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"Bajan Sun Online Magazine” is a publication geared towards the advancement of Small Businesses through affordable Marketing. www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline
DECEMBER 2015
Editor’s Note E
ntrepreneurs are forward thinkers. They cultivate new ideas and inspire those around them to use innovation to discover new opportunities for new products, services or intellectual solutions. Entrepreneurs show initiative that is selfmotivated based on their inner vision and drive to take action. For businesses, having such inspiration and energy can keep fellow employees motivated and willing to meet organizational goals. The entrepreneurial spirit can assist companies to weave together a seamless workflow between and among various
company departments. The entrepreneurial spirit also encourages self-pride and recognition for each individual’s contribution to a corporate end product. In the long run, such a spirit breathes necessary vitality into long-term organizational life-spans. If you are considering starting an entrepreneurial business, or expanding your leadership capabilities in your current business, take a look at our advertising services. Bajan Sun Marketing is a great method of exposure and easy to incorporate into any marketing plan.
Raeann Beckles
Ph o t o C r ed i t : Steve Hernandez
Contact Us Give us a call for more information about our services and products. Email: info@bajansunonline.com Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BaJansun
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Norma T. Hollis America’s Leading Authentic Voice DoctorŽ Mentor, Transformational Artist ~ Visionary Advocate of the Human Spirit Fay G. Parris RN, RM, BSc Nursing Education, MEd. Administration, MSc. Nursing-Clinical Nurse Specialist (Gerontology) Nursing Instructor, BCC
Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe Author. Thought Leader. Social Entrepreneur, Organization and Leadership Development Solutionist
Dr. Andrew Forde
Office is located in the Pine Medical Centre, Suite 3, 3rd Ave, Belleville, St Michael, Barbados. Telephone (246) 429 5863 Email: skindeep@caribsurf.com
Denise J Charles Author of How to Have Mind Blowing Sex Without Losing Your Brain and Your Baby is Coming Now Push.
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DECEMBER 2015
OUR CONTRIBUTORS VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 21 | DEC 2015
Publisher The BIM
Judy Beckles
Charmaine J. Forde
HR Specialist, Advocate for Persons with Disabilities, Disability Sports Co-ordinator (Special Olympics & Paralympics)
Liberal Arts Major at Community College of Philadelphia and a Soldiers Angel volunteer
Jerome "The Trainer" Greenidge Personal Trainer, Physique Pro Fitness Consultant
Lisa White
Mariposa Reina
CPDT-KA The Dog Trainer
Writer, Poet, Performer, Teacher
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12-13
Christmas Fuss In The 70’s Barbados
14-15
6 Money Saving Christmas Shopping Tips
16-18
Mala Bryan's "Malaville"
20-21
If You Do What You Have Always Done
22-23
Sylvia Charles-Dolcy Designer of Handcrafted Jewellery
24
Physique Pro Fitness Consultancy
26-28
10 Tips For Managing Stress over Christmas
30-33
Massage Therapy - It’s Healing Benefits
34-35
Skin Guru - Phytophotodermatitis
36-37
Learning As A Lifestyle Educational Reform
38-40
10 Common Communication Mistakes
42-43
Check Out Your Front Row
45
Protect Your Computer From Viruses And Other Intrusions
49-53
5 Mistakes People Make When Setting Up Their Website
55-57
How To Succeed When We Fail At Love
58-59
In The Spotlight - Vilma Bradshaw
60-62 Understanding Communication Skills 68-69
Destination Barbados
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DECEMBER 2015 70-71 Customer Service Expert Advice - 5 All Time Top Tips 73 76-79 81 84-86
The Barbados Rum Shop Managing Your Emotions at Work Benefits of Private Tutoring Selena REBEL GLAM Dodson
88
Christmas In Barbados
89
Bajan Christmas Ham
90-91
Ultimate Expressions of An Artist - Jamal Ince
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DECEMBER 2015
A r t & Cre a t i v e D i re c t o r : F r a n kl y n Pa r r i s Editor: Ra e a n n B e c kl e s Design & Layout: F r a n kl y n Pa r r i s Graphic Designer: F r a n kl y n Pa r r i s Q u a n t a n o Pa r r i s Tr a c y G re e n i d g e Advertising Sales: Q ua nt a no Pa r r i s Ta s h a n n a Pa r r i s Photographers: Zi c o Mi l l e r Clyde Barnette Shaun Graham
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DECEMBER 2015
B
ack in the 7o’s, Christmas was one of the most anticipated holidays in Barbados, I remember hearing the neighbors banging with the hammers as they hang up the curtains on the wooden windows, and the cornucopia of smells from the houses in the neighborhood, including the sweet bread, the ham and pork baking, the great cake baking and the music blasting from up the street-music by Bing Crosby White Christmas”, Merry Men singing “ This Christmas feeling”, “Rocksteady Christmas Party” by Richard Stoute, “Wuh Yah Gotta Gimme Fuh Christmas by Sach Moore and The Sand- Pebbles and “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire by Nat King Cole”.
Piece of pork
Here are some of the conversations one would often hear in most of the homes in Barbados during that time.
Curtain rods
“Guh down in Ellis quarry and bring home some marl, to put around the yard.-Get a piece uh string and put up the Christmas cards-wash out them bottles and carry them down to Carlton Supermarket, I gine bake a pan uh pudding and a great cake, when I come from in from town- I gotta paint the kitchen, before I put up new blinds, how much curtain rods I need?-
Cloves
I want these floors scrubbed and varnished, Grate that coconut and minced them fruits for me, and then wash wunna hair, I gine press it later.” Written in Bajan parlance
Charmaine J. Forde © 2014
A typical Christmas Shopping list in the 70’s
and “Women Speak Newsletter at CCP.
Sorrel A case of Soft drinks, (Ju-c, Frutee, Bim, Cococola, BBC gingers) A case of Tiger Malts 1 Falernum
2 pints of Green peas Fruits, apples, oranges, bananas 1 Kola-Tonic
A small ham
New curtains Stanley products- Big Wheel, sachets of ice cologne, All-purpose cream
Charmaine J Forde is a Continuing Education Student of Community College in Philadelphia and a contributing writer to “The Vanguard”
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DECEMBER 2015
By Maggie Shi
H
ow to survive the holiday shopping season without busting your budget or going crazy.
Christmas shopping season kicks off with a vengeance even before you’ve had time to make that cold turkeystuffing-cranberry-sauce sandwich. Don’t stress out yet—we’ve shared some tips for saving money and staying sane while navigating holiday shopping madness. Make a List Write down everyone you plan to buy a gift for, no matter how small the gift may be. Include ideas of what to give each person, along with the maximum amount you’re willing to spend. Don’t forget to list the people who will receive holiday tips, such as your
doorman, babysitter, and mail carrier. This will help you manage your holiday budget. Start Early Don’t wait until after Thanksgiving to start buying holiday gifts. Keep your eyes open all year round for items friends and family would like; it’s often when you’re not looking for something specific that you stumble across the perfect gift for Dad or your best friend Jenny. Once December hits, you’ll be glad that you already have some people crossed off your list. Just make sure to keep all your advance gifts in a designated (and hidden, if necessary) spot so that you don’t forget a purchase you made months in advance.
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DECEMBER 2015
Do Online Research If you’re unsure of which specific item to buy (for example, you want to buy your husband a digital camera but don’t know what brand or model is best), search for reputable online reviews. Or check sites with user reviews and ratings, such as Amazon.com or Cnet.com, to find out which products have the most positive feedback. To find the best online price, use a comparison shopping site, such as Pricegrabber.com.
things for sale on Etsy.com). If you’re creatively inclined, avoid mall madness altogether and bake a batch of cookies, sew personalized tote bags, or make beautiful earrings for friends and family. If you need to learn a new skill, look into classes in your neighborhood or invest in a how-to book—there’s one for just about every craft out there.
Hit Up Black Friday (If You Dare) If you’re looking for great deals and aren’t afraid of battling large crowds, the day after Thanksgiving is a shopping must. Get a head start on fellow shoppers by checking a website like Blackfriday.org before the big day. The site compiles Black Friday ads from various stores and updates the information as it becomes available, allowing you to plan out which stores to hit and what products you intend to buy. Some stores even offer advance “Black Friday” sales before Thanksgiving, so it’s worth it to peruse the listings early. Be warned, though—some so-called “Black Friday” deals aren’t any cheaper than the regular sale price, so do some extra research before you camp out in the store parking lot at 2 a.m. Take Advantage of Cyber Monday A spin-off of Black Friday that debuted in 2005, Cyber Monday is reputedly the biggest online shopping day of the holiday season—and accordingly, many online retailers will offer special discounts on their products. It takes place the Monday after Black Friday, though you can find online bargains all year long at Cybermonday.com, the official Cyber Monday website. On the actual day, the site will feature extra discounts and hourly specials to further entice online shoppers. To stay even more in the know during the holidays, sign up to receive emails from your favorite stores to get advance notice about sales and insider-only deals. Do It Yourself There’s an abundance of homemade pickles, handknit hats, and handcrafted stationary these days, thanks to a growing obsession with all things crafty, artisanal, and homespun (just look at all the unique
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DECEMBER 2015
I
nternational model Mala Bryan's "Malaville" is a collection of fashionable dolls that evolved from the "dolly world" she created for her Instagram page.
Mala adds that she'll be creating these dolls with her staff in Cape Town, and hopefully very soon also do the same at her home in St Lucia, Caribbean.
While the online community is still giggling about an Instagram account showcasing Hipster Barbie's outdoor adventures, Mala's dolls are shown having fun backstage at fashion shows and posing at global landmarks. This is Mala's unique way of giving her social media followers a playful glimpse of the glamorous world of modelling.
Bryan, 33, revealed her collection of black dolls via her social media sites in November 2015. The dolls have since gone viral and has become very popular on social media.
But what makes Mala's dolls especially fabulous is that she dresses them in her own miniature couture designs in unique African prints. "Usually, if we're going to a nice destination, I will design a line for that particular trip," she says. "The hard part was sewing the clothes the first time," she adds. "But it definitely gets easier!"
The international model hails from the small community of La Pointe, Mon Repos but also lived in Vieux Fort. According to her, it has always been her dream to create her own doll collection.
Mala has about 50 dolls and always picks a lucky few to take along on her travels, making sure to rotate them so each one gets a turn. "I have all races: Black, Caucasian, Asian," she says. "Malaville is a wellrounded dolly world!" Now fans and followers of Malaville can purchase their own dolls from The Malaville Debut Collection. "They are four brown-toned beauties," Mala explains. "I wanted to start my collection with what I noticed was missing on the shelves of toy shops. These are not just black dolls - there are different shades of black and I wanted to bring that out. And, they don't just have Afros, there are different types of curls."
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DECEMBER 2015
“My inspiration to start the Malaville Debut Collection dolls came because as a doll collector I found it very hard to find different black dolls with ethnic hair to add to my collection. And, I realized I was not the only one having that issue, but other adult collectors and parents wanting to add diversity to their children's doll collection. I started the collection with four different brown skin tones dolls, the next collection I will add different tones,” she said. Bryan says her dolls are she designed them from scratch.
unique
because
“I chose the eye shapes, skin color, their features I designed them all. I made them also with little to no makeup because I wanted their natural beauty to stand out.” The excited model and doll creator told Daily News that the dolls are not just for children. In fact, she says, some of her creations are also tailored to suit adults who love to collect dolls.
“For the adults I would love them to be able to play with the dolls and feel stressful situations disappear and for them to be able to connect with their inner child, that is something I believe is very important. “For the children, I love the fact that finally I've been able to create a doll that many young black and brown girls can relate to and many children of other races can now have a black and brown doll to add to their collection. The dolls were created for everyone, both young and old, black and white, brown and yellow,” she explained. When asked whether St. Lucians will be able to purchase her dolls, Bryan excitedly told Daily News that a shipment had just left for St. Lucia while she was speaking with our reporter. “I was just about to announce it,” she said. Mallville dolls can be purchased online at www.malavilletoys .com. Bryan says her company ships worldwide. Fans can also follow her via Instagram @malavilledolls @malaville_ @malabryan.
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:
DECEMBER 2015
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DECEMBER 2015
By: Cheryl Outram
Time for Change. This concept simple as it sounds is
long period of time then maybe just maybe there is a
often harder to accomplish than that of climbing the
need to change maybe all or some elements of what we
Andes mountain range. So often we get stuck in the
are doing.
ruck of complacency and our comfort zone that we often slide further and further towards the uncomfortable and unbearable without even noticing the gradual shift.
But suppose at the very moment we change we were
just a few minutes away from success? What about the theorist who say try again and again until we succeed?
How do we know when, how and what to change in our
Though it may seem hard to change our actions,
lives? Is there a compass or radar that beckons us while
thoughts and habits, often when enough is too little, it’s
the daily ebb and flow of life continues to tie us up in
time for change
knots of despair?
.Changing our lives to achieve personal growth and de-
Exactly why is change necessary?
