadeloupe

Three shows that I watch: ESPN Sportscenter, Pardon the Interruption,

Three places I have been: Japan, Romania, France, Caribbean, Africa, etc

Three people who read my blog often: Maureen, Patricia

Three of my favourite foods: codfish and provisions, fish broth, Dominican pumpkin soup.

Three places I'd rather be right now: Dominica, St. Vincent and Japan (where I am right now)

Three things I am looking forward to this year: Dominica World Creole Music Festival, my birthday (October 12) and visiting St. Vincent

Three things I do in the privacy of my room: write poetry, take care of my aquarium, read books (what were you expecting, lol)

Three sports I play or try to play: Football, Cricket and more Football

Three favourite words or phrases: Basically, look seen, for true den

and the list continues...

let the poem speak for itself, i dont have much else to say:

The Hunger Poem by Delroy "Nesta" Williams

The screams of the poor
are whispers to the world,
Hear their Voices.
Like howling wolves over distant lands
but coming from our back yards,
hearken to the needy
make the right choice.

Stop pretend that the poor and hungry speak in foreign tongues,
the signs of the times is our universal language;
time to act, initiate the reversal,
think global but begin local.
It's not too late, the sun still shines on today
and the moon of the night will point us the way.

Just open your eyes
let your heart speak for your mouth,
fighting world hunger, poverty
that's what it's all about,
seeds sown on fertile ground
are sure to sprout.
Come on now; join the fight
not for wars of mass destruction
but a crusade for nourishment and nutrition

Hi everyone!

In the spirit of Dominica's Reunion '08, may I ask that each family living abroad sponsor a child to go to preschool? Many studies have been conducted regarding preschool education. Their conclusions are that preschool education, however limited, is better than none at all.

It costs less than $200 US (100 GBP)/year to send a child to preschool FOR A YEAR.

If you are one of 4 siblings, each of you would contribute $5/month for 2 years. That would pay for preschool and uniforms. It is a 2 year commitment. After that, as a family, you may wish to help cover the cost of books, etc.. as the child attends Primary school, which is free.

The child you sponsor would be able to write to you - it be would great if you could write back and build a long term relationship with them. If we have 100 families who choose to participate, ONE HUNDRED CHILDREN will go to preschool. Our future ministers may be among these children. These children may be governing our country if/when we choose to retire there.

If you are not willing or able to sponsor a child yet, feel free to make a donation to the fund to assist in the process of helping our children have a better life.

Dominica's Reunion '08 is not just about the next fete - the best rum punch - the flashiest outfit - the most bling.

Where is our collective responsibility as a nation to bring each other up in the world? How many children can we educate? If we wait for government assistance for everything, we will continue to move at the same pace.

If you wish to help, please contact Doreen Francis @ The Dominica Save The Children Fund as follows: domniksave@cwdom.dm

If you don't get a response, please persist because they have server issues from time to time. Please be patient - it's worth it!

I am forwarding this message from a fren because i intend to support this venture and i am hoping that i can also encourage other Dominicans (in and out of Dominica) and well wishers to assist.

I am also doing it because i benefited from this fund as a teenager during my years at the Dominica Grammar School. At the time i took the assistance for granted but right now i realize it did make a difference to have my sponsor. I remember writing letters and sending photos and being excited about recieving replies. I also remember losing interest, i wonder if they would still have the contact of my sponsor, i would love to let them know that their money didnt go in vain and i actually turned out alright, if i might say so myself.

And now the shoe is on the other foot, it is now my turn to assist and i will be pledging my funds and efforts in this venture as soon as i get back to DA. I will also rally other young persons to assist through my social/professional networks.

Please assist as well, every dollar counts and makes the difference, it did in my life.
Thank you.

A month ago, my 9 yr old asked to donate her used books to Roseau Primary school. I was very surprised - she hates to part with her prized possessions. Then she asked if we could encourage more children to do so. She started "Kiera's Kids Book Club" to encourage people to donate new and used books.

I have received messages from Delroy @ the National Youth Council to help organize and distribute the books once they get to DA. Thanks Del!

In the course of the last month, we have collected close to 300 books. Yesterday, I received a message from a wonderful young lady, Arlene Alexander who works for a publishing company. She has BOXES & BOXES of books. Thanks Arlene.

Shipping is a challenge - BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LET THIS OPPORTUNITY GO TO WASTE!

If you are in the US and wish to send books, which I will ship directly to DA, please ship to:

c/o The Granite Shop, 1124 Harpeth Industrial Court, Franklin, TN 37064

I am seeking help of shippers - freight forwarders - ANYTHING! There has to be a way for us to come together to get these books to kids in DA, please.

To send books from any other part of the world - DIRECTLY TO DA - please send to:

The National Youth Council is:

15 Bath Road, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica
Attn: Delroy Williams
West Indies 00109-8000
Telephone:1-767-448-6944

It may be tough times right now, but I'm sure that we can do this - PLEASE HELP!If a 9 yr old thinks we can do this, let's show her that we can rise to the challenge.

P.S.: Any other publishers out there? We'll take one or one THOUSAND BOOKS please :)God Bless.

I'm taking a moment to laugh a bit cause i dont really have a cd player but i listen to music from my laptop, either way it plays music right?

I have a diverse collection of music from Caribbean soca, calypso, bouyon, zouk, cadence, reggae, dancehall and Hip Hop as well. My range of international music isn't much besides a few french songs that i fell in love with, well actually just one song, lol.

But right now, I've gone a little old school, well its old school in Hip Hop, but when we think of old school music, it's not that old. I've been listening to Lauryn Hill's first album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." I actually have all her solo albums and none of the Fugees group efforts, i dont know why though.

I remember when this album just came out, i had it on cassette and i played it everyday for months. There was this neighbour of mine in Pound, Kennedy Avenue, where i lived at the time, who i had a crush on, for the purpose of protection i wont disclose who she is and i played and sang that album to her every day, through her windows though, u know how Pound is, every house is so close you can hear what people are saying in their house. So this love continued for months. Anyways, to cut a long story short, it didnt work out, teenage crushes or love stories hardly ever do anyway.

Just a few weeks ago, i heard one of her songs and immediately it brought me back to those moments too, so i went on my laptop and downloaded the album, off course by now, cassettes are almost obsolete, so i wont be caught dead with one, lol. So again, ive been playing the album almost daily, feeling the positive vibes too.

My favourite songs on the album, although i like them all, are:
To Zion
Lost Ones
Ex-Factor
Superstar
When it hurts so bad
Forgive them Father
Every Ghetto, Every City
Nothing even matters

aye, i said i liked them all, lol. That's what i call a classic album when you can put it in and just press play and not have to skip a song because every one of them is enjoyable and you replay each song two or even three times because you dont want the moment to end. So right now that's what i am listening to and my favourite of favourite songs is playing:To Zion,and my favourite verse just passed too (gonna play it again too):

Unsure of what the balance held
I touched my belly overwhelmed
By what I had been chosen to perform
But then an angel came one day
Told me to kneel down and pray
For unto me a man child would be born
Woe this crazy circumstance
I knew his life deserved a chance
But everybody told me to be smart
Look at your career they said,"Lauryn, baby use your head"
But instead I chose to use my heart

I like that verse because i too feel that my mother chose to listen to her heart, thank God she didnt have an abortion, thank God.

Nesta