Today I am hanging out with my older (yet younger looking) sister and my niece Lauryn.  We are celebrating her successful exam results.  Not sure what we are going to do yet but we are going to hit the town.

My niece Lauryn had her QCA tests – which is a week of English and maths tests.  She exceeded her maths target and she reached her English target.  The great thing about my niece Lauryn aged 9 is she is focused and determined.  This does not distract from the fact that she is fun loving.  Her mother is very supportive and helps her to learn. 

First we went for a drive and ended up in Slone Square showing our 9 year old protegee where she should  shop in the future. Don’t worry we have already shown her the charity shop/bohemian route.  We then went to the fabulous Portobello Road Market. So many vibrant colours, arts and crafts and things to see.  In particular I love the silver.  My sister bought me a pair of silver earrings made in Israel they are beautiful I cannot stop smiling.  My niece chose a necklace for her mum and because she has been so good my sister bought her a beautiful ring with three pink stones – delicate and fitting for a little girl. 

I received a phone call from Diane reminding me that there was a networking event for her social network dominican-diaspora.com .  It was an evening of jazz music and a chance for the network members to meet. I went with my sister and niece. I also met some friends who happened to be there because they were related to the musician so it was an evening of meeting new and old friends.  My sister and niece dropped me at home I returned for more fun.  After all the festivities Diane came round to view my new flat and we had a scream and a laugh chatting our heads off.

I had a great day today I managed to forget my worries and shift into a new realm which I really needed.  Right now I cannot stop stating at my earrings and smiling as I reminisce about my day hanging with the home girls.

Lauretta

I spoke to my mum yesterday – she is so sweet.  Mum lives in St Lucia.  Today is a special day in the Roman Catholic calendar.  Mum said herself and two friends bought some flowers and decorated the church and the local hospital that morning.  I say sounds good!  She is fairly religious my mum.  Mum told me there was a procession in town and celebrations that afternoon - her friends asked her to go.  I asked her if she was going she said no.  I asked her why not and mum said she is going fishing with two of my cousins – two men.  I love my mum she is a scream – no really.  Mum continued – ‘we went fishing last week at the edge of town behind the cemetery I caught a herring it was delicious’.  What can I say – she is hooked!

Lar x

I have just come home I attended a prize giving ceremony.  I completed the course in December and was completing the second stage until interrupted.  I was aware that I am in currently challenging the organisation yet I had to go there to collect my hard earned certificates.  It was a great evening I collected my award from the Head of Adult Education, had a photo taken etc.  We had drinks and a buffet after and I met up with colleagues past and present.  We swapped numbers and promised to eat.  My lecturer and his colleague came into the room and hovered in the corner he looked sheepish it was awkward for me.  After a while I walked over to his corner and invented him over.  I said please join us – we are also taking photos.  They joined us everyone was happy.  It was a great evening, so with certificate in hand I went home.  I received a few calls from my study colleges complementing me stating how well and comfortable I looked I thanked them. 

The truth is I had help.  I prayed, I meditated I spoke with friends who offered me pearls of wisdom and encouragement additionally I journaled and my journaling help me to critically reflect upon what had happened, where I was and where I needed to go from here.  Facing my challenges made me realise that what I considered to be a challenge was just a situation that I added a lot of negative value to and gave it power.  By changing the way I thought about a situation I was able to attend, be dignified not intimidated and rise above the various dynamics of the evening.  I am sitting here looking forward to ringing my mum and letting her know how well her daughter is doing.  The best thing I have my certificates, courage and tools to help with situations that may arise in the future.

Lar x

I have just come in.  I went to the ‘Sunday Seranade’a reggae dance in the Stonebridge Centre, West London populated by mature people.  A real hole-in-the-wall.  The music – reggae, perhaps an old soul record or two and tonight there was maybe five bursts of calypso/soca music.  Let me share with you - what is so great about the evening. 

The venue – a community hall nice ‘n’ simple.  The charge – £5.00 – for real! Bargain! Drinks cheap. The people - mum and dad’s age –  some mature men (something for the ladies) some nice brothers and pretty ladies.  The dress code well here goes I saw a couple of ladies in ’fur’ coats one probably coney eighties style and another bolero style over and what looked like a short ballroom gown and her gentleman had a beige suit and two toned shoes – do you get the look  – they looked great and danced really well together.  Another lady in a shimmery all in one looking fine dancing on her own all night definitely looking good – feelin’ great.  Another lady in a short cocktail dress perhaps nearly sixty years old nice legs and a good mover.  A few men in their light brown/cream/ beige suits and ties, a few dreads some young men in jeans and a few teenagers.  A mixed bag.  Remind you of anything? 

For me the scene is reminiscent of the family parties or dances I used to go to.  You-know when mum and dad BOTH used to PULL YOU to dance and you HAD TO so arms up and half dragged you learned to step to those old reggae tunes.  Mum and dad were proud – you were embarrassed.  I loved it - what a great place to be – friendly people and happy faces.

The evening is run by HAWKEYE and DADDY ERNIE - a great reggae DJ.  I spoke to Ernie afterwards he was looking fine he looked dapper and I noticed a tan.  He said he has just spent five days in Spain working at a BEENIE MAN concert.  Oh the life!  Ernie is such a nice guy – consistent always polite. 

I came home and sat down ad reflected on the great evening I had with my friends.  I danced and dancing helped shift me from the ‘funk’ I was in earlier this week it felt good and let the music move me.  I really enjoyed myself.  I went to the dance with my friend and her cousin who is returning ‘home’ to Jamaica on Wednesday.  I wish her all the best – I just met her but really loved her she was a great woman.

So having taken in the evening I stumble in to bed and look forward to having sweet dreams.  After all tomorrow is another day.

Lauretta x