When I heard of the passing of famous Jamaican journalist and radio Talk Show Host, Wilmott "Mutty" Perkins, this morning, I was deeply saddened.
"Mutty" Perkins had been a journalist for the better part of sixty (60) years and a radio Talk Show Host for the better part of fifty (50) years.
This stalwart of a man, was a very balanced journalist, who was never afraid to speak his mind and the truth.
He taught on his programme, "Perkins on Line" about everything, from...
...life - he stressed the importance of marriage, being a responsible family man and the need for equality and justice for all Jamaicans
....to politics - he ensured that the listening public truly understood Jamaica's political history...from a balanced point of view.
He was a husband who was completely dedicated to his wife Elaine...
...who, when his sight and hearing failed him - became his eyes...his ears.
In his final days, he became ill, with his program "Perkins on Line" being hosted by the very capable, Joan Williams and later, by another capable Talk Show Host - Michael Anthony Cuffe.
"Mutty" Perkins transitioned at 1:06 a.m this morning, at the age of eighty (80) years old.
We, at Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog, dedicate "Now We are Free" by Enya and the theme song of "Gladiator", to the memory of "Mutty" Perkins (just listen, will you? :)).
We hope, "Mutty", that Jamaicans will truly be free to understand that Jamaica is for Jamaicans and those who love her and not for those who would abuse politics to destroy her.
Mutty...may your soul rest in peace.
Our deepest condolences to his wife and the rest of the Perkins family, his Power 106 FM family and the Jamaican media fraternity. (Power 106 FM is the radio station that currently hosts "Perkins on Line").
(Just a note re the lyrics of "Now We are Free" in the above video #2..the linguists claim that Enya would often sing in her own language - yes, she made up her own language based on Irish Gaelic.
1) Are geared towards fostering a deeper appreciation of and bonding with your sweetheart/love interest, but also for allowing you both to "see" each other up close.
2) Include the discussion on "what are the most exciting places to go with my Valentine?", as mentioned in our previous post.
NB: The best time to do these activities is 1-2 weeks after Valentine's Day to avoid the heavy Valentine's Day traffic and Valentine's Day crowds.
The following definitions will be used throughout this post:
1) New lovers -Those assessing whether or not they should begin a new relationship or those at the beginning stages of a new relationship
2) Old lovers - Those persons who've been in relationship or married for over 2 years.
3) Caveat - Warning, caution.
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1) Driving, Biking or Taking the Bus to Access a Scenic Location That Overlooks the City or the Sea.
Also plan for a picnic at the destination.
Pros
a) Just the drive or ride to and from your destination, will give you two lots to talk about
b) Seeing a different view of the city, or just being somewhere that you've both been dying to go, is a great foundation for a renewed appreciation of life and your place in it.
Being in this idyllic setting also allows your creative and business juices to flow, fostering great bonding time with your love interest, as you share ideas.
a) You may be attacked if your idyllic spot is deserted ... please choose heavily-visited areas to avoid this.
2) Go to the Amusement Park/ a Fun-filled Attraction
If you're both the adventurous type and you don't suffer from heart conditions or high blood pressure - this is a must do!
Pros
a) For the thrill-seekers, this will be a boon to your Valentine's Day, as you both can spend some quality time enjoying one of the thrills that will make your relationship special
b) New lovers: You get to see the bare, stripped down version of your love interest, as his/her emotions range from fear to total delight, when experiencing some of the rides
c) Gives you lots to talk about on the return journey home.
Con
a) If your stomachs haven't settled after eating, persons may throw up, if the rides are really daring.
3) Go Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
Being underwater can be a memorable and great experience if you love water, as your mind's eye is opened up to this whole new world, under the sea.
Caveat
a) Ensure that you book your trip after Valentine's Day, to avoid long airline wait times, however.
b) To go scuba diving it's best to find a dive resort where you can be PADI certified - which is attainable with a face-to-face instructor, within 5-days.
Again, please take pictures or videos to remind yourselves of the experience.
