Why Travel?
As a child, growing up on the Island of Jamaica W.I., I was intrigued with the tourists who visited our Island and was so fascinated about us as a people, as well as our cuisine, music, beaches and most importantly, our spirit. Our motto then and still is now “No problem man”!  As I grew older, I would travel vicariously through books to places such a Venice, Italy. I saw myself sitting in the gondola traversing the narrow waterway, walking through the mysterious alleyways and the endless mazes of backstreets, or visiting Europe to see the Eifel Tower, “Big Ben” or the changing of the guards. I decided, there and then that when I became an adult, seeing the world would be a MUST for me.

A Vote is a Terrible Thing to Waste
The next time you can’t be bothered to vote, consider this: 1) More that 40 million Americans participated in the recently concluded Democratic Party primaries and only a handful of votes separated Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton at the end  2) American women won the right to vote less than 90 years ago 3) Black Americans’ right to vote was restricted by various state laws until the 1960s. 4) In Jamaica, only those who paid significant taxes or owned significant property could vote before Britain granted the island “adult suffrage” in 1944.

Interview With Marc Panton The Operator of Butterfly Dreams Farm
Marc and Coleen Panton own an operate operate the Butterfly Dreams Farm in Black River, St. Elizabeth,  Jamaica. This month we interview Marc Panton  and discuss  butterflies in Jamaica.

Acres of Diamonds
When you see yourself more clearly, you see yourself as someone who is valuable and has limitless potential. This leads to high self esteem and high expectations which are the cornerstones for high achievement. This perspective also motivates you and compels you to act with a clearly defined purpose.

From Harvey River : Jamaican Book Review
Lorna Goodison’s spellbinding memoir of her forebears, From Harvey River, combines family history with that of her beloved Jamaica. She describes how the Harveys settled the town named for them, how they met their respective spouses, and, in the case of her parents, how they adjusted to living in reduced circumstances in Kingston.

So Close, yet So Far away
As a Jamaican living in Central America I have heard many perceptions from Jamaicans about the Isthmus.  The truth is that many Jamaicans look down on these countries as backward and Civil War stricken nations. This is so far from the present day reality as those periods of war are long gone and most of these countries are today more developed than Jamaica.

Know When To Tek Weh Yuh Self
Gentlemen let’s reason for a while and ladies pass this article on to your brother, son, cousin and yes, your man. If you are a married/attached man who is in a extramarital affair and you desire to get out but you can’t seem to get out, it is as if you are trapped, then chances are you have fallen victim to the wiles of the other woman.

Work Permits Revisited
One of the most asked questions of me is "How can I get a job and work in Jamaica?" For most people this is extremely hard, if not impossible. Unemployment is double digit with no signs of easing. All work is offered to Jamaicans first. Some fields in highly skilled professions are open to the world primarily because there aren't enough Jamaicans with expertise in those areas.

A Jamaican Single Dad’s Reflection-A Father’s Day Special
Many stories are told of the single mom and her journey raising her children. Here is the story of a single father who shouldered his responsibility, as son, who he raised on his own. When he thought of his decision to take Michael and raise him by himself, Lance says he would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Forgiveness: It's Worth Your Mental Health
Forgiveness is a gift given by God for His children to freely give. If forgiveness is not given, like an inflamed human appendix, if not removed, it ruptures and causes adverse effect to the human body, possibly even death. Forgiveness plays a vital role in mental health. Stress, anxiety, resentment, bitterness and hatred are symptoms of unforgiveness, which are all harmful to one’s mental health.

Free and Laughing: Spiritual insights in everyday moments : Jamaican Book Review
Free and laughing presents a different way of looking at life – one that is detached, yet accepting and rooted in trust and love. When one lives life this way, one is free to laugh,love and trust. Life becomes a big playground, full of fun, joy and learning. Yes, you fall,there are scrapes, cuts and bruises, but when you are free and laughing, you picky ourself up and play again!

To Pay A Man His Own Coins - Fathers awake
The joys of being a father are unparalleled. We see in our young ones the potential to realize our very own unfulfilled dreams. We often here similes like ‘as devoted as a mother and as kind as a child’ but nothing about fathers love and devotion towards their children. Too often fathers are classified as sperm donors and deadbeat dads because of their delinquencies.

The Government heaps the problem of crime on the police.
The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) on May 29, 2008 demanded that the Government share with the country its approach to curb the escalating crime wave. I have been stirred by Prime Minster Golding's response of referring development of Jamaica's crime plan to the Commissioner of Police. The Prime Minister cites the amendment to Section 2 of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Act to argue that the police have total control over operational matters!

The Writings of the Soul~'When Life Says 2+2=5'
What do you do when everything that you know, that you are familiar with, that you can bank your life on, does not produce the expected results in your life’s equation?

Loss of Jamaican Identity = Anarchy
While recently engaged in a discussion at church on whether DISOBEDIENCE and INDISCIPLINE are synonymous, a thought occurred to me: Jamaican students who migrate display a quaint but much admired character trait- the use of SIR and MISS when referring to male and female teachers. Another Jamaican characteristic displayed by parent/guardian is the administration of corporal punishment, i.e., spanking or as the good old book describe it, the use of the rod. The appropriate administration of corporal punishment/spanking is an integral part of our Jamaican identity.

“Layers of Blackness”(Colourism in the African Diaspora) : Book Review
Marcus Garvey’s observations in 1923 are an apt description of the topic of this book. But why write a book about colourism - a term that is rarely used in public spheres and a topic that is equally rarely discussed in private circles? As a journalist who writes predominantly about issues that impact the African Diaspora, I am acutely aware that a great deal of attention is devoted by community leaders to addressing issues of racism that disadvantage black communities and in fighting for social, economic and political equality that is routinely denied to people of colour.

Expats Moving to Jamaica
If you're an expat and you're planning a move to Jamaica, you have probably spent hours scouring the internet for information use to help make the transition. If you're a Jamaican who has been away for more than ten years, this may apply to you also.

Preacher, Returning Resident - Part 1
Part 1 of a short story by Oren Cousins - PREACHER is back in Jamaica, after spending nearly thirty years in Britain. He has built a fabulously new church – the talk of the country parts- in his native High Mountain District. Preacher , with his wife, Mother Mildred, after thirty years , has qualified as a bona fide Returning Resident. He is proud of the name , for the word , has a status ring to it, a stamp of distinction , like a heraldic title. Moreso, it is a symbol of struggle and triumph.

mCommerce Boom brewing in JAMAICA
We now have Mcommerce here in Jamaica, thanks to two innovative young entrepreneurs Damion Daley and Stephen Spence.

The U.S. Immigration Debate – A few perspectives
Many anticipate that the U.S. immigration laws will change after the 2008 elections in November. With candidates Obama, Clinton and McCain talking about a variety of issues, Immigration being paramount, it is clear that they will say what they must in order to get elected, which is the nature of politics. In what way the Immigration field will change is unknown as many political leaders are reluctant to make the necessary changes that will actually benefit the greater society.

Problems That Spawned Gangs Have Yet to be Addressed
Public housing projects that were created to replace Jamaica's shantytowns have become :garrisons' where bloody gang warfare rages unabated. And no one seems willing or able to fix the underlying problems..

Searching For The Best : Jamaican Book Review
In "Searching for The Best," Hatcher takes snapshots of her life and biblical scripture and puts them into context to relate to the average reader, who must overcome his or her own hardship to achieve their goal. Although the book was written for people from all walks of life in any country