What can we
velopment is a very natural and inborn process. We are
change? Many of our circumstances are beyond our
tailored by design for personal growth. We are birthed
control! Or are they really? If we are out of a job or we
with the capacity to grow and develop, in the absence
have a struggling business that just can’t foot the bills,
of natural growth and expected development there is a
how do we change that situation when the keys we need
pattern of panic and cause for concern.
are obviously out of reach?
What brings about change?
What can we Change?
A change of environment can bring the freshness and
Changing our attitude of acceptance of the situation and
new opportunities that one may desire. The risk of mi-
our belief that it has to be this way to work is some-
gration and leaving that which is familiar can blossom
times a great way to start. If we are doing something
into bright sparks of fulfillment and achievement.
and we are not seeing the results we need over a pro-
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DECEMBER 2015 A new friend or associate can also be the stimulus of
queen, swung opened her arms and invited him into her
change or the motivation behind a new perception or
home with such regal poise and humble hospitality of a
way of life.
gracious hostess.
Shared experiences and stories often
provide factual evidence of what possibilities can exist. Spiritual healing through prayer and deliverance can also be a source of change and can unleash and unlock ones potential and reveal divine purpose and destiny. Some will say that luck and chance, also can bring about positive change in our circumstances. Winning
the Jackpot or having that chance meeting with a business associate or old time family friend can open Sesame doors full of enchanting opportunities.
As Bishop Jakes so eloquently
quipped in his book, Reposition Yourself, “as he departed from that town he watched from the air as the villagers clapped and danced at the showers of rain which to them signals prosperity and great blessing�, yet here in the western world, rain is seen as an inconvenience and deterrent to commercialism.
Changing our thoughts and pursuing that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, will ultimately bring positive change to our lives.
Paul
encouraged us in Philippians 4:8, if there be any virtue,
How we see our circumstance is the first phase of
and if there be any praise, think on these things and the
positive change within our reach, as T.D referenced
God of peace shall be with you. Changing how we
Jahi, a local Nairobi woman, whose home he visited,
think about our situation and carefully hand picking our
built out of dry branches and mortared with cow dung
actions can change our destiny from one of chaos to
and the aromatherapy oozing pungently from the holes
peace and pleasure.
and joints it held together, yet Jahi with the royalty of a
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DECEMBER 2015 By Raeann Beckles Creativity
can
happen
all year round, Sylvia of Sylk
anywhere and can be birthed
Handcrafted
from the most unique of
Accessories caters to both
circumstances. As such, for
locals and tourists alike. Now
Sylk Handcrafted Jewelry &
two years after Sylvia was
Accessories, this holds true.
asked to shed some light on
It was just two years ago post
job loss and a quest for survival that Sylvia CharlesDolcy gave birth to Sylk Handcrafted
Jewelry
&
Accessories. As Owner and Designer, Sylvia, caters to the mature woman and man, who have a keen eye and appreciation products.
for
quality
When
asked:
‘What makes your product significant to buyers?’ Sylvia quite
confidently
shared:
“My products are one of a kind,
semi-precious
which
are
compliment
pieces
made the
Jewelry
&
some of her achievements and challenges, it was here she candidly shared. “To date, the changing economy has impacted heavily on how people spend and as a result there is slow and even slower moments, when there is no business.” But, despite this, Sylvia has seen growth which
she shared: “The product line has grown from basic baubles
to
semi-precious
materials and that is now widely
accepted
by
customers.”
to
Going forward, Sylvia desires
mature
to open a small shop in a well
woman and man.” Though
trafficked area.
primarily operated by Sylvia,
she
over the past two years
which is only opened by
Sylvia’s late husband was her
appointments and on the
business
and
weekends. But ideally, she’d
financial advisor; a precious
love a place with greater
and powerful team indeed!
visibility that can be easily
partner
With her services available
operates
Presently from
home
accessible by her clients.
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DECEMBER 2015
Physique Pro Fitness By: Jerome "The Trainer" Greenidge
P
hysique Pro Fitness Consultancy (PPFC) is a per sonal training business which was established in the year 1999 and caters to everyone from the professional person to the average housewife. Since the demand for this type of business is high Trainer - Jerome Greenidge sought to differentiate himself from all the other trainers plying their trade. As such, Jerome committed himself to studying the most popular training concepts and testing them on his clients to determine which ones worked most effectively. After a couple years of combining concepts and experimenting, Jerome created his own training style which can be modified to fit any body type. Most of his clients see him on average two or three times a week at their home or office, as his business goes where ever the client is interested in being trained. Needless to say, most of Jerome’s clients train at home. Given his passion to share knowledge, Jerome educates his clients on not only proper nutrition but how to train on their own with minimum equipment, which is always a hit as his clients wouldn't have to further expense themselves. The service Jerome and by extension PPCF offers covers everything from when to train, target setting and constant assessments to see what works and what is not working.
Over the years Jerome have found that consistency is the main reason people stop training. In response to this, Jerome has devised a strategy which works and works well. The workouts in this strategy take no longer than 5 to 8 minutes, with minimum equipment requirement. What is more is that, the results from this method have been nothing short of outstanding and Jerome’s clients love it. Short intense workouts work great especially when combined with adequate nutrition. More importantly, this method has been such a hit that his clients have encouraged him to do a fitness app which is called the ‘8 Min Burn’, carded to be released August 2014. All in all Jerome ensures that his clients are happy and see results quickly. In his words “it doesn't matter if my clients are vacationing in France or staying in a beach house on the east coast. If they or the general population want a workout or tips on everything from how to acquire muscle, lose weight or get stronger, they can do so by visiting this facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/ provenphysique.” Jerome is looking forward to hearing from you soon so that he can help you achieve your best ‘bod’ ever!
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ACHIEVING YOUR FITNESS GOALS JUST GOT EASIER
Do you want to lose weight? Do you want to feel more energized?
I will train you in your gym, apartment, or home.
For $45-$55 Bds per training session - I will coach you on proper technique and give you the right type of nutritional counselling to make sure you reach your goals.
I'm here to help you look better than ever and feel your greatest.
Have you been working towards your goals with little to no success?
Tel: 246 830 3893
Contact me today and take a step in the right direction.
by Jerome Greenidge
by Angie Finlay
H
ow to Keep Calm, Cool and Collected Throughout the Holiday Season
Up to 25 percent of people experience some sort of holiday anxiety or depression, so if you’re dreading the approaching festivities, you’re certainly not alone. However, there’s no reason that a quarter of the population should be so uneasy, considering how many stress-relieving tools are at your fingertips. It can take some practice, but learning to plan ahead, adjust your obligations, and be more compassionate toward yourself can go far to making this holiday one to remember (for all the right reasons). Start with these 10 tips for managing stress over Christmas,
through the busy stretch ahead and into the New Year. Prioritize Everything It may sound vague, and perhaps it’s easier said than done, but simplifying your list of tasks and obligations should be at the top of your list.
It helps to ask yourself whether or not your household/job/relationships/world will collapse if this one thing doesn’t get taken care of. No? Well then, bump it to the bottom of the list. Prioritizing is an art, but you can learn it quickly when you’re forced to (and the holidays are the perfect push).
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DECEMBER 2015 Use your journal in any way you like, but use it
Stay Flexible
often: studies have found that making a habit out of
Whether it’s dinner, parties, gift-giving, or some
journaling brings the greatest benefit, no matter
other
what your ultimate goal.
wonderful
holiday
spectacle,
surprises
happen — especially when a lot of people are involved. If you’re going to make it through with
Go Easy on Yourself
your sanity and grace in place, you’ll need to learn
Nobody can do it all, and that’s perfectly alright.
to bend here and there.
There might be some disappointments over the
Remind
yourself
the
holidays
aren’t
about
perfection, but about fun, laughter and compassion. Since food plays such a pivotal role at this time of
holiday season, but keep in mind a lot of factors go
into any situation, and you never deserve to shoulder all the blame.
year, keep a bit extra in the freezer and a couple of
If a gathering doesn’t go as planned, so be it. There
takeout menus on hand to get you through the
will be others. The happiest people are those that
rough patches.
can let things go, leave failures in the past, and be kind to themselves. Always treat yourself as you
Lean on Loved Ones
would treat the people closest to your heart, and
Plenty of people will be feeling the festive spirit,
you’ll stay confident and caring enough to tackle
and those close to you will be happy to channel that
the next challenge that comes your way with grace
help and positivity wherever you might need it to
and dignity.
go. Don’t hesitate out of pride or a sense of responsibility, because holiday to-do lists are long, and often impossible to conquer on your own. Instead, learn to delegate, spread tasks around, and take up the first offer of help. In any case, it’s more fun to put together a feast with a bunch of helping hands, exchange smiles with neighbors, and
celebrate a holiday success with your closest circle of friends.
Treat Your Body Well Holidays are a time to indulge, there’s no doubt about that. But somewhere between that third helping of stuffing and fourth glass of wine, you might notice your patience begins to wane, your anxieties begin to creep up, and your resilience begins to falter. Too much drinking sets the stage for moodiness and depression, while overeating leads right to
Journal Often
fatigue and general weariness. Save yourself the
It’s no secret that keeping a journal can relieve pent
physical discomfort and emotional struggle by
-up stress, aggression and sadness. The simple act
keeping your treats within reason. Take comfort in
of writing down your thoughts and reactions is
conversation and warm atmosphere rather than the
incredibly cathartic, and can serve as a very helpful
buffet table.
record when trouble arises in the future.
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DECEMBER 2015 Lower Expectations It’s good to be optimistic, but if your relatives have had problems in the past, the perfect family gathering may not be in the cards this year. Family tensions can rise quickly, and an emotional blow-up can ruin a night, but not if you’re prepared for it. Consider how you’ll deal with feelings of anxiety or depression if the atmosphere or conversation takes a turn for the worse, and keep that in the front of your mind during the gathering. You can be the one to steer the conversation in another direction when things get rough, put aside personal contentions, and keep the focus on happier things. Exercise Often There’s a difference between manically running around from shop to shop and getting in a solid, heartpumping workout: one will breed stress, and the other will relieve it. Exercise should always be a priority, but schedules tend to shift and shuffle when the holidays arrive. It can be difficult to stay on track, but do your best to make time for your body and mind each and every day. A 30-minute workout is all you need to keep your mind refreshed and your body strong. Stick to a Budget You don’t need financial concerns on top of all your other concerns, so figure out a reasonable budget
early on and stick to it no matter what. It’s easy to fall into a pattern of dishing out a bit more here and there, but that will add up quickly. If you’re on a tight budget, keep gifts to a minimum, suggest potluck parties, and don’t feel too bad about bowing out of expensive restaurant gatherings. And whatever you have earmarked for the holidays, don’t rely on plastic — the more often you can use cash for your purchases, the easier it will be to keep tabs on how much you’re spending.
Reach out to Others One of the best ways to feel good is to give back, so make time for some charitable gestures. A night helping out in a food bank or shelter or volunteering some time at a local event can make a world of difference for people that need a helping hand. Getting involved with your community will forge new connections, lift your spirits and inspire you. If you’re not sure where to offer your help, check with a local community center, church or volunteer organization. Sometimes situations are just too much to bear, no matter how you adjust your perspective. Listen to your body and know when to take a breather. A short break from the frenzy can be enough to recharge and regroup, especially if you use the time to practice meditative exercises, positive visualization, or any personal mantras that keep you upbeat and in control.
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By: Julita Cumberbatch
M
any people hold the belief that people get
heavily beset you as you lay on the massage table in
massages just as a form of luxury because it
sweet abandon
makes them feel good. As true as this may be, there are many more wonderful and amazing benefits to getting a massage and the health benefits are the best of all.
Of course, it will take a few sessions to develop trust and comfort but as soon as this has been established you
begin to feel yourself letting go and to your amazement
The most obvious health benefit of massage therapy is it
you will begin to experience the wonderful feelings that
feels great! No doubt about it!!! The minute you walk
so many people enjoy at the hands of their massage
into your Massage Therapist’s Spa or Studio you are
therapist. Not only does your body relax but you
taken immediately to relaxation mode by the wonderful
experience a stillness that you have never experienced
scents of oils, peppermint, lavender, scented candles and
before, of both Mind and Body. As your massage
the serene and calm surroundings. Long before his/ her
therapist begins his/her work, you can feel your body
hands even makes contact with your person you are
letting go of the tension that was causing discomfort and
already in anticipation of your stress and tension being
irritation to you.
taken away and you forget instantly all of the cares that www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline
DECEMBER 2015 When your body goes into this state of relaxation and peace, it can be in itself, very healing both for your mind and body. The nervous system and body is brought back into balance and full energy, bringing
6. It helps relieve tension and stress headaches. 7. Massage enhances flexibility, mobility and joint range of motion.
about renewed health and well-being.