Pros
a) This experience will last for many years to come
b) Meeting other scuba diving/snorkeling enthusiasts increases your network of cool people to know.
Con
a) This activity is not for those who can't to swim or who're not comfortable being in the water.
4) Go Camping
Yes, by all means do go camping, if you both like the outdoors.
For new lovers: You get the chance to relax and assess your love interest's resourcefulness in the outdoors. You also get the opportunity to assess just how comfortable he/she is with him/herself and with you.
For new and "old" lovers: Gives you some alone-time to talk, relax and enjoy nature, away from the hustle and bustle of home life.
Pros
a) Many camp sites give you the opportunity to see the beautiful, unabashed, rugged aspect of your country or region, that is seldom seen, or seen from afar, if you live in the city
b) You get to experience nature, first-hand and really have a renewed appreciation for life.
c) Lots of time to talk when travelling to the camp site, during camping and on your return journey home
d) Allows some getting-close time, without interruptions.
Cons:
a) A lot of planning is needed if going to a rustic site; less planning is necessary for lighter camping
b) For new lovers: Camping brings out the best and worst in people. You may discover some deep faults (that you may have difficulty living with) and have to assess whether or not to continue in this particular relationship, after these faults are exposed.
c) Insect bites will ruin your camping experience, if you don't wear proper clothing and/or use insect repellent
d) If your camp site is in a protected animal reserve, your failure to follow camp-site rules, Guide or Rangers' instructions will lead to animal infiltration of your camp...it's not a great experience confronting a bear.
5) Visit a Historic/Heritage Site
If your country, culture and/or family history mean a lot to the two (2) of you, then do visit an (ancestral) heritage site or a site germane to your identity and/or culture.
Caveat: If you visit a site that's far away from home, maybe it's best to rest at the location overnight, before proceeding home (if there's provision for same).
Pros
a) Gives you both a greater appreciation for who you are and where you're coming from
b) Should spark deeper bonding between both of you.
Cons
a) Your visit may be so regimented, that you two don't get enough alone-time
So, please visit a site where there is an equal balance of the two
b) If you don't wear proper clothing and shoes, you'll feel uncomfortable if you have to climb stairs.
Try wearing outdoor gear and comfortable sneakers or shoes with enough traction, so that you won't slide on slippery surfaces.
6) Visit the Zoo
Animals in a zoo open your mind's eye to the presence of other animals in our world that may not be known to you.
Use the experience to learn about these animals, where they're from and their survival skills in the wild.
Read the information boards and listen to presentations re these animals to really learn something new that you both can discuss on your journey home, or at another time.
Additionally, wild life and zoos do something to most men...in that you get to see these gentlemen stripped bare down to their primal roots.
So you'll see if he teases the animals, makes apes sounds or just enjoys horsing around ..just a fun way to get to know your lover (new and old).
Pro
a) Gives you the chance to see your lover's interaction with and appreciation of animals.
Con
a) Not for persons who are not animal lovers.
7) Skiing Anyone?
For lovers still experiencing snowy conditions..why not learn a new skill together..like skiing or snowboarding?
Ok, I'll admit that these two activities are for the more adventurous.
But learning together helps you gain deep insights into each others' personalities.
Ski resorts are full of seasoned instructors willing to help you master this skill.
So, why not take a ski/snow-boarding trip together to deepen your bonding experience?
Pros
a) new lovers: Helps you assess your love interest's willingness to learn and be taught.
Cons
a) Gear may be a bit on the expensive side, so rent if you need to :).
Well, we've come to the end of "7 Absolutely Most Fun Things to do With Your Valentine!"
We hope that you'll be able to use one or more of the above suggestions, to have great fun with your Valentine, 1-2 weeks after Valentine's Day!
A big Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog congratulations go out to Gifton Wright, of Kingston College, who won this year's Gleaner Spelling Bee Championship.
[The Gleaner Spelling Bee Championship is an annual event put on by the Jamaica Gleaner, where top spellers across Jamaica, compete for prizes and the right to be called Spelling Bee Champion for the applicable year.
