Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog wishes all our US-based friends, a Happy Independence Day (4th of July)!
The United States of America (USA) is now 232 years old!
(The USA became independent in 1776.)
Wow!... that's quite a number of years for a democracy!
To our US-based friends, we hope your day has been going great and that you've been enjoying your time with family and friends!
Again, Happy Independence Day!
Gillian
Friends, thanks to Odiogo, you can now hear our blog posts by either pressing the "Listen Now" button at the top of each post, or by clicking the white "Odiogo" button, found to the top right-hand-side of our page.
(Odiogo transforms news sites and blog posts into high fidelity, near-human-quality audio files ready to download and play anywhere, anytime, on any device.)
You can also download our audio posts (podcasts) to your favorite audio device (e.g. your MP3 player or mobile device), to take with you while you're on the go!
We know you absolutely love our content and don't want to miss out on anything that we have to offer!
...So we're offering you this service, FREE!
Through Odiogo, we are now available on iTunes and Juice (two leading audio-streaming sites)...so you can click the white "Odiogo" button, to listen to our content, via these two sites, as well.
(The white "Odiogo" button, opens up into a control page, which allows you to:
For our visually-impaired friends, we know you love our posts,too...so we wanted to offer this service to you as well, so that you won't miss out on any of our content!
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So, gather-round, everyone and tell your family, friends and associates about this new service from Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog!
We would love to hear how this service is working out for you...so please email us or leave your comments below, to let us know this!
Thanks in advance.
[The inset picture shows a white iPod (a popular and portable media player) connected to a car radio. ]
Gillian Campbell,
Owner, Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog and Market Opportunities Unlimited
Friends, last night was one I will remember for the rest of my life!
In a well-trumped up race which had the world, but especially Jamaicans, at the edge of their seats, Usain Bolt ran a record 9.72 in the men's 100m at the Reebok Grand Prix, last night!
He not only beat Tyson Gay...his new 100m rival, but became the second Jamaican male to hold the world record in the men's 100m.
(Jamaican, Asafa Powell, held the previous world record of 9.74, up until last night.)
Well, as Jamaicans we always knew that Usain Bolt had the potential for attaining great things in Track and Field..from his stunning performances at the School-Boy level, six (6) years ago.
We knew that he had something special to offer in the 200m and the 400m (he came second in the 200m at the World Championship in 2007) , but he surprised us on May 3, 2008, when at the Jamaica International Invitation Meet, he ran a scorching 9.76 seconds, thus giving the world warning that he was a force to be reckoned with, in the 100m, as well,.
We want to offer a big Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) congratulations to Usain for setting the new 100m world record and just hope that he will not relax, but use this as an impetus to do his best at all times when he races.
Usain, we are looking forward to either you or Asafa to bring home the 100m gold at this year's Beijing Olympics!
GWAP also congratulates Jamaica's Golden Girl, Veronica Campbell-Brown, who won the 100m in 10.91 seconds (this year's best time) at the same Reebok Grand Prix, last night.
You may view Usain Bolt's bio from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF ) site, here.
You may also view Veronica Campbell-Brown's bio, from the IAAF site, here.
I want to thank keanu2003 for the use of his inset video shown above that he has posted on Youtube...
It shows the 100m race at the Reebok Grand Prix last night, with Usain Bolt (in the white shirt and grey shorts) coming first and setting the new 100m world record.
(The footage is a bit grainy, but unfortunately, this is the best we have available.)
Gillian
Sources Include:
1) Article, "Bolt sets 100, record,Campbell-Brown wins", Reuters, June 1, 2008
2) CVM Television, May 31, 2008
3) Article, "Usain Bolt runs 100-meter in 9.76 sesonds", Associated Press, May 4, 2008
Congratulations are in order for Manchester United Football Club(F.C.)...They are the 2008 UEFA Champions League winners!
They beat Chelsea F.C. 6-5...in a highly charged, but drawn, 1-1 match which resulted in extra time and a penalty shoot-out!
(The match was played, earlier today in Moscow's Luzhniki stadium.)
No doubt, Didier Drogba must have been wondering had he not gotten a red card in extra time..if he would have been able to score for Chelsea.
And I really felt it for John Terry, Chelsea captain, who despite injury, played valiantly for his club today...only to miss his penalty kick.
But let's not forget Ryan Gibbs who made his record-breaking 759th appearance for Manchester United, beating Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 758 appearances.
And the superb playing by Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo (football player of the year) who unfortunately missed his penalty kick.
Nevertheless, there is joy tonight for Manchester United and their coach, Sir Alex Ferguson,who took their second UEFA Champions League...
When the dust has settled, I wonder what will be the future for Chelsea coach, Avram Grant?...
Will he be replaced by Liverpool's Gérard Houllier?...or rewarded for valiantly taking Chelsea to their first UEFA Champions League Final?
Hmmmmh!
Congratulations again, Manchester United!
Please see the pictures, and top scorers from the final, here.
Gillian
Sources Include:
1) UEFA Champions League Website
2) Chelsea F.C information on Wikipedia.org
3) Manchester United F.C. informationon Wikipedia.org
4) Live match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC via CVM Television, May 21, 2008
To all Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog friends, we want to wish both you and your mothers, a happy Mother's Day!
Mothers are special gifts from God!
They cared and nurtured us when we couldn't help ourselves and even when we could, they were there by our sides.
Along with fathers, they play an integral role in bringing up children who are well-rounded, purposeful and who realize the importance of living Godly lives.