8. It reduces muscle spasms
For those of us who experience mood swings (both
9. It treats problems of the muscles and skeletal
men and women alike) getting regular massage therapy can do wonders for our mood. It alleviates
depression and its health sapping and energy draining, effects giving us renewed energy, helping us see things more positively and also calms us.
bones 10. It helps strained muscles and sprained ligaments heal faster 11. It helps reduce pain and swelling and reduces formation of excessive scar tissue (i.e. the tissue
It’s very important to find a massage therapist that
that forms the scar over a wound which is
you are comfortable with. Once you’ve accomplished
healed).
this, just the thought of knowing you have that time for yourself, begins the relaxation process and will do wonders for how you feel and will have a positive effect on your ability to let go of the stress you are experiencing in your life.
13. It helps manage arthritis pains as well as pains in
the hip and leg (sciatica pain) 14. 13. It boosts the immune system.
Listed are some more great benefits to getting regular massage
These are but a few of the many benefits of a massage.
1. Massage therapy helps us reduce stress
Taking time for yourself on a regular basis to let go
2. It helps relieve depression and insomnia (lack of sleep)
of daily stress with massage can have far reaching effects on your overall health. Your family benefit
3. It improves the circulation of blood through the body and takes oxygen and nutrients to the different body organs and tissues. 4. It
12. It reduces emotional and physical fatigue
stimulates
the
circulation
greatly because you are less stressed, less irritable and more positive to be around. Sometimes, we become so caught up with life and its demands that we do not take time out to relax and “smell the
of
roses.” Life is short and it makes sense to not only
the lymphatic system which helps to release
work to pay bills and take care of our families and
toxins and poisons from the body (that’s why it’s
kids but we need to care for ourselves as well.
important to drink plenty of water after a massage to help clean out the toxins!). 5. Massage helps lower high blood pressure.
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DECEMBER 2015
We care for the car – when the oil needs changing
for one hour at least and enjoy the healthy benefits
we listen out for the signs that tells us so, when the
of massage therapy.
brakes has a problem we know because of the sounds and signals we get but when our bodies give us signals that something is wrong we ignore it or
delay a visit to the Doctor until it’s too late.
If you want to receive all of the above benefits from your massage, it’s important to visit different massage therapists until you find one that you are comfortable with. Every massage therapist has his/
Sometimes because we are so busy making ends
her own personal style and feel that they bring to the
meet we forget what a caring touch is all about. A
massage experience. Your mind and body will be
touch from someone you love calms you and helps
happy you took the time to get them to experience
you feel loved and appreciated. The gentle caring
this wonderful feeling of rejuvenation. Not only will
touch of a professional massage therapist does the
they feel better but they will work better for you and
same. It brings you back in touch with yourself and
help you to relax, refresh and rejuvenate.
gives you a feeling of wellness. A feeling that, though everything is going mad with the world you will make it through. The massage “touch” enables you to “Be Still” for a moment and know that God is there and He will take care of all that plagues your mind and body.
Most amazing of all, you will look forward to even
more sessions and will be more health conscious as you see the many ways that your body positively responds to massage therapy and helps you relieve stress and feel totally at peace with yourself, others around you and nature on a whole.
You deserve to take care of you. If you don’t, no one else will, so move away from the hustle and bustle
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DECEMBER 2015
By Dr. Andrew Forde Phytophotodermatitis is a blistering skin condition caused by the reaction between plant chemicals and sunlight. The bizarre blistering and hyperpigmentation can be baffling for patients and doctors. The most common plant family that causes this condition is the Umbelliferae family. The main
photosensitising substances found in these plants are furocoumarins, which consist of psoralens and 5methoxypsoralens. These chemicals are used with ultraviolet light to treat Psoriasis.
When the skin comes into contact with these plants or their cuttings, linear vesicular lesions and brown streaks occur after exposure to sunlight. This reaction occurs within minutes or within 24 hours and reaches a peak at 48-72 hours. The areas heal leaving dark patches. Treatment of this dermatitis requires wet compresses and
topical
corticosteroids.
Antihistamines
sometimes used to reduce itching.
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are
Did you know that your body’s largest organ
the last time you visited a dermatologist?
is its skin? That’s right, the skin that covers
We’ll, if you’re like many Barbadians the
you from head to toe is an organ of the body
answer is probably never. At Skin Deep
that performs many vital procedures and
Dermatology, we’re here to remind adults
processes to help you live a healthy life.
about the importance of quality dermatologic
Despite the scope and importance of your
care.
skin, many people neglect to give this organ
dermatologist, it’s about time to stop into our
the specialized treatment it needs. When was
dermatology clinic in Bellville St Michael.
If
you’ve
never
visited
the
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin, nails, hair and its diseases. It is a specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist treats diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic
problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails.
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L
earning can no longer be considered something
There are four main categories within the realm of
that only occurs in an adult's early years, learn-
learning as a lifestyle and these are:
ing needs to continue over a lifetime for career and personal success.
Adult Education – this involves gaining qualifications and skills for work.
Everyone needs to know that learning as a lifestyle provides opportunities for intellectual, cultural exploration, and work place development. Within the workplace continuing education courses should be
Continuing Education – this is often seen as complementary, informal, or not-for-credit courses offered by higher education institutions.
offered as part of workplace packages, In my opinion
Professional Development – this describes work-
learning as a lifestyle provides opportunities for intel-
shops, continuing education units, and on-the-job
lectual growth. A person who continue to learn
training.
throughout their career also develop additional work
Self-Directed Learning – often referred to as personal
skills and this can also produce a sense of self-
learning which uses wide range of sources and tools,
satisfaction.
including online resources.
The secrets to a lifestyle of learning is to know that
Education benefits adult learners by keeping their
that early formal learning experiences cannot support
mind sharp, along with stimulating physical activity
us for a lifetime. Most people have multiple careers
for all around better health. With a lifestyle of learn-
today. This one fact leads to the need for a lifestyle of
ing adults expand their awareness, self-awareness,
learning so one can continually learn and prepare for
and development of skills for career advancement.
wherever the future brings. www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline
DECEMBER 2015 The following are some benefits of a learning as a lifestyle: Opening the Mind – is an important aspect of learning necessary to promote the free exchange of ideas and viewpoints. This is accomplished through enrollment in continuing education classes that provide opportunities to share and gain information. Sharing – when adult learners discover more about history, current events, latest trends, issues, and technology related to work or personal learning they typically want to share with others. This sometimes leads to cultivating the teacher within some adults. Natural Abilities – when adults with well-established lifelong learning skills reach retirement, they have the
opportunity to fully exploit their capabilities. One example is by participating in self-directed learning accomplished in non-credit academic courses, educational travel, or community education. Active Contributors – are not content to rest on their current knowledge, these lifelong learners contribute to others by offering their expertise in professional development activities and community education. Adapting to Change – lifetime learning helps adults keep up with the latest trends in the work place or personal lives. A self-directed learner spends time learning new ways of doing things with technology or the latest techniques for accomplishing work tasks.
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I
t can be embarrassing to make mistakes with communication. For example, if you send an email without checking it, and later realize that it contained an error, you can end up looking sloppy and unprofessional. But other communication mistakes can have more serious consequences. They can tarnish your reputation, upset clients, or even lead to lost revenue. In this article, we'll look at 10 common communication mistakes, and we'll discuss what you can do to avoid them. Mistake 1: Not Editing Your Work Mistakes with spelling, tone, and grammar make you look careless. That's why it's essential to check all of your communications before you send them. Don't rely on spell-checkers: they won't pick up words that are used incorrectly. Instead, proofread your work, and use a dictionary to look up any words that you're unsure about. You may find it helpful to make a list of words and phrases that you find it hard to get right (such as "your/you're," "its/it's," or "affect/effect"). Store this close to hand. It can be difficult to see errors in your own work, so consider asking a colleague to look over key documents before you distribute them. Alternatively, read your work aloud – this makes it easier to catch typos and tone errors. Then, give yourself time to reflect on your document, and to make any final changes.
Would you announce layoffs to your team by email or IM? If you did, you could upset everyone! Written communication channels don't allow you to soften difficult messages with nonverbal cues (such as body language), and they don't allow you to deal immediately with intense emotions. If you need to deliver bad news, do this in person, and think carefully about how you can do it sensitively, so that you can convey your message but minimize long-term upset at the same time. When you deliver a difficult message personally, you can pick up on signs that people may have misunderstood key parts of your message, or may have taken the information particularly badly. You can then take steps to clarify your message, or help people deal with the difficult news. Mistake 3: Avoiding Difficult Conversations At some point, you will need to give negative feedback. It's tempting to try to avoid these conversations, but this can cause further problems – in particular, you may let small problems grow into big ones. Preparation is the key to handling difficult conversations. Learn to give clear, actionable feedback, and use tools such as the Situation – Behavior – Impacttechnique to encourage your people to reflect on their behavior. You may also want to role-playyour conversation first, so that you feel confident in both your words and your body language.
Mistake 2: Delivering Bad News by Email 38
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DECEMBER 2015 Mistake 4: Not Being Assertive Assertiveness is about stating what you need, while considering the wants and needs of others. You may not always get your way when you're assertive, but you stand a better chance of getting it, or of reaching a compromise, because you've been clear about your needs. Use our Bite-Sized Training session on Assertiveness Skills to identify your needs, and to practice assertive communication. Assertiveness also means saying "no" when you need to. Our article "'Yes' to the Person, 'No' to the Task" explains how to turn down requests gently but assertively, while maintaining good relationships. Note: Assertiveness is not the same as aggression. When you're aggressive, you push to get your own way without thinking about other people's rights, wants, and needs. Mistake 5: Reacting, Not Responding Have you ever shouted at a colleague in frustration, or sent a terse reply to an email, without thinking your point through? If so, you're likely to have reacted emotionally, instead of responding calmly. This kind of emotional reaction can damage your reputation. You may upset people with your strong emotions, and give the impression that you lack selfcontrol and emotional intelligence. Mistake 6: Not Preparing Thoroughly Poorly-prepared presentations, reports, or emails frustrate your audience and, over time, damage your reputation. This is why it's essential to prepare and plan your communications carefully. First, set aside time to plan your communication thoroughly. Consider using tools like the Rhetorical Triangle and Monroe's Motivating Sequence to create a credible, intelligent, and compelling message that appeals to your audience's emotions, as well as to their intellects. Leave time to proofread, to find images, and to check that documents are compatible with your audience's
software. Then, if you are delivering a speech or a presentation, rehearse thoroughly, so that you are fluent and inspiring. Mistake 7: Using a "One-Size-Fits-All" Approach to Communication If you use a "one-size-fits-all" approach to communication, you may overlook people's different personalities, needs and expectations. In fact, your communications need to address those differences as much as possible.
If you're preparing a presentation, make sure that you appreciate that people have different learning styles, and that you cater for these. This means that everyone – from those who learn best by reading to those who prefer a more hands-on approach – can benefit from your session. Mistake 8: Not Keeping an Open Mind When Meeting New People Today's workplace is a melting pot of ethnicities, religions, ages, sexual orientations, abilities, and viewpoints. These differences create a rich tapestry of experiences and opinions that greatly enhance our lives. However, it can be tempting to stereotype new colleagues or clients, or to make assumptions about them based on just a few pieces of information. This is especially true if you haven't had much time to get to know them well. Assumptions inhibit open communication, because you don't consider the other person's own unique background, personality and experience. Over time, this can jeopardize your relationship with them.
So, set time aside to listen when you meet someone new. Give them space to talk about their viewpoints, and take time to absorb these. Then, learn how to manage cultural differences, so that you take each person's needs and expectations into consideration. If you often work with people from overseas, explore the idea of cultural intelligence, so that you can start to adapt your behavior when you come across people from different cultures.
39
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DECEMBER 2015 Mistake 9: Assuming That Your Message has Been Understood Always take time to check that people have understood your message. For example, when you send out an email, you could encourage people to respond with questions, or to reply if they haven't understood part of your message. Or, if you've given a presentation, build in time for people to discuss your main points, or leave time for questions at the end.
The key to good communication is to think about your audience's needs. Prepare each email, document, and presentation carefully, and give yourself time to check it. Above all, remember that communication is a twoway process. Be ready for questions, and listen to what your audience has to say. Over time, you'll find that good communication can greatly enhance your working relationships, and your job satisfaction.