The two-stage competition begins in August, with the Parish Championships - where top spellers in each of the 14 Jamaican parishes compete for prizes and the title of parish Spelling Bee Champion.
The second stage (which occurred on February 2 this year), sees the 14 Parish finalists compete for the title of Gleaner Spelling Bee Champion.
Spellers have to spell long and very intricate words from the Oxford Dictionary...the dictionary used in Jamaican schools.
The competition's main sponsor is the Jamaica Gleaner's Children's Own Newspaper - the only newspaper available on island, for children at the Primary Level of our educational system].
As with all Jamaican Spelling Bee Champions, Gifton will represent Jamaica at the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition to be held in Washington DC, between May 27 and June 1 of this year.
Gifton's face showed relief (he had placed 4th last year), when he won and it was heartening to see the look of satisfaction, pride and victory on the Rev. Glen Archer's face when he realized that one of his students had won.
[Rev. Archer, who also coached runner-up Davian Stewart, has consistently coached several Spelling Bee Champions over the past 20 years].
Gifton, as with most students in the competition, has the right approach to life:
He stated in Gleaner article, "Gifton's The Champ!", that, "You have to make sacrifices to get big things" and that "after winning the Kingston Parish Championship, he told himself he was going to win..trained hard and ended up champion" (paraphrased).
Their responsibility will be to review laws (legislation) passed in the Lower House of Parliament.
The Jamaican constitution allows for 21 senators: 13 to the governing/ruling Party and 8 to the Opposition.
The People's National Party has appointed 13 and the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party, 7 senators, so far, according to the PNP's majority in Parliament.
The PNP Senators are:
Rev. Stanley Redwood - President of the Senate
Angela Brown-Burke - Deputy President of the Senate
Mark Golding
Flloyd Morris
Mavil Clarke
AJ Nicholson
KD Knight
Sandrea Falconer
Wensworth Skeffery
Imani Duncan-Price
Lambert Brown
Noel Sloley
Norman Grant
The JLP Senators are:
Arthur Williams - Leader of Government Business
Tom Tavares-Finson
Robert Montague
Christopher Tufton
Marlene Malahoo-Forte
Camilla Johnson-Smith
Kavan Gayle
One to be named
We at Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog congratulate these senators...
...and wish them clarity, soundness of judgement and mind, a willingness to understand that they are not totally in charge - that they must request God's wisdom in the solemn responsibility they have, in ensuring justice for all Jamaicans.
Exactly two (2) years ago, today, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the sovereign state of Haiti, situated on the Western side of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, damaging 85% of its infrastructure.
"The epicentre was near the town of Léogâne, approximately 25 km (16 miles) west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 p.m. local time (21:53 UTC)".
Haiti, known as one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere, could not fully recover
...and the majority of Haitians are still living in tent cities.
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I just want to say to our Haitian brothers and sisters,
That, we, your Caribbean brothers and sisters, fully empathize with you and will continue to support you in whatever ways we can.
You have been buffeted on all sides, but still you continue to rise.
No matter the disaster, your indomitable spirit will not be extinguished.
We in the rest of the Caribbean owe you a debt of gratitude...
...For it's through your first fight for independence and the abolition of slavery in 1804, that we were embolden to seek our own abolition of slavery and fight for independence.
We watch and wait for you, our sister, to rise...
...To fully trust in a God who holds the universe in His hands,
For then and only then, will your rise be unending,
and no force, human or otherwise, will stop you.
We the descendants of the African slave trade, salute you, our sister, for our forefathers' blood were intermingled,
Making us one in life, in death and in life as we know it, through us, their descendants.
Our bloodlines will never be extinguished, as long as they are linked to the single bloodline of Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer.
May the words of your National Anthem continue to ring out and embolden you, our sister...
To rise...to rise...to rise!
Haitian National Anthem (in French)
La Dessalinienne (The Song of Dessalines) as sung in the above video
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