Please remember to tell mom how much you love her and to show your appreciation for her.
For those of our friends who have painful memories of your mothers, I say, take heart... you have the ability to heal some of those wounds by firstly, forgiving your mothers and then by being great mothers, yourselves!
For our male friends with this particular pain, you too have the ability to heal by:
So, a Happy Mother's Day to you all!
Please be reminded that coming up this week, we will bring you the:
1) Results of the Receiver Manager's investigation into the assets of Carlos Hill and Cash Plus
2) Conclusion to our "Are You a Bone Maker or a Bone Breaker", series...so please stay tuned!
Gillian
Well friends, we at Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog, are doing the "Cheers to You, Our Highly-Valued Friends", dance, tonight !!!
Why?
Because we are celebrating our 8,452nd visitor to our blog!
Yippee!!
Oh my goodness...we're getting out the bubbly....both the alcoholic and non alcoholic champagne, that is...to toast you!!!
Yes, you!!
Because of you, our friends, we exist!
And you come from many different countries:
Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Canada, China, The Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, The Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Turks & Caicos Islands, The UK, The USA.
Double wow!
To all of you who keep returning to our blog, we really want to thank you!...your loyalty to this blog has been and is, deeply appreciated...please keep coming back!
To our newly-discovered friends, thank you for visiting...please sit back, relax and read our content...and don't forget to tell us how you feel about it, by using the Comment link, below our posts, or by e-mailing us.
To all of you, our friends...we promise to continue to bring you content which will:
1) Cause you to make better life decisions
2) Empower you, so that you will empower others
3) Keep you informed and entertained!
4) Enable you to so live your life with purpose, that your contribution to your family, community and your country, will be monumental!
Again, we thank you and say Big Up! (Jamaican, meaning, we greatly appreciate and respect you!)
Gillian
Yes friends, Cash Plus Ltd.'s clients (creditors) might just be able to rejoice today!
The Financial Services Commission(FSC), has varied the cease-and-desist order it placed on Cash Plus in December 2007, thus allowing Cash Plus to pay the outstanding monies it owes its clients.
[Cash Plus Ltd. (CPL) is one of the Jamaican Alternative Investment Schemes that has been hammered by the FSC, for its failure to register as a securities dealer and file audited financial statements that would prove assets to keep the company afloat.
In November 2007, as a result of Cash Plus' inability to provide its, banker, National Commercial Bank(NCB), with audited financial statements, outlining the source of its funds, the bank closed seventeen (17) of Cash Plus' twenty-six (26) accounts.
NCB completed this process in February 2008, thus preventing Cash Plus from disbursing monies to its clients.
The bank claimed it did this to prevent the bank being implicated in money laundering and terrorist financing.
Following the decision by NCB to close some of Cash Plus' accounts in November, the FSC placed the cease-and-desist order on Cash Plus.
NB: Cash Plus claims that its clients are really creditors, as they have loan the company money to invest on their behalf.]
Cash Plus then asked it clients for three months (up until March 31,2008) to be able to come up with monies to pay them back.
Cash Plus however failed to meet its March 31,2008 deadline and was put in receivership last Monday by the Jamaican Supreme Court, at the request of lawyers representing the company.
The court then appointed a Receiver (Mr. Kevin Bandoian) from PriceWaterhouseCoopers USA, to assess the actual assets that the company has and to begin disbursement of funds to its clients.
Apparently Cash Plus, in the documents it presented to the FSC, last Friday, has been able to prove that it has monies to the tune of US $460 million (JMD $32 billion) to pay its clients, from its affiliate in the Turks and Caicos islands. Thus allowing the FSC to waive the cease-and-desist order.
Although Cash Plus Ltd. in a press release in the Sunday Gleaner on Sunday April 6, 2008, claims that it will actually start disbursing the monies on April 14, 2008, Cash Plus clients are yet to get verification from the FSC, re the actual disbursement date.
In the April 6, 2008 press release, Cash Plus vowed to continue operating as soon as it applies to the FSC to become a licensed securities dealer in Jamaica.
I would like to thank deshoda for providing us with the inset video seen above. Deshoda's YouTube.com profile can be seen, here.
Gillian
Sources Include:
1) The Business Day, via Television Jamaica (TVJ) News at 7:00 p.m., April 7, 2008
2) CVM News Watch, at 8:000 April 7, 2008
3) Article, "Cash Plus in turmoil - Investment Club in receivership- Investment club in receivership", by Barbara Gayle and Gareth Manning, Jamaica Gleaner, April 1, 2008
"How Deep is Your Love?" the hit song recorded by the Bee Gees in 1977, asks a very important question to lovers and would-be lovers...
Just how deep is your ability to love and how you love, presently?
They want out!
They won't stick around long enough to try to work out differences, problems and challenges, thus missing the opportunity to grow individually and as human beings capable of extending unconditional love to others.
They hop from relationship to relationship looking for the proverbial "high" from the beginning stages of a relationship "the infatuation stage" where two new lovers see only the positive attributes that they want to see in each other.
Others are deep infatuators...falling deeply in "love" with the person they are attracted to, before getting to know him/her properly. These lovers run running the risk that the rose-coloured picture they've painted in their mind about their love interest, is very faulty and misty, as they haven't allowed the process of time and thorough conversations to reveal their future lover's true personality.
...Much less whether or not their intended lover's personality and values will complement (blend well with) theirs.