Tip: To check that you've been understood correctly, use open questions that start with "how," "why," or "what." These encourage reflection, and will help your audience members to explain what they, personally, have taken from your communication. Mistake 10: Accidentally Violating Others' Privacy Have you ever forwarded a sensitive email to the wrong person, or sent an incorrect attachment? These kinds of errors can cause serious commercial problems, violate people's privacy, and lead to embarrassment and confusion. To avoid these problems, write sensitive messages before you select the recipient, and then double check their email address. If your email program automatically fills in email addresses, you could switch this feature off, so that you must consciously choose the right recipient. You may find it helpful to draft these emails in a word processing document or blank email, and then to paste the text into a new message. This way, you won't accidentally include any information from previous messages. And, if you're sending a sensitive or confidential attachment, check that no "tracked changes" or comments can be found, and make sure that you're sending the right version. Key Points Everyone makes communication mistakes from time to time. However, you'll protect your reputation if you avoid the most common errors, which include not editing your work, accidentally violating people's privacy when forwarding emails, and not being assertive. www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline
DECEMBER 2015
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Dr. Anita Davis-DeFoe
O
ur lives are much like theater; grand stages where
Our lives are meant to be filled with people and
dramatic and memorable moments unfold. But
experiences that foster joy, inner peace and happiness. As
unlike a theater where everyone is allowed to enter, each
spiritual beings having a human experience, our personal
of us must be selective about the audience that fills our
relationships with family, friends and significant others
personal theaters.
impact our capacity to journey well. Because of that fact, we have to pick the major “players� in our lives very
Everyone cannot be center stage in your life, or in some
carefully. You have to make certain that the people who
instances even given a seat on the front row. Some folks
comprise your front row deserve to be there. People who
need to be relocated to the balcony that is loved from afar.
are immature, selfish, unethical and lack emotional
You need to check out who you have given a seat in your
intelligence have no business sitting in your front row.
front row. If you are to achieve your goals as an entrepreneur or in your daily life, ask yourself have I
An endless string of non-meaningful, demeaning and
surrounded myself with dream champions or have I
toxic personal relationships; jobs that do not challenge
hitched my spirit and my personal space to dream
you, ignite your passions and tap your talents; ongoing
crushers.
draining and negative friendships; unresolved situations and constant drama; generational issues that plague a
The gift of life is given to us as a fascinating journey
family yet no one stops to seek resolution are just a few of
that should be directed by purpose, passion and
the countless factors that can hinder our full spiritual and
persistence. Without these three key ingredients, life can
personal growth.
quickly become unfocused, unfulfilling and unacceptable.
www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline
DECEMBER 2015 Routinely, we need to do some reflection about the
Complaining about how others treat us and doing
relationships and scenarios in our lives. From time to
nothing to change the situation, is like dishing out pea
time, we need to look closely and make sure that we are
soup into a bowl with a gaping hole in the middle. Until
not wasting precious time and energy with people who
something is done to correct the situation, the “soup
could care less, with people who do not respect you and
spills” and the “relationship gone sour.”
treat you as such, or become entrenched in situations where the people involved incessantly talk about the problem, but take no real action to resolve them.
People treat us as we allow, and if you do not feel you deserve good treatment, your expectations will be met and then some; sadly you will develop a pattern of accepting
Which of your relationships are uplifting, and which
this kind of conduct from your front row. Unleashing the
ones deflate? What relationships in your life provide
greatness within will be difficult as until we know who we
encouragement, and which of your relationships are
are, we aim low and we tend to accept anything.
discouraging? Do you know which of your relationships is growing positively upward, as well as which relationships
Decide what you want, and refuse to settle; settling only
are heading downward into decay? Are there certain
breeds dissatisfaction. Seek and wait for what your heart
people when you are in their company you feel better, and
truly desires, and true fulfillment will be yours. Allow
others who always fill you with self-doubt and self-
your talents and dreams to take you to your divine destiny;
loathing? Do the people on your front row know you,
that place where your daily work makes your heart sing.
understand you and appreciate you? Or are you wasting
Remember you can never change the behaviors, attitudes
your time trying to nurture and give life to relationships
and habits of the people around you, but you certainly can
and situations that can never meet your needs?
change the people you are around.
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BAJAN SUN MAGAZINE
DEC 2014
Tel: 1-246-830 3893 Email: pcmaintenence@gmail.com www.facebook.com/NerdTechBIM
DECEMBER 2015 2015
V
iruses and other kinds of malware slow your
XFINITY. Constant Guard is a free, comprehensive
computer
security service available for download here, or as a
down
and
leave
your
private
information vulnerable. Here’s how to protect your computer.
Scan for Spyware
To keep your computer healthy, it’s important to be aware of viruses and other malware that could slow performance, access your private information, and even delete
standalone download.
files
and
programs.
Malware is a harmful form of software that is used to
Spyware is a kind of program that is installed on your computer without your knowledge and sends your private information to an outside party. Comcast recommends users regularly check their system for spyware.
send spam, host a phishing site, or steal your identity by
Set Up a Firewall
monitoring your keystrokes without your knowledge.
A firewall controls the data that goes in and out of your
While there are several different types of malware, they
network and provides an extra layer of security from
can often be prevented with the same simple steps.
viruses. Using a firewall:
Here are some ways to make your computer better
Protects your personal information by barricading your
protected.
hard drive from worms, hackers and more.
Install Norton Security Suite
Records potentially hostile Internet traffic and alerts you — useful when reporting security problems.
Norton Security Suite is one of the most widely used computer protection programs. With Norton, you get
Monitors Internet and network activity, and controls
protection from a wide range of viruses, worms, and
application access to the Internet.
other malware that could harm your network devices.
If you do end up with a virus on your computer or laptop, contact us.
Norton Security Suite will also perform regular scans for viruses, worms, and bots and immediately remove any malware
detected
on
your
computer.
Norton Security Suite is included in Constant Guard by
We have what it takes to repair and solve your computer problems, contact us so we can help. CONTACT
US:
Tel: 1-246-830 3893 Email: pcmaintenence@gmail.com www.facebook.com/NerdTechBIM
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46
DECEMBER 2015
Typing Tricks
D
elete an entire word Instead of deleting a single letter, pressing CTRL + BKSP will delete the
entire word behind the cursor. This makes deleting text quicker if you screw up a whole word.
+ SHIFT + = for superscript. Paste plain text of what was copied When you copy text from any source, programs will usually copy any formatting that comes with it. To paste this as plain
Move Cursor to beginning of the next or previous
text, press CTRL + Shift + V instead of the standard
word Moving the cursor around manually while
CTRL + V, and the system will paste unformatted
typing is a great way to make your work take longer
text.
than it needs to. To speed of the process, move the
Note that many programs follow this parameter
cursor around with keyboard shortcuts. To move it to
(Chrome, Firefox, etc.) but not all, particularly
the beginning of the previous word, use CTRL + Left
Microsoft programs like Word or Outlook. For those
Arrow. To move it to the beginning of the next word,
there's a few alternatives that go beyond copying and
use CTRL + Right Arrow. In OS X you can
pasting in Notepad: 1) CTRL + ALT + V will show a
accomplish the same using the Option key.
'paste special' dialog box. 2) CTRL + Spacebar will
Making sub and superscript text If you need to make sub
or
superscript
text
(think
exponents
for
superscript), press CTRL + = for subscript and CTRL
remove
formatting
in
already
pasted
text. 3) Download Pure text and choose a hotkey to always paste plain text with it.
47
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BAJAN We build Creative, Effective & Professional Websites
Tel: 1-246-245-6629 | Email: info@bajansunonline.com www.bajansunonline.com/WebDesigns
designs
DECEMBER 2015
By: John Rampton
W
hether you’re providing a product, service,
traffic. And this can be difficult to accept when you’re
portfolio for your work or launching an
relying on your website as a source of income.
ecommerce storefront, your website not only should reflect you and/or your brand, it also needs to be the
Before investing a large amount of time and money into
central location for your business. There’s simply no
a website, take a step back and construct both a
other way around it. All of your marketing efforts lead
business plan and marketing strategy.
back to your website. Which is why it’s of the utmost importance to set up your website correctly.
When we talk about your business plan, we’re not discussing a lengthy document that covers every
Since creating an online presence seems like a daunting
scenario. Instead, a business plan should answer the
and tedious task, you thought that you could use a little
following questions.
extra help – at least with your website. If you avoid these 5 common mistakes, you can rest assured that you
have a fully functional site that’s ready to handle all of
What products or services are you selling?
What is your niche market and who are your target
your online business.
customers?
1. No Business Plan and Marketing Strategy
offering?
Unlike “Field of Dreams,” if you build it, they will not come. And, by they, we mean visitors to your website.
What solution to customer’s problems are you
Unfortunately, this is a common misconception people
Who are your competitors? Can you capitalize on their competitors weaknesses?
have when setting up their websites. They believe that they can purchase a domain name and will instantly see
What will your online presence consist of?
www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline
DECEMBER 2015 As for your marketing strategy, make sure that you
Even if you outsource some parts of your business,
have in place the following items. These will assist
you still have to keep a watchful eye on the business
you in generating website traffic and converting
structure. Just because it’s online doesn’t mean that
visitors into customers.
it’s run any different than a traditional business. In short, be prepared to spend a lot of time improving
An ecommerce analytics/tracking system, such
and adjusting your site. I would personally make a list
as Google GOOG -1.35% Analytics.
of everything you should do and start checking off
Understanding the difference between SEO and PPC.
Realizing
this list as they are completed. 3. Choosing the Wrong Host and ecommerce
the
importance
of
social
media
platforms.
Platforms In all honesty, there are a number of free hosts, like
Reviewing research on affiliate marketing and considering to sell through established, third-party platforms. Establishing a business plan and marketing strategy may be a lot of hard and daunting work in the beginning, both will guide you in setting up your website. Because this is an increasingly popular, and growing, field, there are more than enough online marketing strategies to help you. You can review these strategies to help determine what does and doesn’t work. Just keep in mind that there may be some areas, such as SEO and PPC, that may require outside help.
Blogger and Weebly, so why pay for a host? Especially when the free options are quick and easy to set up. However, there are number of issues surrounding free hosts. For starters, a lot of people will not take you
seriously if you don’t own your domain name (yoursite.com). Furthermore, certain functions, such as connecting with social media platforms, are not available. The biggest disadvantage, however, is that you don’t own the site or content. Suddenly spending the $5-$10 per month for host doesn’t send like a bad investment, does it As for ecommerce software, search for well-known
2. Underestimating the Work Involved If you think that setting up a website is a great way of gaining fast and easy money, you’re sadly mistaken. There’s actually more work involved than simply
services that have a good reputation, which means that they have been tested and are updated frequently. Examples include the following:
or Esty.com
taking an order and shipping a product. It’s a process that demands your full attention and will require a fair
A hosted ecommerce solution, think Shopify.com
Custom installation from popular ecommerce
amount of trial and error, such as which techniques
software programs; Magento, WooCommerce or
are working or not working in your attempt to drive
Cs-cart.
traffic to your site. www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/| info@bajansunonline.com | info@bajansunonline.com| @BajanSunOnline | @BajanSunOnline
DECEMBER 2015 4. Too Blog Focused We’ve all heard of WordPress, it’s one of the most popular blogging services around. However, it’s not always the best option to build a website; which many people are doing. I personally use WordPress for several of my sites, but not all of them. This isn’t knocking WordPress, it’s an incredible resource, it’s just that it doesn’t always fit in with how every site should
be organized. Unless you’re providing news, WordPress – or any blogging platform at that – makes it difficult to categorize a site and might not be the best option for your startup. In other words, blogging is a great tool when creating content to entice visitors, it just doesn’t always translate into an effective website. Don’t be too focused on just your blog. 5. Lack of Balance Between Design and Message Of course the design of your website should be visually
appealing, you don’t want people to leave your site screaming in horror, but it’s not everything. On top of having a website that’s easy on the eyes, it needs to convey the message you’re trying to present, such as your business objective, plan of action for visitors and the quality content that you’ve been busy creating. Every great website may look outstanding, but as people continue to read the copy, it fades into the background. Why
is this balance such a big deal? Because you don’t want the website’s design to distract visitors from the real reason that you created the website in the first place; your marketing message. While there could definitely could be more issues when setting up your website, these are 5 mistakes that you have control over and should be taken into consideration before unveiling your site.
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DECEMBER 2015
By Denise J Charles
T
here’s a common relationship scenario with which
regularity. He seems inclined to spend more time with
many of you ladies are familiar I’m sure. Girl
his boys or in pursuing personal interests like sports,
meets guy and she’s absolutely sure that this time he’s
gym-time or car-racing; basically anything that does not
the one. In the early stages everything seems to be going
include you. Of course if you’ve been having sex with
fine. There is terrific physical attraction and chemistry;
him, this may be the only thing he seems reluctant to
lots of deep staring into the eyes and long, passionate,
reduce.
exploratory kisses. There is also an inordinate amount
Then the nagging begins. Statements like “we need to
of time spent together doing fun things and going on
spend more time together”, “we need to communicate
romantic dates. And of course there is the regular
more often” or better yet a question like “where exactly
communication by telephone, cell phone, internet, it just
is this relationship headed?” begin to dominate each
does not matter; it seems that this couple can hardly get
waking moment of couple time. As much as you appear
enough of each other.
to be running in his direction with arms and
After a couple of months of heated intensity, however,
expectations wide open, he seems intent on escaping at
things start to peter off. Phone calls diminish in
break-neck speed; in the opposite one.
