What astonishes me even more is that the original authors of the quotes are seldom noted. Almost like the quotes just fell from the sky to occupy the pages of a book or in their case, Chinese scrolls.

So here is the quote of the week; I don't know why I call it quote of the week, since it isn't really weekly but done randomly as quotes come my way. It is timely, so cliché eh... The quote speaks about going through tribulations in order to grow as a person and that all in all we should see those difficulties as making us better,stronger individuals.

I guess i should reflect on this quote whenever i am going through personal obstacles and see that the end might just justify the means...

Hats off to the Chinese for this one...

Nest@

So I've decided to write my own Christmas Message this year although I am not too much of a fan of Christmas for various reasons which I will keep away from my blog. Okay, Okay, i will share a few of them: the commercialisation of the holiday (holy day) and the fact that i never got any gifts from Santa as a kid. Santa doesnt visit the Caribbean, well at least not where i live in Dominica.

So now here is my Christmas Message:

Dear All

This Christmas message isn't merely for the holiday season nor is it solely targeting one group in society but it is for every Dominican who cherishes our simple but proud way island lifestyle.

At a moment when we have spent almost a year celebrating our present journey there is still a long road ahead to travel if we are to reach the pinnacle of our development.

But there are obstacles that threaten the path we take and key among them is the increasing tensions, conflicts and violence among the population. Whilst people tend to cast blame at the youth, this is far more than just a youth issue. The current culture of violence is based on social distrust, suspicion, intolerance, injustice, hatred and our inability to interact constructively with our fellow man.

The youth constitute the richest wealth of this country and we should develop qualities of personal integrity, discipline, tolerance and open mindedness. Youth is characterized as a period of passions, emotions, activity and vigor but we must combine this enthusiasm with patience and tolerance.

The 2008 reunion year offered us a unique opportunity to reflect on our common destiny but understand that this destiny will only be achieved through a peaceful, tolerant society.

So this Christmas, in 2009 and beyond we should take a stand to collectively work toward peace and stamp out acts of violence in our country. We take this stand no only for ourselves but for thie present and future generations of Dominican citizens, of the young boys and girls yet to be born.

Peace be with you all.

Well it's not the perfect Christmas message but then again I wasn't striving for perfection, I was only trying to get a point accross, the need for Dominicans to work towards a more tolerant society ready to work towards

Nest@

Every year (at least the last two years that I've been a member) the National Youth Council of Dominica holds a social activity around Christmas time and there is an exchange of gifts. Last year i got a peach dress shirt and a tie and although I like it alot I havent worn it yet, well havent had the occasion, saving it for something special and I hope it comes along before I leave the Earth.

So this year the social took place on Saturday past and I had spent the last few weeks trying to figure out what i would get the PRO (who shall remain nameless) and I finally got her something I know she would use being the eccentric, out-going person that she is.

Around the same time, a member kept asking me what I would buy for a man if I had gotten his name, she assured me that she only wanted advice and that she didnt have my name. Off course, I don't really know what I want so I could hard offer her much credible advice. I said the normal shirt, tie, watch but at the same time saying that I think that men recieve the same type of gifts all the time and that she should put more thought into her gift, that she did too.

So coming back to the gift exchange, this young lady stands up, pulls out a neatly wrapped gift and hands it to me, much to my surprise and says "I got you" and immediately I smile but think, I hope she didnt get me another shirt and tie, lol.

Actually, she got me a book my one of my favourite speakers, the most popular man in the world at this point in time, if you're a constant reader of my blog then you should know who he is (Check blog post: http://jetzzzpoeticexpressions.blogspot.com/2008/11/most-popular-man.html). Yes, she got me a book by Barack Obama, in fact she got me his first book Dreams of My Father.

It's now my new favourite book, I was reading a self help book called The 17 Essential Qualities Of A Team Player by John C. Maxwell but I have now put it down to embrace Obama's book. I will pick it back up as soon as i am done with my new favourite book, which will not take me too long since I'm almost halfway done.

I am already scribbling notes in my notepad, I am an active reader, I can't just read for reading sake, I have to note the good quotes, things I think I can apply to myself but as soon as I am done, will give a review as only I can (i'm full of myself sometimes).

If this book is any good and from reading the first 50 pages, i can already see its promise then I will have no choice but add his other books (The Audacity of Hope, Change We Can Believe In and Barack Obama in his own Words) to my wishlist, I mainly read books from black authors and inspirational type books and looking forward to having a few more in my possession soon.

Nest@