While others are hesitant lovers...they will be in a relationship for many months and years and never make a long-term commitment to their lovers. They just going through the motions of a relationship but their hearts are never involved.
(Some of these lovers love the fact that they are "settled" in a relationship, can call someone their boyfriend/girlfriend/fiance/fiancee and have their lovers at their beck and call,but when asked if they would marry them, say they are still waiting for the right person to come along or will try to find some excuse to delay this long-term commitment.)
Then there are the poly-amorous lovers - they believe that they are so great (or are in such great demand) that several people must share their love at the same time. [They have several people with whom they have a (potential) sexual relationship, all at the same time.]
And many times they lead each of these persons to believe that they're the sole person in their lives and that they have their love exclusively. While thoroughly enjoying stringing these lovers along like puppets on a string and boasting about it privately and publicly.
Then there are the reasoned lovers: these lovers approach love with caution, moderate expectation and insight. They understand that people are complex, have complex reasons for doing things and as such, see it best to know people as friends, first, before making long-term commitments to them.
They go into a potential relationship with their eyes and ears wide open. They listen, talk less and seek clarification continually...while assessing if their potential lover has similar values (expectations about life and beliefs that are held dear.)
When they have enough evidence that the value systems are similar, that there are enough differences between them to make the relationship interesting and that the person really has their best interest at heart, they (or sometimes their heart) decide that they can safely fall in love and they do so, while enjoying the process of knowing someone and allowing themselves to be known.
And they enjoy working out differences of opinion that will occur from time to time...realizing that this is just a part of the love-building process. They share their time freely with their lover, tending to their needs, finding new and interesting ways to express their love.
They are so busy pleasing their lover, that they don't have time to seek other lovers who will distract them from the exclusivity that their lover deserves.
They realize that they are accountable to God for how they love and thus do so in ways that will make God proud. They try to live out the hallmark of love given in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, verses 4-13 and are happier as a result of loving the way that God intends them to.
So, how deep is your love?...
Which of the above categories do you fall in?
Do you feel comfortable being in that category...or would you rather migrate to category no. 5?
Is the love you're extending to your love interest, now, the kind of love that you'd like to get in return?...
How about..in the long run..like the next 20, 30, 40,50 years?
It's a lot for us all to think about...isn't it?...for we may just be living lesser lives than we deserve to be.
Nuff said (Jamaican, meaning, "enough has been said")
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You can hear and buy, the MP3 song, "How Deep Is Your Love", by clicking the image below. (It's the second song on the "Saturday Night Fever" MP3 Album...just scroll down 1 page, after clicking the image):
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Lyrics, "How deep is your love", 1977 hit song by the Bee Gees, Lyricsfreak.com
2) Article, "How Deep is Your Love", Wikipedia.org
We, at Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog, wish you, our friends, a very Happy New Year!
Yipee!!!
May this year be one of reflection, as to your God-given purpose for being placed on this earth...
May it be a time of renewal, in terms of family and other relationships...
May it be one in which you will be able to set tangible goals that can be accomplished...
And may you find fulfillment and joy, in all your endeavours!
(We wish to thank Owais Khan for contributing the inset picture, above. You can find out more about Owais' work, by clicking the hyperlink of her name. This photo was uploaded to stock photo site, www.sxc.hu .)
Gillian
As we prepare for the Christmas holidays, no doubt some of us may have already purchased presents, cards and tried to find that perfect gift for our loved ones, family, friends and associates.
Some of us may have even waited patiently in line to pay for our gift items, at our favorite stores, while soaking in the excitement, sights, feelings and sounds that the Christmas holiday brings.
Hmmh!
But wait just one minute...we may have excluded a very important person from our gift list...
Who? You may ask,
Well, friends - you!
But not only to give "you" a present, but to give the present of "you" to someone who needs "you", this Christmas.
And you don't come cheap...as the "gift of you" will require your time, emotions, energy and yes, in some cases, the costs of telephone calls, gas, car upkeep/maintenance, to get you to the person who'll need you.
For, the gift of "you" may mean:
1) Sitting and comforting someone in silence, who just needs you to be there and to listen.
2) Going out of your way to do household chores for an elderly neighbour who has no one else to help him/her
Or it may mean driving to deliver previously-worn clothing to a family in need.
But you can be rest-assured that, no matter how small the gesture, giving "the gift of you" this Christmas, will be the most most rewarding and fulfilling gift, that you'll ever give...
Well, that's providing that you give "the gift of you" in the true spirit of Christmas...that is to give, without expecting anything in return.
For this precious gift will definitely:
1) Be appreciated by the receiver
2) Add to the receiver's well-being
3) Give the receiver hope...a precious commodity that is always needed.
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So, have you included "the gift of you" on your holiday gift list?
Maybe you should, if you want to experience the most unforgettable and meaningful Christmas in your lifetime!
(Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog thanks brungrrls, who provided the inset Christmas gifts, via photo site, Flickr.com.)
Gillian
Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog wishes all our US-based friends and our friends from US territories, a Happy Thanksgiving!
[In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated as a day of thanks to God, for what he has given at the end of the harvest season. (This tradition dates back to the formative years of the USA.)
Thanksgiving is usually celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.]
Yes, friends, we all have a lot to be thankful for...life, a roof over our heads, food, health, family and friends.
To our US-based and US-territory friends:
May your holiday be restful and may you find joy, from the warmth and love of family and friends, at this special time of year!