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DECEMBER 2015 Finally, in true retreat fashion, it becomes decidedly more difficult to keep tabs on your guy. The romantic escapades are few and far between and you begin to hear words from him somewhat like “we need to evaluate whether this relationship is what we really want” or worst yet, “we need to perhaps see other people”. Then you get that sickening feeling of disappointment and inevitability in the pit of your stomach. Another guy has done it to you; again. Just when you thought
you had him nailed, this man managed to slip through your fingers like hot butter. Now all you are left holding are his promises and your aching heart. You vow with all the estrogen-laden venom you could muster, never to let another man do this to you again; ever. For the number of ladies who’ve found yourself in this scenario, there are perhaps a few questions you should attempt to answer. Why do guys tend to disap-
pear from around you after a couple of months? Why do you seemingly make poor relationship choices? How do you know when you’re really in love with someone versus being in love with love? Are you doomed for repeated relationship failure? The Disappearing Act
tain a relationship for the long haul. Sounds familiar? Then there are the guys who tire of the girl who is just too eager to please sexually. I've known of situations where there appears to be an intense interest shown by a man. He is seemingly motivated to pull out every charm trick from the bag to win the apparent girl of his dreams. He may even confess to her that finally he’s met a girl who he can comfortably introduce to his mother. Before this sentence is completed the poor girl is hearing wedding bells and planning bridesmaids dresses. So what does she do? She gives him her juicy red apple. As if on cue, after a few licks, nibbles and bites, he tosses her apple in the bin in search of new fruit; so much for her premature wedding dream. Of course some guys will walk because they simply don’t possess a decent bone in their bodies or an
ounce of integrity. They want to “mess with your head” to get your sex because a woman, to such jerks, is nothing more than a conquest to be boasted about. To be fair, others will run out on you just because they have not a clue as to how to make a relationship work. They know that they are out of their depth
There are a number of reasons why guys find a need to call it quits. Whether after a few months or a couple
of years, some guys have perfected the art of securing their walking papers. In the movie Disappearing Acts, starring Wesley Snipes and Sanaa Lathan, the star,
when talking to a decent woman and prefer to disappear, than make a fool of themselves by falling too deeply in love. Such guys are afraid of deep intimacy and run from the vulnerability which is an inescapable part of a committed relationship.
played by Snipes, finds a need to walk away after a
So it’s not all about the girl when a guy disappears
brief co-habiting scenario. It appears that he felt pres-
from off the scene. Very often, he has his own set of
sured by his inability to contribute financially to the
issues to resolve but is not man enough to admit this.
relationship; plus his woman had “hoity-toity” educated friends and he felt decidedly insecure. While the physical sparks were flying between them regularly, it
became evident that good sex was not enough to sus-
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DECEMBER 2015 reasons. Some of these, as this article suggests, are
Through Rose-Tinted Lens
grounded in flawed relationship habits but others may
I admit that I am a die-hard romantic. I was schooled
be hinged on the guy's own glaring flaws, how each of
on romance novels. I cry at movies and at weddings. I
you were socialized as well as your past experiences.
love romance and I love love. But there is a fine line between being a soft-hearted romance buff and making uninformed choices because we are really in love with the idea of a romantic relationship. Women who are in love with love usually promise themselves a partner or
a husband by a certain age or stage of their lives and mean to have it come what may. They are also often hooked on the “pleasant feelings” or emotional high of being “in love” and will go to great lengths to experience this repeatedly.
Keeping yourself happy in or out of love should perhaps begin with a clarification of your own relationship expectations, your values and a resolve not to “settle” for less, no matter how sweet the promise of loving may be. It must also be conditioned by a healthy dose of self-acceptance and self-love. Loving you, means that you are slow to make decisions which could put your emotional or physical well-being at risk. This should mean really taking your time to get to know a guy before bolting headlong into
The fall-out to this propensity for viewing life through rose-tinted glasses, is that a man can be repainted to fit our mental or emotional script or we can re-frame a
really poor relationship scenario because we can’t imagine giving it up. This is slightly different from the woman who tries to change the bad-boy; at least she is aware of his flaws but believes that her undying love has the power to transform. Women, who are in love with love, gloss over the truth that is staring them in the face. In other words these are women in denial so they choose to see what they want instead of what is really there. Such women in the grips of illusion are
usually then devastated when they are forced to accept that their guy has either walked out for good or is not interested in taking the relationship to another level.
a relationship. Celebrating who you are, all by yourself is also a critical factor in securing the love you want. I am not speaking here about vain self-absorption or narcissism but rather a healthy outlook of the self. This may mean journaling and reflecting upon your past relationship issues to make sure there are no more repeat mistakes. It should also include seeking counseling where necessary and splurging on yourself those things you really want instead of depending or waiting on a guy to give them to you. The confident woman who knows who she is and what she wants, is likely to be sexy and attractive to any man worth his salt. Finally, it is absolutely necessary to believe that you deserve happiness whether you are in or out of a
Will I Ever Be Happy?
relationship. Being with a man should not define who
No woman should live a life that is characterized by
you are. Ultimately, you must realize that you have it
one relationship failure after the next. While the trend
within your power to make the right choices, to secure
may be to look inward and blame the self, chances are
the happiness you desire.
that your relationships go awry because of multiple
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IN THE By Charmaine J Forde
Mrs. Vilma Bradshaw later, Vilma sat the Common Entrance Examinations and attended Ellerslie Secondary School between 1980 and 1986. Throughout her teen years, she was encouraged by older persons in her neighbourhood and some of the teachers at Ellerslie to always strive for excellence.
After leaving school, Vilma worked in the private sector for almost seven (7) years editing books for print in the USA and UK. This gained her four promotions within six and a half years. During this stint, she received many incentives, accolades and awards for her exceptional work performance including Most Improved Employee of the Year and Star Performer of the Year. Vilma joined the public sector and has been employed by the Government of Barbados for over 15 years. She has been promoted twice so far and is now a Hansard Reporter (Ag.). In 1999, she was not only the Project Leader for the creation
H
ailing from the rural part of Barbados, Vilma grew up in St. Lucy hearing about other persons whose
roots also began in that lovely northern parish, persons such as the late Right Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, the late Right Excellent Charles Duncan O’neal, Sir J. E. Theodore Brancker and many others. The death of her father in August 1979 was very traumatic for her and her
family (her mother and four older brothers). Nine months
of Parliament’s Website, but she also researched the information, typed it and co-edited it with the Caribbean's leading authority on parliamentary practice and procedure, the former Clerk of Parliament, the late Mr. George Brancker. Her boss Mr. Brancker as well as one of her coworkers, Mrs. Lila Salazar, saw her zeal and encouraged her to pursue studies at the University of the West Indies in none other than Linguistics.
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DECEMBER 2015
This mother of two beautiful daughters - the elder who followed in her footsteps and also attended Ellerslie Secondary School - holds a Secretarial Certificate from the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic (SJPP); a Library
Assistant
Certificate
from
the
Barbados
Community College (BCC); a Supervisory Management Certificate from the Barbados Institute of Management and Productivity (BIMAP) and is currently pursuing her
undergraduate degree in Linguistics at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. Vilma has served as the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of the Erdiston Nursery School PTA where she was Journalist, Photographer, Editor and Publisher of their first newsletter entitled AFirst Breath@. This newsletter was forwarded to the Ministry of Education by the Principal of the School and it was herald as the newsletter to be emulated by other pre-schools. She also founded of
the West Wood Park Neighbourhood Watch, was Interim President for two years and held the position of Secretary there for almost three years.
Vilma also sat on the
Executive of the Ellerslie Secondary Alumni Association in 1999 and was the Public Relations Officer (PRO) for the current Association from 2008 up to 2010. She is also the creator and administrator of the Ellerslie Old Scholars group on facebook which has almost 1,750 members, the largest secondary school group on facebook in Barbados to date. Vilma’s hobbies are travelling, listening the music, motor racing and playing dominoes. Vilma is self-motivated and believes that if you are going to do anything you should do it to the best of your ability.
Mrs. Vilma Bradshaw I salute you! Charmaine J. Forde is a continuing Education Student at Community College of Philadelphia and Soldier’s Angel.
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T
he purpose of communication is to get your message
across
to
others
clearly
and
In a recent survey of recruiters from companies with
unambiguously.
more than 50,000 employees, communication skills
Doing this involves effort from both the sender of the
were cited as the single more important decisive factor
message and the receiver. And it's a process that can be
in choosing managers. The survey, conducted by the
fraught with error, with messages often misinterpreted
University of Pittsburgh's Katz Business School, points
by the recipient. When this isn't detected, it can cause
out that communication skills, including written and
tremendous confusion, wasted effort and missed
oral presentations, as well as an ability to work with
opportunity.
others, are the main factor contributing to job success. In spite of the increasing importance placed on
In fact, communication is only successful when both the
communication skills, many individuals continue to
sender
struggle with this, unable to communicate their thoughts
and
the
receiver
understand
the
same
information as a result of the communication.
and ideas effectively – whether in verbal or written format. This inability makes it nearly impossible for
By successfully getting your message across, you
them to compete effectively in the workplace, and
convey your thoughts and ideas effectively. When not
stands in the way of career progression.
successful, the thoughts and ideas that you convey do
Getting
not
a
progressing. To do this, you must understand what your
communications breakdown and creating roadblocks
message is, what audience you are sending it to, and
that stand in the way of your goals – both personally
how it will be perceived.
necessarily
reflect
your
own,
causing
your
message
across
is
paramount
and professionally. www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline
to
DECEMBER 2015 You must also weigh-in the circumstances surrounding your communications, such as situational and cultural context. Communications
Message... The message is the information that you want to communicate.
Encoding... Skills
–
The
Importance
of This is the process of transferring the information you
Removing Barriers
want to communicate into a form that can be sent and Communication barriers can pop-up at every stage of the
correctly decoded at the other end. Your success in
communication process (which consists of sender,
encoding depends partly on your ability to convey
message, channel, receiver, feedback and context – see
information clearly and simply, but also on your ability
the diagram below) and have the potential to create
to anticipate and eliminate sources of confusion (for
misunderstanding and confusion.
example, cultural issues, mistaken assumptions, and missing information.) A key part of this is knowing your audience:
Failure
to
understand
who
you
are
communicating with will result in delivering messages that are misunderstood.
The Communications Process Diagram Channel... From "The Mathematical Theory of Communication,"
Copyright 1949, 1998, by the Board of Trustees of the
Messages are conveyed through channels, with verbal
University of Illinois. Used with the permission of the
including
University of Illinois Press.
videoconferencing; and written including letters, emails,
face-to-face
meetings,
telephone
and
memos, and reports. To be an effective communicator and to get your point across without misunderstanding and confusion, your
Different
goal should be to lessen the frequency of these barriers
weaknesses. For example, it's not particularly effective
at each stage of this process with clear, concise,
to give a long list of directions verbally, while you'll
accurate, well-planned communications. We follow the
quickly cause problems if you criticize someone
process through below:
channels
have
different
strengths
and
Decoding...
Source...
Just as successful encoding is a skill, so is successful
As the source of the message, you need to be clear about
decoding (involving, for example, taking the time to
why you're communicating, and what you want to
read a message carefully, or listen actively to it.) Just as
communicate. You also need to be confident that the
confusion can arise from errors in encoding, it can also
information you're communicating is useful and
arise from decoding errors. This is particularly the case
accurate.
if the decoder doesn't have enough knowledge to understand the message.
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DECEMBER 2015 Receiver...
Add to My Personal Learning Plan can also confuse the
Your message is delivered to individual members of
message.
your audience. No doubt, you have in mind the actions or reactions you hope your message will get from this
Barriers in context tend to stem from senders offering
audience. Keep in mind, though, that each of these
too much information too fast. When in doubt here, less
individuals enters into the communication process with
is oftentimes more. It is best to be mindful of the
ideas and feelings that will undoubtedly influence their
demands on other people's time, especially in today's
understanding of your message, and their response. To
ultra-busy society.
be a successful communicator, you should consider
these before delivering your message, and act
Once you understand this, you need to work to
appropriately.
understand your audience's culture, making sure you can converse and deliver your message to people of
Feedback...
different backgrounds and cultures within your own
Your audience will provide you with feedback, verbal
organization, in this country and even abroad.
and nonverbal
reactions
to
your communicated
message. Pay close attention to this feedback, as it is the only thing that allows you to be confident that your audience has understood your message. If you find that
there has been a misunderstanding, at least you have the opportunity to send the message a second time. Context... The situation in which your message is delivered is the context. This may include the surrounding environment or broader culture (corporate culture, international cultures, and so on). Removing Barriers at All These Stages To deliver your messages effectively, you must commit to breaking down the barriers that exist in each of these stages of the communication process. Let's begin with the message itself. If your message is too lengthy, disorganized, or contains errors, you can expect
the
message
to
be
misunderstood
and
misinterpreted. Use of poor verbal and body language
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DECEMBER 2015
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64
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DECEMBER 2015
65
B U S I N E S S
C L A S S I F I D S
Roses, Gift Baskets & More
Sundown Gym - Total Fitness Centre
OPENING HOURS Mon - Fri: 4:30 am - 9:00 pm Sat: 8:30 am - 9:00 pm Sun: 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
Lsj-Stylez caters to both natural and chemical clients providing services such as braiding, salon locking, weaving, relaxers, etc. I also offer services of eyelash extension and personalize styling. I'm a stylist with 10+ years in the industry and I am currently operating in Bridgetown. Contact information - 2328611 / 256-5076
Receiving a gift of fresh flowers is always a thrill and T’Amor Florist makes sending that excitement to your loved ones easier than ever before! We send flowers to any location island wide. Visit us online at: www.tamorflorist.webs.com or call: 4297784
Tudor Street Bridgetown, Barbados Tel: (246) 236-1105 Visit Sundown Gym on Facebook
The inspiration behind the Daresqué swimwear conceptualizes confidence in you as a woman and a personality that dares to stand to out. Dare to be risqué View Swimwear on Daresque’s facebook page, twitter and Instagram. Contact Email: daresque@gmail.com www.daresque.com
Boyceterous Cruises is one of the newest recreational vessels cruising the coastal waters of Barbados. Boyceterous Catamaran Cruises offers tours consisting of swimming with the turtles in the crystal clear waters of Barbados. www.boyceterouscruises.com/
At Debbie's Sweets N Treats we cater for everyone with our freshly baked cakes and pastries. We also produce vegetarian and gluten free sweet treats by order. If you have a small party or function we can cater for you. Remember you name it, we bake it! Find us on Facebook: Debbie’s Sweets N Treats
To book a reservation call us at 246.429.2228 or 246.256.7979. Email Us at boyceterous@gmail.com
At ROCKiT DeZigns it's all about fantastic Jewellery pieces that match your taste, personality and sense of style. Our mission is to empower women. To give them a safe environment to learn about sexual health and to give them permission to know their bodies, strengthen their romantic relationships, and to encourage open communication with their healthcare providers.