Gillian
Sources Include:
1) Article, Thanksgiving (United States), Wikipedia.com
Dear Friends,
Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog expresses a hearty Jamaican thanks, to you all, for voting for us, in the Blogger's Choice Awards!
[Blogger's Choice Awards (BCA) give annual awards, in several categories, to blogs that make an impact in the blogosphere. Please read more about them here. (Blogger's Choice Awards'
main sponsor is PayPerPost.com .)]
We were nominated in the following categories:
1) Best Blog Design
2) Best Religion Blog
3) Best Parenting Blog
4) Best Blog of All Time
Nominations have now closed for 2007.
Unfortunately we didn't make it to the top three (3), for 2007, but with your help, we can for 2008!
Voting for 2008, is already underway. Please go to the right-hand-side of our posts,to the 7th section from the top
(entitled, "Please Vote For Us At Blogger's Choice Awards!") to nominate
and vote for us in the afore-mentioned categories!
The top three (3) nominees per category were announced on November 3, and the winners of all categories will be announced on November 10,2007, at PostieCon, during a special BCA VIP Party, at Tao Las Vegas.
(Please see the list of the top 3 nominees per category, here.)
Girl With a Purpose Blog congratulates all finalists and fellow-nominees.
We wish you, all the best, in your blogging efforts and in your continuing to provide our audiences with content that entertains, educates and inspires!
To our Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) friends who voted for us, thanks again!
To all our friends, please remember to nominate and vote for us, for 2008!...your support will enable us to get more exposure, so that we can reach more girls and young women, who need to be empowered!
Thanks in advance :).
Gillian
"Girl With a Purpose" Blog is pleased to present our brand new section, "Hot Deals Mondays!!!™".
This week, on "Hot Deals Mondays!!!™", we introduce scorching hot deals on your favorite technology gadgets and accessories, electronics and appliances from ABT Electronics!
Shop and get an additional 5% off of ABT Electronics' already low prices on brand name Flat Panel LCD TVs, Digital Cameras, DVD players and more!
Thousands of items in stock!
You can find these hot deals in our section entitled "Hot Deals Mondays!!!™". It can be found to the left-hand-side of our posts, just above the section, "Computer Courses for Beginners". (It is the 11th section from the bottom of the blog).
(These deals will expire on Sunday, November 4, 2007, so get yours now, before it's too late!)
Gillian
In our effort to bring you dynamic content that will empower your personal and professional lives, Girl With a Purpose Blog is pleased to present our brand new section, "Hot Deals Mondays!!!™".
On "Hot Deals Mondays!!!™", we introduce scorching hot deals on your favorite technology gadgets and accessories, electronics and appliances!
This means that on every Monday, from now until the end of Christmas, you can get huge discounts on all technology gadgets and accessories, electronics and appliances, featured in this new section on our blog!
[You can find this section to the left-hand-side of our posts, just above the section, "Computer Courses for Beginners". (It is the 11th section from the bottom of the blog). It is entitled, "Hot Deals Mondays!!!™" with the featured deals underneath the section title.]
This week's featured deals come from CellHut!- The phones and accessories are going fast!..so get yours now, before these deals expire!
(These deals will expire tomorrow!)
Gillian
Today we celebrate National Heroes Day in Jamaica.
It's a day when we remember the seven Jamaican national heroes (including one heroine) who sacrificed their lives, time and freedom, so that we as Jamaicans could be free from slavery and British colonization and could become an independent nation.
(National hero is the highest order that can be bestowed on any Jamaican citizen, by the Government of Jamaica.The last time the honour of national hero was bestowed on a Jamaican citizen, was in 1975, on Nanny of the Maroons.)
Jamaica has seven national heroes: Sam Sharpe, George William Gordon, Nanny of the Maroons, Paul Bogle, Sir Alexander Bustamante, Norman Washington Manley and Marcus Mosiah Garvey.
Please read more about these heroes and how they contributed to Jamaica's development, here.
National Heroes Day is also the day when the Government of Jamaica, gives national awards to men and women who have sacrificed themselves for others and for the development of this great nation of ours.
In this vein, a boy (Joel Solomon Francois Davidson) got the Badge of Honour for Gallantry, for saving his eleven year-old friend from drowning. Demonstrating that heroes don't have to be old and grey to be named as such, but can be normal, everyday people like you and me.
But who is a national hero?
To get this answer, we will define a hero and then a "national hero".
Answers.com defines a hero as:
"A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life: e.g. soldiers and nurses who were heroes in an unpopular war."
Hmmh :)... Let us try to understand what this definition truly means, by examining what a feat is:
According to Answers.com, a feat is a notable act or deed, especially an act of courage.
So, a hero not only does notable and courageous acts, but also sacrifices his/her life, continuously, in pursuit of these acts.
Using this defintion, then, and extending it nationally, a national hero is someone who does notable acts, in a country's best interest, so much so that he/she will continue to do so, even though his/her life is at risk.
Hence suggestions for national hero status for Bob Marley (world renown Jamaican reggae artist) and Louise Bennett-Coverly (world renown Jamaican comedian, cultural activist and educator), would be justified, as both tried to keep Jamaica's culture (the heartbeat of a nation) alive, despite pressures and persecution from the then Jamaican government and members of the Jamaican populace.
(There were even attempts to kill Bob Marley because of his determination to speak against the police abuse of Rastafarians and the political injusticies of the 1970's.)
Please read Louise Bennett-Coverly's biography here and Bob Marley's biography, here.
However, the suggestion to make former Prime Minister (PM) of Jamaica, Michael Manley, a national hero, would be unjustified, based on our definition, above.
Yes, he did implement a few societal changes for the betterment of the Jamaican people (e.g. overtime pay and maternity leave) in the 1970's, but his policies and outright disdain for the Jamaica people's human rights and freedoms and him nearly causing this country's economic collapse in the 1970's, has disqualified him, according to our definition of national hero, from ever gaining this status.
(In the 1970's, then PM Michael Manley, restricted the importation of basic necessities like flour, without empowering farmers to produce more staples as substitutes, thus creating a national food shortage. He forced the majority of the middle and upper middle class to flee from Jamaica, by telling them that there were only 5 flights per day, that would be available for them to get out of Jamaica and encouraged the poor to take over their houses and businesses, when they left.
You can read more about Michael Manley's escapades, below:
1.Article, "The Election of Portia Simpson-Miller as First Female Prime Minister Brings a Renewed Hope to Jamaica", by Francis Wade, TheNewBlackMagazine.com
2. Michael Manley's biography, Wikipedia.)
Interesting, huh?
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Which other Jamaicans, besides Loiuse Bennett-Coverly and Bob Marley, do you think would qualify to get national hero status, based on our definition above?
Do you agree/disagree with the suggestion that these two Jamaicans should be given national hero status?
Do you think we need any more national heroes?
Please let us know what your thoughts are, by clicking on the "Comment" link, below.
Thanks. :)
Gillian
Sources Include:
1) Webpage, Jamaica's National Heroes, JamaicaWay.com
2) Definition of hero, Answers.com
3) Definition of feat, Answers.com
4) Article, "The Election of Portia Simpson-Miller as First Female Prime Minister Brings a Renewed Hope to Jamaica", by Francis Wade, TheNewBlackMagazine.com
5) Bob Marley's Biography, Wikipedia.com
6) Louise Bennet Coverly's Biography, Disabled Women's Network Ontario's website
7) Michael Manley's Biography, Wikipedia.com
8) Jamaica National Awards, Jamaica Information Service (JIS) website
9) Jamaica National Awardees 2007, JIS website.
Yes, friends, Girl With a Purpose Blog is bringing out the champagne (non-alcoholic and alcoholic) and doing our celebratory jig, for all our first time and returning visitors to this Blog!
We want to say a special thanks to all of you for your continued patronage of us!
For those of you who are new to this blog, I want to give you a warm, Jamaican welcome and invite you to visit us again and tell your friends and family about us...
Around here, we call you friend:
Friend, because we're interested in empowering you, so that you will make the right life decisions, and be at peace, and thus be able to empower others, as a result of doing so :).
For those of you who keep coming back, we want to especially thank you!
Because of you, we exist and continue to grow! So much so that we are now at a whopping 5,163 visitors and growing steadily each month!
Special Big Up (mention) goes out to our new and returning friends from:
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Belgium, Benin, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Croatia, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, the Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines,Portugal Saudi Arabia, South Africa,Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, the UK, the USA, Venezuela and Vietnam.
We promise to continue to bring you content that will entertain you and that will make a difference in your life and the lives of those you touch!
Again, we thank you!
Gillian
Today is being celebrated as Emancipation Day in Jamaica!!
Emancipation (the abolition of slavery in all British colonies) occurred in Jamaica, 173 years ago, on August 1, 1834.
However, only unborn slaves and slaves under six(6) were truly free. Others had to undergo an Apprenticeship Program that would see them free in 1838.
This Apprenticeship Program was forced on the slaves due to their white owners fear that the slaves would leave the plantation and go to work for themselves.
Jamaica accepted the Emancipation Act, only because the white plantation owners felt that this was the only compensation they could get for lost slave income.
Although emancipation laws mandated that slave owners give slaves lodging and food, free, some plantation owners extracted payment for these items through extra hours of labour from the slaves.
Special magistrates were appointed to stop these injustices, which persisted due to the magistrates' inability to visit the plantations in a timely manner -They were hard-pressed to force plantation owners to keep to a strict 9-hour work day for slaves.
The plantation owners also charged exorbitant rates for slaves who wanted to buy their own freedom,although 1,500 were able to do so in two (2) years.
It was reported that plantation owners worked the slaves harder than they did during slavery and exacted brutal punishments, like forcing them to step quickly on the steps of treadmills, in order to maintain their balance, so they wouldn't fall.
(The treadmill was a large cylinder with steps that spun, based on a person's weight on each step. It was used to extract juice out of sugar cane and thus its steps were usually slippery.)
Please read the information on this site: "1834-1838: Jamaica's History as Slave Islands Ends in Apprenticeship", for more information.
When I think of all that we have gone through as a people, I wonder why it is that we still are ingrained in mental slavery.
Although we are free physically, we are not free mentally, as our actions display plantation behaviour - with the white slave owners being replaced by business owners who refuse to give good pay for an honest day's work.
There are some retailers and security companies that treat their workers with such disdain, that they pay minimum wage (JMD $12,000 per month or USD $177.12 per month ), when these companies can afford to pay their workers much more.
They are unwilling to train their employees, so that higher positions within these organizations can be made available to them.
As former slaves, some who rise to the top seem intent on preventing others from attaining wealth.
They refuse to mentor and fund (via Angel Investor Networks and Venture Capital companies) up-and-coming entrepreneurs with big dreams, but small pockets.