Visit Our Website: http:// www.reapleasureproducts.com 66
Strictly Bajan Rum Shop Tours Connecting Tourism with Barbadian Culture, Heritage and Traditions in one tour to our local village/rum shops.
Email: rockit.dezigns7@gmail.com Facebook: ROCKiTDeZigns Twitter: http://twitter.com/ ROCKiTDeZigns
Call (246) 844-7008 Email: strictlybajanrumshoptours@gmail.com www.bajanislandtours.com
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DECEMBER 2015
B U S I N E S S
C L A S S I F I D S
Le Crouton Superieur
Tel: 8303893
Cakes, Pastries and delicious treats.
Healthy Fruit Juices are homemade recipes from fresh fruits and vegetables delicious and healthy with every serving.
Contact 1 246 2582815 Email: jamellsmall@gmail.com Facebookhttp://facebook.com/ theindependentchef
Computer Services
LIME: 251-2375 DIGICEL: 267-9788 Facebook: Healthy Fruit Juices INC.
Animal Flower Cave Shawn Fields Photography
Signature Photography focuses on Automotive ,Wild Life, Landscape, Nature And Portrait Photography Mission is to Showcase what Barbados has to offer to the world.
PortFolios. Portraits · Food · Weddings · Landscapes · Personal Projects. Options. Children and Family · Maternity · Newborn #94 Midsummer Drive, Bridgetown, Barbados 23035(246) 230-2620 Website: shawnfields.info/
North Point, Barbados Opening Hours; 4:30 pm
Mon - Sun:9:00 am -
Tel: 439 8797 Websitehttp://s-ward.wix.com/ animalflowercave Find us on Facebook: animalflowercave
Contact (246) 823-7920 Email: signatureimagerybb@gmail.com Facebook: SignatureImagery.bb
Bajan Association of Rum Shops
Website: www.firestormk9training.com Facebook: THE Dog Trainer Barbados Email: the_dogtrainer@yahoo.com Telephone # (246) 243-4338 67
Bajan Association of Rum Shops Promoting Barbados & Working to Save Our Rum Shops, their Cultural Input & Heritage Call (246) 245-6629 Email: info@bajanrumshop.com Website: www.bajanrumshop.com Facebook: BajanRumShops
Physique Pro Fitness Consultancy Tel:1-246-239-7184 Email : jeromegreenidge@hotmail.com Facebook: ProvenPhysique
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W W W. B AJ ANI S L A ND TO U R S . CO M
DESTINATION BARBADOS
T
here are many things to do in Barbados! But, we recommend embarking on an exciting Bajan Island Tour. Our tours allow you to fully explore the exotic coral island, with excellent beaches, rolling hills and many deep ridges, completed with a fascinating distribution of flora and fauna. Among the anomalies that make this island unique is the phenomenal formation of the two land masses that form this truly amazing island paradise.
Bajan Island Tours has put together a series of outdoor adventure tours that we like to call “the best of the best” – experiences that allow you to explore the wonders, feel the thrills, and surrender completely to the unparalleled grandeur of Barbados! We guarantee that each and every one of our packages will show you the “roots” of Barbados. So, come on down and experience the exhilarating, romantic, and adrenalinepumping variety of Barbados Island Tours which we offer amid this breathtaking island wonderland! There is so much to learn about Barbados! Where do you start? This section will give you a good base of information to get a feel of the island, what we are about and where we came from. www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline
DECEMBER 2015 As of mid 2000, the population of Barbados was recorded at some 274,540. The diverse ancestry of the island attributes to its current unique cultural blend which includes Arawak Indians, British settlers, European Indentured Slaves, African Slaves and East Indians. Overall, the people of Barbados (or Bajans as we are known) are quite friendly; so fitting in with locals will lend itself quite easily to your peace of mind.
Barbados is an island of the Lesser Antilles, 21 miles in length, as much as 14 miles in width and divided into 11 parishes. It is located at 13.4N, 15.4W. The island is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic Ocean and 100 kilometers east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea. Barbados is relatively flat with the exception of one major high point, Mount Hillaby, which measures approximately 1,115 feet or some 343 metres above sea level. The west coast of Barbados offers calm, clear water which is quite conducive to your many beach activities; while the east coast opens up beautifully to crashing waves and an environment that is more suited to sun bathing, walking, jogging, surfing and even meditation.
The Tourism Industry in Barbados is impetus for the economic development on the island as it has impacted significantly on the lives of all Barbadians. It is a very vital aspect of the economy of Barbados and it is always within our best interest to ensure that your comfort and safety is first and foremost. Despite this, we still strongly recommend you exercise caution with regards to your valuables and even frequenting certain areas.
Barbados is awash with history, the arts, nightlife, fine dining, and even luxury living. Getting around the island is a ‘breeze’ (pun intended) as options are somewhat endless when it comes to your choice of transportation. The people of Barbados are quite helpful when it comes to giving assistance with regards to making your way around the island. The main language of Barbados is English but bajan dialect (broken English) is widely spoken as it is almost a natural way of life. We can’t promise you that you will always be able to make complete sense of what the people of Barbados have to say; but, we recommend you give it a listen and even a try, as it will only augur well to adding a ‘sunshine feel’ to your stay on the island. www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline
DECEMBER 2015
H
ere are five of my top pieces of customer service
• Make every page (not just the homepage) of your
expert advice. Paste these to your mirror, work
website welcoming, clear, and complete — in mobile
on them daily, and your competitors will never know what hit them. 1.
and full-sized versions. • Make sure you’re truly accessible, online and off, to
Obsess over the beginning and ending of the
customer interaction. Because of how human memory works, you have to get these moments right if you want your customers to remember their time with you pleasantly.
people with disabilities, and to people who just aren’t all that familiar with how you do business. Note: Not only are beginnings and endings crucial, but they often start before you know it. ‘This principle is exemplified by Disney obsessing not just about how
—for example–
their
• Empty that trash bin out front. Touch up that landscaping by the front door. Make it clear where you’re supposed to park your car, or chain your bicycle
actual
parks
look,
but
about
how
the surrounding neighborhood looks as well: because the guests’ entrance to “the park experience” starts before the actual entrance.
(not,by default, to the rail of the wheelchair ramp).
The same is true—maybe even more so—online: What
Have plenty of change ready if customers have to use
is their first impression of you online? (It’s probably not
metered parking.
your website.) Is there anything you can do to improve
• Hire nicer people to do your online chats, answer your
this?
phone, handle your email inquiries.
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DECEMBER 2015
check in via kiosk in a five star hotel) may be 2.
Do the hustle. A perfect product, delivered late,
feels like a defect.
(And the timeline for what
completely off-brand for what you’re trying to accomplish.
customers consider “late” is continually getting shorter.)
And be gentle: Few customers like to be forced into a particular channel for service.
If you have to be slow, you’d best work hard to re-
define expectations or to change the customers’ experience of time. For example:
4.
Don’t just be good—be memorably good. If you
don’t create a memorable experience for your customers, your story won’t spread.
Customer
Work your line the way Ari Weinzweig at
service is indeed the new marketing, or at least it is an
Zingerman’s in Ann Arbor and the Batali family at
incredibly
Salumi here in Seattle do, turning a round-the-block
marketing resonate by matching it with the truth of
wait into a communal, loyalty-building event, with
your business.
powerful
support
that
makes
your
samples and welcoming words So don’t only be nice; be nice in a memorable On the phone, offer callback times at the customer’s
way.
convenience if you can’t answer immediately;
even quirkily nice… you get the idea.
Nuance
technology,
for
example,
offers
Extra nice, quickly nice, authentically nice,
this
functionality; you may have experienced this option as a passenger if you’ve called Southwest Airlines during a peak period.
5. Learn to apologize. Things will go wrong. (Things will go right and yet customers will perceive them to be wrong–it’s the same thing.) Prepare for this, emotionally as well as operationally.
3. Offload the transactional–in a way that suits your company’s
customer
service
style. Customers appreciate it when you streamline or automate transactional details, the things machines can do as well or better than humans.
Be intelligent about doing this, however: Certain types of transactional offloading (being forced to
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JUNE 2015
A
Barbados
a
glorious
Some of our fondest childhood memories are running on the
wooden
bar-come-
beach outside John oore’s Bar in St. James; eating flying
convenience store, many of which are simply extensions of
fish that was roasted over an open beach fire within minutes
the owner’s home. They are institutions in their own right,
of the boat coming in, accompanied by a local guitar-
often having been established for decades and frequently
playing legend.
with international acclaim.
pleasure of the freshest fish imaginable! Another spot not
thing.
rum
shop
Traditionally,
is a
Several of our artwork pieces
depict the glory of rum shops; true Caribbean culture. Folklore says that they were traditionally built close to a cemetery so that mourners could drown their sorrows. We have no idea if this is true but, in the case of Barbados, which, reputedly has the highest number of Churches per square mile, you would be hard pressed not to find a rum shop in close proximity.
Much has been written about
them; often inaccurate. In reality, they are no more scary than a British Pub and you would be amazed at the people you meet in them.
We have seen world class tenors,
international rock stars with their supermodel wives and even ‘South Fork’ Divas all enjoying this important part of
Locals and Tourists alike enjoying the
to be missed is ‘Nigel Benn Aunty Bar‘ in St. Andrew. (Yes, that really is the name.) The famous boxer bought the bar for his beloved Aunty out of his earnings and in appreciation she included him in the moniker.
For the
yummiest pork cutter (salt bread roll with roast pork) that you will ever eat, try the Heineken Bar near to The Garrison Savannah racecourse. We don’t know what the shop is really named, but ask anyone in the area and you’ll find it is known as that. Hot roasted Bajan Pork in a thick, rich,
seasoned gravy and a smidgin of hot pepper sauce washed down with an ice cold Banks beer – it doesn’t get much better than that.
local culture. Walk in with a genuine smile and a relaxed
Or, for those that prefer the nightlife, Baxter’s Road in
attitude and you will receive it tenfold in return and, if you
Bridgetown is infamous. As with any inner city in the wee
are lucky, you may even be invited to join a game of
small hours, this adventure does require a great deal more
dominoes;
afternoon’s
caution. Try the notorious Enid’s for authentic fried
adventure. Drinks are served by the bottle (or half) with a
chicken, or for the more adventurous, a gizzard cutter
bowl of ice and the mixers sold separately. The beers are ice
although, for most of us, by the time you think that this is a
cold and the food ranges from good to superb.
good idea, you probably should have gone home hours ago.
which
in
itself
is
an
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THE
FOOD & CULTURE TOURS
STRICTLY BAJAN RUM SHOP TOUR
Have a delicious taste of history while sampling local rum and mouth-watering LOCAL CUSINE on the TOUR. Join us ON the Strictly Bajan Rum Shop Tour! for a look back in time at the rum history, culture and heritage in Barbados. Hear stories of Old Bars, making of Rum, learning local traditions and more. It’s the Real McCoy!