Some of our darker-skinned women and men are bleaching (using acid-based creams and toothpaste to make themselves whiter), as they feel this is the only way to gain acceptance within their communities and to progress financially, as they believe that clearer-skinned blacks have a better chance of getting a job and being promoted, than their darker-skinned colleagues.
So while we celebrate Emancipation Day, I long to see the day when Jamaicans can really be free, so that we can celebrate Mental Emancipation Day!
So that we can loose the shackles of thinking that someone is better than us because he/she belongs to a different race than we do.
Or that someone else deserves to be richer than we are, due to him/her being non-black.
And so that we will become capitalists (people who can convert business dreams into profitable,multi-million dollar business), thus augering a better standard of living for ourselves and our families and not just desire, to "eat a food" (get a meal by begging).
For that is the day when we will truly start to progress, as a nation!
Gillian
Sources Include:
1) Article, "Emancipation in Jamaica", RaceandHistory.com, August 1, 2001
2) Article, "Jamaica History: Apprenticeship Period - 1834-138, Jamaica's History as a Slave Island Ends in Apprenticeship - A Learning Experience", jamaica-guide.info.
Employers, Recruiters, do you have job vacancies in your organization (or in your client's organization) that you need filled?
Then why not advertise these on Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog's Job Board?
Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog empowers girls and young women (between ages 12-35) by enabling them to think creatively, and critically, thus enhancing their problem-solving and decision-making skills.
We attract both male and female readers and currently have 3,687 visitors to our site, 69% of which are new and 31% returning.
Our readers come from the following world regions, in the following percentages:
USA = 43%
Canada = 6%
Jamaica = 37%
Rest of the Caribbean = 1%
United Kingdom = 4%
Rest of Europe = 5%
Asia = 4%
We are actively seeking US and US-Territory-based employers/recruiters (including the Armed Forces) who are willing to place ads for jobs that will empower girls and young women (between ages 18-35), in the US and its territories (for now).
Meaning, your jobs should ensure these women's professional and personal development, during their tenure at your organization.
If your job meets this criteria, please don't hesitate to post it on our site.
Please go to the right-hand side of our posts and go to the 3rd section from the top, entitled, "Advertise Your Job Vacancies Here!".
Then click on the "Post a Job" link in the "Recent Jobs" green box and follow the instructions given there.
The special introductory price of $99 for 30 days for each job listing will only last for another 29 more days, so please hurry to get your listing in to take advantage of this special discount. (After this time, the cost will increase to $120 for 30 days.)
GWAP Job Board is powered by Simply Hired.
(Unfortunately, Simply Hired is only powering job searches for US and US-Territory-based employers and recruiters, at this time.)
Thanks in advance.
Gillian Campbell,
Owner, Girl With a Purpose Blog.
Our Canadian friends celebrated Canada Day on July 2!
Happy Belated independence day to you!
140 years and still going strong!...
Yep, that's just the way to do it...hope it was a good one!
Gillian
I want to wish our American friends, a Happy 4th of July!
Hope it has been a good one!
231 years of self-governance and independence is quite an accomplishment...please do enjoy it!
Gillian
Girl With a Purpose Blog welcomes our 3,366th visitor!!!
Yippee!!
Oh my goodness...we're getting out the bubbly...both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic champagne, that is,...to toast you!!!
Yes, you!!
Because of you, our friends, we exist...and have grown to be 3,366 strong!
So strong that 35% of you keep coming back and 65% of you have just discovered us!
========
To our friends who keep returning, thank you!...your loyalty to this blog has been and is, deeply appreciated...please keep coming back!
To our newly-discovered friends, thank you for visiting...please sit back,relax and read our content...and don't forget to tell us how you feel about our posts and the rest of our content, by using the Comment link, below our posts, or by e-mailing us.
To all of you, our friends...we promise to continue to bring you content which will:
1) Cause you to reflect on just why you were placed on this earth
2) Empower you, so that you will empower others
3) Keep you entertained
4) So enable you to live your life with purpose, that your contribution to your family, community and your country will be monumental!
Again, thank you!
Gillian
Sunday, June 17, 2007 will be celebrated all over the world, as Father's Day!!!
In celebration of these very important men in our lives, Girl With a Purpose Blog, has a special treat!
We are pleased to announce that we now have available, specially-selected gifts for dads (fathers).
- Whether they be your husbands, boyfriends, dads(fathers) or grand-dads (grand-fathers); or your brothers, sons, grand-sons, God-sons, God-fathers, cousins, friends, neighbours, associates, etc., we have a gift to suit every occasion, pocket and taste.
Please scroll down to the middle-left-hand section of our blog and you'll find these great gifts under the section, entitled, "Cool Gifts for Dad!". (This section can be found just below the Scholarship Search section and above the section entitled, "Women's Organizations Doing Great Work!".)
We will be adding more selections within the next few days, so that you can start your Father's Day shopping, early!
And we've arranged these selections, all in one place, so that you can compare prices from different advertisers, while having a one-stop shop for all your gifts!
So, do, please browse our listings and enjoy the shopping experience that we've provided for you!
- You know we just love catering to you and the special dads in your lives!
Happy Shopping!
Gillian
I want to wish all our mothers - a Happy Mother's Day!
Each one of us has had a mother - whether she is alive or not, there have been women (they may not have been our biological mothers) in our lives, who have mothered us.
Women who saw (see) to it that we were (are) properly brought up.
Who took (take) time out to see that we were (are) properly fed, loved, appreciated and educated.