BAJANISLANDTOURS.COM
74
246.844.7008
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STRICTLY BAJAN RUM SHOP TOURS S
trictly Bajan Rum Shop Tours - a very special Morning tour of The Rum Shop Culture & Barbadian Heritage. As the name suggests this tour is strictly local and seeks to provide visitors with a truly Authentic Barbados Experience. As such, this tour exposes our guests to Traditional Rum Shops, Traditional Bajan (people), Traditional Food and Local Beverages. But even more, our 'visiting friends' have the opportunity to be part of our Culture, and Heritage. The tour incorporates on bus fun activities, games and competitions. While the tour is fun it is also educational and informative, allowing for a fun learning environment. This being said, our tour begins with a visit to the facilities of the world's oldest Rum and pioneer of fine liquor: Mount Gay Visitors Centre. Following this, our tour proceeds to visit three (3) Rum Shops: where our guests can indulge in Traditional Dishes and Beverages and be delighted by local craft and entertainers. On route to the first Rum Shop stop visitors are provided with a sample of Claytons Kola Tonic (Sponsor)
Buljol and one (1) Banks Beer (Sponsor): part of the All Inclusive Package. On route to the third Rum Shop stop visitors are provided with a sample of Claytons Kola Tonic with Mount Gay Rum (Sponsors) Third Stop: Rum Shop and Traditional Dish: Visitors interact with shop owner/s who provides our guests with a brief history of their establishment as well as Local Lunch and a glass of Claytons Kola Tonic mixed with Mount Gay Rum (Sponsors): part of the All Inclusive Package. At this final stop guests are also entertained by local artists and are delighted by local arts and crafts. Please note, the Rum Shops are alternated on a per week basis. Tour Days: Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday Tour Time: 10:00am to 2:00pm Tour Guide: Knowledgeable about our Barbadian Culture/Friendly and Personable Tour Driver: Experienced and Safe
First Stop: Rum Shop and Traditional Dish: Visitors interact with shop owner/s who provides our guests with a brief history of their establishment as well as Mini Cutters: Ham/Egg/Cheese and a glass of Claytons Kola Tonic (Sponsor): part of the All Inclusive Package. On route to the second Rum Shop stop visitors are provided with a can of Claytons Kola Kick (Sponsor) Second Stop: Local Bar and Traditional Dish: Visitors interact with shop owner/s who provides our guests with a brief history of their establishment as well as a Local Pickle Dish: 75Chicken Foot/Pudding and Souse/
Tour Transport: Fully Air Conditioned 40 Seater Coach Tour Security/Safety: First Aid Kit on board with trained First Responder Tour Cost: Tourist: $65.00 USD/ $130.00 BDS - All Inclusive Package. Locals: $ 50.00 USD/ $100.00 BDS Visit our website and view our other tour packages. Contact Tel: 1 246 844-7008 Email: strictlybajanrumshops@gmail.com Follow us on twitter: @RumShopsTours Visit us online: www.bajanislandtours.com
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The way you react to frustrations is down to choice.
Everything can be taken from a man but the last of human freedoms – the ability to choose one's attitude in a given set of circumstances, to choose one's way. – Viktor Frankl, "Man's Search for Meaning."
W
e've all been in one of "those" situations before. You know... when your favorite project is
cancelled after weeks of hard work; when a customer snaps at you unfairly; when your best friend (and co-worker) is
those who can handle their emotions, and work well under pressure. As the above quote shows, no matter what the situation is, you're always free to choose how you react to it.
laid off suddenly; or your boss assigns you more work
So, how can you become better at handling your emotions,
when you're already overloaded.
and "choosing" your reactions to bad situations? In this
In your personal life, your reaction to stressful situations like these might be to start shouting, or to go hide in a corner and feel sorry for yourself for a while. But at work,
article, we look at the most common negative emotions
experienced in the workplace – and how you can manage them productively.
these types of behavior could seriously harm your
Why are we focusing only on negative emotions? Well,
professional reputation, as well as your productivity.
most people don't need strategies for managing their
Stressful situations are all too common in a workplace that's facing budget cuts, staff layoffs, and department changes. It may become harder and harder to manage your emotions under these circumstances, but it's even more important for you to do so. After all, if management is
positive emotions. After all, feelings of joy, excitement, compassion, or optimism usually don't affect others in a negative way. As long as you share positive emotions constructively and professionally, they're great to have in the workplace!
forced into making more layoffs, they may choose to keep www.bajansunonline.com/MAGAZINE/ | info@bajansunonline.com | @BajanSunOnline
DECEMBER 2015 Common Negative Emotions at Work In 1997, Bond University professor of management Cynthia Fisher conducted a study called "Emotions at Work: What Do People Feel, and How Should We Measure It?" According to Fisher's research, the most common negative emotions experienced in the workplace are as follows: Frustration/irritation. Worry/nervousness. Anger/aggravation. Dislike. Disappointment/unhappiness. From "Emotions at Work: What Do People Feel and How Should we Measure it?" by Cynthia D. Fisher. School of Business Discussion Paper; No. 63, February 1997. © Copyright Cynthia D. Fisher and the School of Business, Bond University. Below are different strategies you can use to help you deal with each of these negative emotions. Frustration/Irritation
Frustration usually occurs when you feel stuck or trapped, or unable to move forward in some way. It could be caused by a colleague blocking your favorite project, a boss who is too disorganized to get to your meeting on time, or simply being on hold on the phone for a long time. Whatever the reason, it's important to deal with feelings of frustration quickly, because they can easily lead to more negative emotions, such as anger. Here are some suggestions for dealing with frustration:
Stop and evaluate – One of the best things you can do is mentally stop yourself, and look at the situation. Ask yourself why you feel frustrated. Write it down, and be specific. Then think of one positive thing about your current situation. For instance, if your boss is late for your meeting, then you have more time to prepare. Or, you could use this time to relax a little. Find something positive about the situation – Thinking about a positive aspect of your situation often makes you look at things in a different way. This small change in your thinking can improve your mood. When it's people who are causing your frustration, they're probably not doing it
deliberately to annoy you. And if it's a thing that's bothering you – well, it's certainly not personal! Don't get mad, just move on. Remember the last time you felt frustrated – The last time you were frustrated about something, the situation probably worked out just fine after a while, right? Your feelings of frustration or irritation probably didn't do much to solve the problem then, which means they're not doing anything for you right now. Worry/Nervousness
With all the fear and anxiety that comes with increasing numbers of layoffs, it's no wonder that many people worry about their jobs. But this worry can easily get out of control, if you allow it, and this can impact not only your mental health, but also your productivity, and your willingness to take risks at work. Try these tips to deal with worrying: Don't surround yourself with worry and anxiety – For example, if co-workers gather in the break room to gossip and talk about job cuts, then don't go there and worry with everyone else. Worrying tends to lead to more worrying, and that isn't good for anyone. Try deep-breathing exercises – This helps slow your breathing and your heart rate. Breathe in slowly for five seconds, then breathe out slowly for five seconds. Focus on your breathing, and nothing else. Do this at least five times. For more on this, read our article on Physical Relaxation Techniques Add to My Personal Learning Plan. Focus on how to improve the situation – If you fear being laid off, and you sit there and worry, that probably won't help you keep your job. Instead, why not brainstorm ways to bring in more business, and show how valuable you are to the company? Write down your worries in a worry log – If you find that worries are churning around inside your mind, write them down in a notebook or "worry log," and then schedule a time to deal with them. Before that time, you can forget about these worries, knowing that you'll deal with them. When it comes to the time you've scheduled, conduct a proper risk analysis Add to My Personal Learning Plan around these things, and take whatever actions are necessary to mitigate any risks.
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When you're worried and nervous about something, it can
signs when anger is building, so learn to recognize them
dent your self-confidence. Read our article on Building Self
when they begin. Stopping your anger early is key.
-Confidence Add to My Personal Learning Plan to make
Remember, you can choose how you react in a situation.
sure this doesn't happen. Also, don't let your worries get in
Just because your first instinct is to become angry doesn't
the way of being appropriately assertive Add to My
mean it's the correct response.
Personal Learning Plan.
If you start to get angry, stop what you're doing – Close
Anger/Aggravation
your eyes, and practice the deep-breathing exercise we
Out-of-control anger is perhaps the most destructive emotion that people experience in the workplace. It's also
described earlier. This interrupts your angry thoughts, and it helps put you back on a more positive path.
the emotion that most of us don't handle very well. If you
Picture yourself when you're angry – If you imagine how
have trouble managing your temper at work, then learning
you look and behave while you're angry, it gives you some
to control it is one of the best things you can do if you want
perspective on the situation. For instance, if you're about to
to keep your job.
shout at your co-worker, imagine how you would look. Is
Try these suggestions to control your anger:
your face red? Are you waving your arms around? Would you want to work with someone like that? Probably not.
Watch for early signs of anger – Only you know the danger
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DECEMBER 2015 To find out more about managing your anger at work, take our self-test How Good Is Your Anger Management? Add to My Personal Learning Plan Also, read Dealing with Unfair Criticism Add to My Personal Learning Plan and Anger Management Add to My Personal Learning Plan. Dislike We've probably all had to work with someone we don't like. But it's important to be professional, no matter what.
Here are some ideas for working with people you dislike: Be respectful – If you have to work with someone you don't get along with, then it's time to set aside your pride and ego. Treat the person with courtesy and respect, as you would treat anyone else. Just because this person behaves in an unprofessional manner, that doesn't mean you should as well. Be assertive – If the other person is rude and
downs, right? And it's the hills and valleys that often make life so interesting. Adjust your goal – If you're disappointed that you didn't reach a goal, that doesn't mean the goal is no longer reachable. Keep the goal, but make a small change – for example, delay the deadline. Our Back On Track Add to My Personal Learning Plan article provides practical steps for recovering from a major career setback. Record your thoughts – Write down exactly what is making you unhappy. Is it a co-worker? Is it your job? Do you have too much to do? Once you identify the problem, start brainstorming ways to solve it or work around it. Remember, you always have the power to change your situation. Smile! – Strange as it may sound, forcing a smile – or even a grimace – onto your face can often make you feel happy (this is one of the strange ways in which we humans are "wired.") Try it – you may be surprised!
unprofessional, then firmly explain that you refuse to be
Key Points
treated that way, and calmly leave the situation. Remember,
We all have to deal with negative emotions at work sometimes, and learning how to cope with these feelings is now more important than ever. After all, negative emotions can spread, and no one wants to be around a person who adds negativity to a group.
set the example. To learn more about handling dislike in the workplace, please see our articles on Working With People You Don't Like Add to My Personal Learning Plan, Dealing With Difficult People Add to My Personal Learning Plan and Egos at Work Add to My Personal Learning Plan. Disappointment/Unhappiness
Know what causes your negative emotions, and which types of feelings you face most often. When those emotions begin to appear, immediately start your strategy to interrupt the cycle. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to pull yourself away from negative thinking.
Dealing with disappointment or unhappiness at work can be difficult. Of all the emotions you might feel at work, these are the most likely to impact your productivity. If you've just suffered a major disappointment, your energy will probably be low, you might be afraid to take another risk, and all of that may hold you back from achieving. Here are some proactive steps you can take to cope with disappointment and unhappiness: Look at your mindset – Take a moment to realize that things won't always go your way. If they did, life would be a straight road instead of one with hills and valleys, ups and
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PRIVATE TUTORING
SUBJECTS AVAILABLE: English | Math | POA | POB Days: Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays Package: Hours: 4-5pm and 5-6pm each day (Tue/Thur) Saturdays: 1-2pm, 2-3pm, 3-4pm, 4-5pm
Affordable Rates Contact: Tel: 1-246-844-7008 Email: NEOPrivateTutoring@gmail.com
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DECEMBER 2015
Benefits of Private Tutoring By Raeann Beckles
I
f your aim is to improve your aptitude and knowledge base in a particular field, all education pertaining to this subject will be useful. If this statement is assumed true, then the benefits afforded by private tuition are enormous. You will have the advantage of a whole teacher to yourself, with their lesson plans and strategies of teaching designed just for you! It seems impossible to doubt the enormous benefits this will offer. In a classroom, one teacher may be faced with approximately thirty pupils, each with different abilities, different rates of learning, and individual strengths and weaknesses. Yet despite this, for the majority of the lesson the teacher will be forced to treat his class as if it contained just one student. He or she will orate from one end of the classroom, unable to gauge how effectively each pupil is assimilating the lesson. The lesson plans will be designed to fit the needs of the average pupil; and the teacher will proceed at a rate suitable for the average pupil. In this environment it is all to easy for a bright child or adolescent to fail to grasp one particular point, as the swathe of teacher talk washes over them like the unrelenting tides. It is unlikely even the best of teachers would spot the particular point of misunderstanding cast on the countenance on one pupil, hidden amongst so many other faces. To draw attention to their lack of understanding can be intimidating for the pupil: everyone else is silent, so they must have understood. Do I want to draw attention to myself? All too often the misunderstanding goes unexpressed and unaided. The obvious benefit of one to one tuition is that the tutor can tailor their teaching style to the abilities of their student. They will be able to gauge the level of the pupils understanding, and, more importantly, track down the sources of misunderstanding, and deal with them effectively. Away from the bustle of the classroom, the student will feel more able to voice their difficulties; and having just one pupil to deal with, the teacher will be more
capable of resolving them.
Other subjects Subject: Days:
available: POA and POB English/Mathematics/POA/POB Tuesdays/Thursdays/Saturdays
Package: Hours: 4-5pm and 5-6pm each day (Tue/Thur) Saturdays: 1-2pm, 2-3pm, 3-4pm, 4-5pm If you, your child or anyone you know, require personal assistance in any of the above areas, then you've come to the right place/person. This course caters to children and adults alike. It's all about you or someone you know understanding, learning and moving forward to achieve their academic goals. Parents see below: 1. Parents are free to aselect the time/day best for their child. 2. This package is ideal for kids who need that additional push and help with understanding concepts etc. Creative tools (music/games/challenges/ other creative activities) will be used to ensure the child benefits/learns. 3. As we approach exams, the course is expected to intensify, focusing on pass papers, practice tests using exam conditions. Mentoring is also provided at this stage to ensure that the child is well prepared all-round for exam. 4. Should you (parent) require a copy of my CV, please feel free to request such. Upon reviewing my CV, you may see an area that you think your child can also benefit from. Please feel free to inform me of that area which will allow your child to gain even further knowledge/ skills. Contact Information: Raeann Beckles at 1-246-844-7008 or NEOPrivateTutoring@gmail.com
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DECEMBER 2015
Margaret was born in Trinidad and as a child she enjoyed painting, drawing, crafting and creating structures with blocks. In her early teens she started designing and creating her own clothes and it was around this time that her entrepreneurial and business skills surfaced. Her first income generating venture was creating and selling Christmas tags. Other business ventures included creating one-of-a-kind ladies outfits, sewing shirts and baggies for men and tie dying bolts of cotton fabric for several stores in Trinidad. From a young age Margaret dreamed of becoming an architect and living in Barbados, her childhood holiday home. She gained a Bachelor of Interior Design from Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in Canada and this intense course in Interior Architecture and Space Planning fulfilled her dream career. In 1986, during an extended holiday in Barbados, she started a new business venture, Nock Abouts, manufacturing hand dyed and hand painted garments through her company Nock Associates Ltd. It was a success from inception and creating fabric designs soon took priority over interior design, making her dream to live in Barbados a reality. Following the birth of her son in 1992, Margaret closed the doors to Nock Abouts, spent a year raising funds for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and then opened The Pot Warehouse, importing clay pots, baskets and ceramics from Trinidad. While at school, Margaret won many prizes for her artistic talents. However her studies, business ventures and family responsibilities took priority over her art until she resumed painting in 1994. Her original dry brush painting style took on a new direction when she began participating in workshops overseas and started experimenting using bigger brushes, high quality pigments and lots of water. She now enjoys the medium with a colorful confidence, and although most of her paintings are pure watercolors, she occasionally enjoys experimenting with watercolors combined with wax resist, gesso and other mixed media. Margaret paints buildings, local flowers and landscapes and especially loves painting Bajan chattel houses because they are bright and colorful and each one has its own unique features. With her background in Interior Design, she is often commissioned to paint clients’ homes, hotels and special buildings both in Barbados and overseas. Due to a hereditary, genetic eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Margaret has lost most of her peripheral vision. Although this has restricted her mobility considerably, she still raises funds for the NICU and continues to paint and share her watercolor experience, and sells cards and prints of her original watercolors through Nock Enterprises Inc.
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DECEMBER 2015 Margaret Nock Rodriguez is a well known watercolor artist, living and painting in the tropical island of Barbados. She portrays the life and style of the Bajan past and present through her interpretations of homes, boats, fruits, flowers and plants for which she has ardent collectors. Her delightful watercolors are vibrant and joyous much like what you expect from life in the Caribbean. NOCK Enterprises Inc. (formerly Nock Associates Ltd)., was established by Margaret Nock Rodriguez, in 1986, with the very successful launch of Nock Abouts comfy, hand dyed and hand painted Caribbean casual wear. They first started publishing in 1998, producing four note cards, using images from original watercolors painted by Margaret and have increased their publishing business to include a large selection of cards and prints of Margaret's artwork. In 2010 they were marketed as NOCK Creations. Every year between October and December, part of the proceeds from the sale of these cards is donated to the Parents Neonatal Intensive Care Charity to help with the upkeep and maintenance of the NICU at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
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DECEMBER 2015
events that showcase Caribbean Fusion Cuisine and she has also been called on as a spokes person for nutrition at the Barbados Family Planning Association and on national radio. She has featured on stage and in the international media as an artist and celebrity chef, featuring at many events from the NCF Read In to the Barbados Food Wine and Rum Festival. REBEL GLAM has been chosen to perform poetry and awarded for her writing from a very young age and has continued the love of poetry and short stories into adulthood, even pursuing English Literature as her first course of study and then going on to excel as one of the top students in her year in Culinary Arts. (She was one of the core members of the League of Extra-Ordinary Poets - a unique group of local performance poets) and she has had her poems published in a poetry anthology called 11 words, 9 lines which was released in California by a fellow poet.
Selena REBEL GLAM Dodson was born in New York and raised in Barbados by a Jamaican mother and Barbadian father. She is a loving wife and mother, chef specializing in Caribbean Fusion Cuisine, writer and performer/ recording artist of songs, plays and spoken word poetry. Her passion for the arts is unlimited and she has created fan base for herself in her local culinary arena and also in the arts community. REBEL GLAM’s outgoing personality and professionalism awarded her many opportunities and she is known for her YouTube presence and also for several television appearances on different programs on the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation’s channel 8, including spoken word performances and cooking demonstrations. She is particularly recognized for her recently aired television show "REBEL GLAM'S KITCHEN" where she fuses culinary art with other arts genres. REBEL GLAM also created and currently hosts an event called D ARTS LIME in order to showcase local talent. REBEL GLAM has hosted many
Selena REBEL GLAM Dodson is always creating. She recorded a self titled album in 2012. It is a mixture of songs and spoken word pieces which touch on the beautiful aspects of love, self-love and life. In 2013 she released “The Realist”, an online spoken word collection. Recently she has written an inspirational book entitled “Love Yourself More”, and her first cookbook called “A Few of my Favourite Things”, is soon to be released. Her forthcoming album two is entitled “I am Selena Lael” and it is jazz soul peppered with Caribbean influences. REBEL GLAM is always working on several artistic projects, and will also be penning more books in the near future. The term “REBEL GLAM” is defined as being glamorous without conforming to society’s often detrimental standards of beauty. REBEL GLAM strongly believes that our youth need positive role models from both sexes. Her philosophy is that all persons should be passionately in love with themselves in order to overcome insecurities and excel. She believes that all persons have many facets and that we should avoid the boxes that society may try to fit us into, and instead, follow our own dreams and excel. She seeks to include guidance and truth in her art forms and to use them to better the world for the sake of our children. REBEL GLAM is woman. Black, open, broken and glued, blessed and grateful. Phenomenal.
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DECEMBER DECEMBER 2015 2015
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I miss being in Barbados in December,
The barrels on top of the Lorries and the vans,
That is a time I always remember.
the cases of sweet drinks and the baking pans.
The smell of varnish on the wooden floors
The young people in town buying a new Christmas
and the smell of paint on the wooden doors.
dress The smell of hair that yuh mudda just press.
The smell of cloves as the ham was baked And the smell of the rum, in my mudda fruit cakes.
The crowds in de Supermarket
The smell of coconut as she baked de sweetbread
Buying up the rum,
and the smell of the cloth as she made up de bed.
And the music blasting Puh rup a pum pum.
The sounds of "moussa" as he played "Nat King Cole"
I am usually glad when de New Year BEGINS.
The sounds of "Lassie" as he played‌"Coming in
A month later, "Courts and Manning come back fuh
from de cold".
the things."
The hustling and the bustling of the bajans buying Christmas gifts
The sights of Taxis, giving Bajan Yankees a lift.
Author: Š Charmaine J Forde
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DECEMBER 2015
Christmas is one of our favorite times of the year in Barbados. Great Cake, Jug Jug and Ham! Food is an important part of any celebration in Barbados and Christmas is no different. Three must have dishes on any Christmas table are: great cake, jug jug and baked ham. The baked ham begins by studding a cured ham with cloves. During baking the ham is basted with a glaze (pineapple and sorrel glazes are favorites). For many, the crispy ham fat (we call it crackling) is the best part! A simple and easy traditional Christmas ham with a delicious pineapple glaze. Here is a sample recipe. Baked ham Yield: 12 (6-ounce) servings Ingredients: 1 (5-pound) frozen ham, cured and fully cooked, defrosted Whole cloves 1/2 cup pineapple jam 1/4 cup water Equipment: Knife
Roasting pan with rack Small Saucepan Whisk Basting brush Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the rind (skin) of ham by running a knife along the edge and peeling it back with your hands Remove some of the excess fat leaving at least 1/4-inch of fat around it. Take a sharp knife and cut crossways and then diagonally to create a diamond pattern. Set ham on rack of roasting pan. Stud ham with cloves in the center of each diamond-cut; transfer ham to preheated oven
Meanwhile, gently warm pineapple jam and water in a small saucepan, whisking to incorporate. Baste ham with pineapple jam glaze one hour after it has been in the oven, and every 1/2 hour thereafter until the ham has been baking for 2 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees F. Remove from oven and let rest, covered with foil to keep warm, for 10 – 15 minutes before carving.
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By Raeann Beckles “The artist’s role in society, I believe, is to show truth, beauty and love...to speak truth, to empower, to inspire, to think outside conventional lines and boundaries.” Jamal Ince
T
here is a reason behind every passion and every piece of art created by an artist; for Brooklyn based artist, Jamal Ince, the same is true. The purpose behind his creations is simple and honest: “I make art because I have a need to express myself, to create. But, art can be so solitary. That is why I like to bring other artists together -like how a band leader brings an ensemble together. The whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.” As an artist, painting, curating and teaching visual arts encompasses his line of services offered in New York City. Jamal was born in Brooklyn of Barbadian parentage. He moved to Barbados when he was five years old and lived with his grandparents in Belleville, St. Michael. He attended Erdiston Primary School, but later returned to New York at the age of 10. He would spend the next several years going back and forth between Brooklyn and Barbados.
Formally trained as a photographer, Jamal primarily worked in black and white. He shared: “One night, I had a dream about color. The dream began in black and white with muted gray tones. I remember my brother and I were running down the driveway of my grandparent’s house in Belleville. As we were running, rats began running alongside of us. Then rain started to fall. And when the raindrops hit the rats, they turned into swirls of vivid water colors. That dream was surreal. On my trips to Barbados, I would talk with Ras Akyem and Ras Ishi about art and politics. One time I brought them a book on Basquiat after seeing a retrospective of his work at the Brooklyn Museum. They were taken by it and began painting in that style. They said that my photographs were good, but they said that I should start painting. This was around the time I had the dream. I began painting after that.”
DECEMBER 2015
In his earlier days, Jamal use to take black and white
force that inspires you to create and share beauty and
photographs of nature on his trips to Barbados. Then
truth.”
his subject changed to capturing light and shadow. After that, he would create narratives in a studio and
While, Guernica by Picasso, as well as the works of
photograph those set-ups.
Sharing further he
Ras Ishi and Ras Akyem's encompasses Jamal’s
indicated that he likes the texture and color of African
favorite artworks; Jamal will like to be compared to
masks so he would also get masks and costumes and
Ras Ishi, Ras Akyem, and Ras Ilix.
stage people in a scene and photograph them. Then he started to get bored with conventional photographs,
Jamal was also questioned about the work he most
so he did long exposures and large format prints.
enjoys doing; and this is what he had to say: “I enjoy
Jamal also started reversing the printing process by
working on murals, public murals, and public works
exposing the print to chemicals at different times.
because the community gets involved. While I was
After this, he started painting with light using the
painting this one particular mural in Flatbush, people
camera. When asked: ‘What art do you most identify
kept coming up to me saying "Kompas, Kompas" and
with?’ – Jamal expressed: “The artwork of children is
speaking to me in Haitian Kreyol. It was like being in
intriguing. Picasso said that you should strive to keep
Little Haiti.
a child like spirit in your work. He said, "It took me
saying; “Hi, Mr. Ince!” When I was painting that
four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint
mural, even bees and butterflies started landing on the
like a child." My favorite artists have a childlike
painting. I enjoy helping to beautify the community,
quality to their art. You see it in my work as well.”
transforming the community from this gray concrete
One of my students even walked by
into color and culture. I also painted sidewalk murals A lover of working at nights, while playing jazz and
for the Masood clothing store, the Joloff Restaurant,
sometimes hip hop or reggae, Jamal would usually
and Bratta in Ft. Greene.”
have an idea in his head, which he then sketches before laying colors and patterns down. For Jamal
Being a very thorough and passionate artist, Jamal’s
working on more than one piece at a time, thus going
complements his work through research of his
back and forth between pieces layering in color and
supporting and enticing passions. He shared: “I like to
paint; has become an important part of his creative
read about African history, in particular African
process. As he shared: “The search for truth and
cosmology, for example the Dogon society of Mali.
beauty and love are integral to the process of an artist.
I’m interested in how different cultures describe
Love is the search for truth and beauty. Love is a
creation. I also like to read about the lives of American jazz musicians. Miles Davis is a favorite.”
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