Women who clothe(d) us, discipline(d) us, support(ed) us emotionally and financially; women who shower(ed) us with praise, women who taught (teach) us to be responsible and caring human beings.
Women who made (make) sacrifices for us, so that we could (can) be better off economically.
Women who nurse(d) us back to health, when we were (are) sick.
Women who stood (stand) up for us when nobody else would (will).
Women who taught (teach) us right from wrong.
Today we celebrate all mothers - our biological mothers, grandmothers, step-mothers, aunties, sisters, cousins, family friends, teachers, church/temple/mosque and club members - all these wonderful women who make (have made) a positive contribution to the lives of our children.
We thank you for being the women you are.
We thank you for setting great examples for our young and aspiring mothers to follow.
We thank you for your generosity of thought and of spirit!
And we wish for you a day filled with joy and joyful memories, made as a result of your loving kindness towards children...
Have a very Happy Mother's Day!
Gillian
Today is being celebrated as Teachers Day in Jamaica!
We, at Girl With a Purpose Blog, want to wish our teachers a great Teachers' Day and we trust that it will be an enjoyable one for you all!
Across the nation, students are honouring their teachers:
At some of our high schools, teachers will be getting a break from teaching some subjects,as 6th form (12th - 13th grade) students will act as substitute teachers for today.
Teachers are being showered with gifts as we speak, with the popular gift of choice being, assorted gift baskets!
Our teachers work long and hard hours to ensure that our children and young adults can be the best that they can be, educationally, emotionally and spiritually, and as such, are very important people in a child's/young adult's life.
We have a responsibility to our teachers to ensure that they get the respect and love they deserve, as they are the ones who tend to our children for 6-7 hours each day, while we work.
So let's support them by ensuring that our children/young adults are well-disciplined, that they do their homework promptly, study and are properly fed, so that they can be attentive in class and be in the mood to learn.
We need to attend Parent Teachers Association (PTA) meetings, frequently, and be willing to listen to our children's teachers' suggestions re the welfare of our children/young adults.
We need to also ensure that our children/young adults understand that teachers are their substitute parents on any given day, and as such, deserve their respect, love and kindness.
We need to protect our teachers and our schools in all our communities, so that our children will have a healthy environment in which to learn and so that our great teachers will want to remain as teachers.
We need to pay our teachers based on performance, so that the great ones will be able to live comfortable lifestyles and the rotten ones will have no choice but to leave the profession.
We need to be active in our children's/young adults' schools and lives, so that our teachers can feel the support from parents, in the enactment of their duties to our children.
Lastly, we need to create homes in which our children can be emotionally nourished, spiritually enriched and mentally stimulated, so that we can truly be partners with our teachers, in the raising up of well-rounded and gifted individuals - our children.
Happy Teachers' Day!
Gillian
May is the month for mothers and as such, we celebrate these special women in our lives!
Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog is pleased to present our "Best Mom's Store" in honour of Mom's special day - Mother's Day!
The link to our store, "GWAP's Best Mom's Store" can be found underneath the "About" link at the top, left-hand-side of our posts. (It's the 3rd item from the top, under the heading "Get Your Mother's Day Gifts Here!)
We have made our store a one-stop-shop for your special Mother's Day gifts, thus eliminating the searching, hassle and the stress out of shopping for that special gift for mom.
Each item has been handpicked by us for that special woman in your life (mom, wife, grandmother, mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, sister, aunt, niece, daughter, cousin, grand-daughter, friend, etc.) and is guaranteed at least a 4 star rating out of 5, on Amazon.com!
Those items that are not yet rated, are so divine that we know your mom will just love them!
Come in, discover, explore and surprise mom with something that's deliciously elegant!
We have items that fit every budget!
(Our store is powered by Amazon.com!)
A Big Hearty Jamaican welcome to our returning and newest friends from:
Afghanistan, Australia, the Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Finland, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, the UK and the USA!
Our heart continues to beat like crazy in its socket, as a result of your visit!
As a result of your continued visits, we have on record 2,767 visitors, 42% of which are returning visitors!
To our returning friends:
Thanks ever so much for your continued patronage of (visits to) our blog, we are excited that our content continues to be appreciated and highly valued by you!
For those who are new to this blog:
Around here we call you friend...
You're more than just a statistic to us..we aim to empower and motivate you to be best that you can be, so that you'll make a meaningful contribution to both your community and country!
To all our friends:
We are in the process of updating our blog with content geared at enabling you and the women in your lives to be empowered...
There will be changes (they have started already)...but we need your feedback as to which content you'd like to remain and which you want to go.
Please also let us know which content you'll need more information on, and we'll do our best to provide same.
Please e-mail us your feedback as soon as possible, so that we can better serve you, ok? :)
In the meantime, please sit back, relax, and enjoy our blog!
Gillian
We, at Girl With a Purpose Blog wish to inform you that the following sections have been updated:
1) Biographies - Influential Women. (Can be found to the left-hand-side of our posts. It is the 4th section, below "My Avatar".)
2) 21st Century Careers. (Also found to left-hand-side of our posts...it's the 7th section below "My Avatar")
With the recent murder of Bob Woolmer, the former coach of the Pakistan Cricket Team, we decided to feature Medical Pathologists.
So vital to murder investigations, these scientists are in very short supply in Jamaica.
The following section has been added:
1) Bookmark, where you can add Girl With a Purpose Blog to your favorite social networking sites like Digg, Del.icio.us and Furl. (This can be found to the top, right-hand side of our posts.)
We at Girl With a Purpose Blog want to welcome our newest visitors from The Bahamas, Colombia, Jamaica, Japan, Luxembourg and Portugal!
Our heart is beating like crazy as a result of your visit!
Around here, we call you friend!
Please sit back, relax and enjoy our content and posts.
And please feel free to comment or share your thoughts re anything that you wish to, ok?:)...
Just use the "Comment" link below each post.
It's great having you!
Gillian
Hello Everyone,
We at Girl With a Purpose Blog, have made it easier for you to find us on the web!
Our new domain name/url/web address is www.girlwithapurpose.com
Our old domain name, www.girlwithapurpose.typepad.com is still functional, but we wanted to make it easier for you to tell your friends, family and associates about us and where to find us.
Thanks for your continued support of this blog, as we continue to bring you content that will empower you and the girls and women in your life!
Gillian
Girl With a Purpose Blog welcomes our newest friends from Finland, Ireland, Israel, Mexico and Turkey!
It's a pleasure to have you visit our blog!
Wow! and Double Wow!
Wi hart a ful wid gratefulness fi see yu visit wi! - Jamaican meaning, "Our hearts are being filled with gratitude for having you visit us!"
Please relax, enjoy our posts and feel the warmth of great Jamaican hospitality as your browse our content.
Please also feel free to comment on anything that stirs/moves you!
Big Up!! (Jamaican, meaning "we think greatly of you!")
Welcome, again!
Gillian
We, at Girl With a Purpose Blog, want to thank you, our friends (our visitors of this blog), for voting for us on Blogmad's VARBRank.
[BlogMad.net is a Blog Directory and they have a service called "VARBRank", which allows blog readers to rate their favorite blogs!
The link, "Rate Me On Varb!" can be found to the right-hand-side of our posts. (It is the fourth section up from the bottom-right-hand-side of our posts, just above the "Site Suggestions Email Link")]
In a matter of three (3) weeks, our blog rating has increased from 6.67 to 7.14 out of 10, all because of you!
The average blog rank is 5.60!
Please continue to vote for us and remember to give us your feedback re how our content has been benefitting you!
We're blushing like crazy!
Many thanks, again! :)
Gillian
Happy Chinese New Year to all our Chinese friends and those of Chinese heritage!
It's the year of the pig...
I understand that this year, 2007, is a very important year of the pig. It is referred to as the year of the Golden Pig, as it occurs once in six decades!
As such, vast numbers of Chinese in China are on the move to visit with family to celebrate this very important year.
For those of us who are unfamiliar with the Chinese Zodiac/calendar, the Chinese Zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, with each cycle represented by an animal. Please see this site which explains it all.
According to the Chinese Culture Centre of San Francisco's website, people born in this year (1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 ) are said to be chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their might.
They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They are said to be loyal - they don't make many friends, but when they do, they have them for life. They study a great deal, are very well-informed and have a thirst for knowledge.
They are said to be quick tempered, but hate quarreling and arguments.
They are also said to be kind to their loved ones and no matter how difficult problems may be, they try to work things out, honestly and sometimes impulsively.
Are there any Chinese New Year celebrations happening in your country?
If so, will you be able to attend any of the events?
Gillian
Sources:
1) Chinese Culture Centre of San Francisco's website
2) Chinese Zodiac, China Today
3) Chiff.com
4) Article, China ushers in year of the pig, BBC News, February 17, 2007
Hello friends,
Girl With a Purpose Blog wishes you a Happy Belated Valentine's Day!
We wish to apologize that this post did not go out yesterday, but our blog host, Typepad.com, was down. (Which is rare for Typepad).
So, how did you spend Valentine's Day?
Did you get a chance to show your loved ones how much you appreciate them?
Did your loved ones do or give you anything that surprised you?
I want to thank all of you who responded to our Valentine's Day survey to the right of our posts, just below our Calendar...your responses have been duly noted! :)
I also want to thank you for browsing our Girl With a Purpose Blog Store!
The link to the store can be found in the paragraph above and to the left-hand-side of our posts. (It's below the ABOUT link and is the third item from the top!)
We will be adding new items, weekly and will be introducing other specialty stores, soon. (We will be giving you more information within the next few weeks.)
Please remember to give us your feedback re the Girl With a Purpose Store and the others that we'll be introducing,ok?
We want to make our stores a place where you'll be happy to shop in...so your feedback, whether positive or negative, is essential :).
If you want to give us your feedback privately, please send your e-mail to us at girlwithapurpose01@yahoo.com.
To give us your feedback, publicly, please use the "Comment" link at the bottom of this post.
We'd very much like to hear how Valentine's Day was for you, so please don't be shy...please leave us a short note below, by using the "Comment" link,too, ok?:)
Thanks in advance! :)
Gillian
Yep, we're a week away from Valentine's Day... that special day of the year for lovers and for people who just love to give love :).
So this means that everybody can get into the act of love-giving! :).
Well, Girl With a Purpose Blog has decided to offer you, our friends, a special Valentine's treat!...
We have opened our new store, powered by Amazon.com!
It's called, Girl With a Purpose Blog Store and can be found to the left-hand-side of our posts, just below the ABOUT link.
Yes, we're offering you a wide selection of gifts for the special girls and women in your lives!
This means your daughters, grand-daughters, God-daughters, mothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, friends, girlfriends, wives, co-workers, team-mates, school-mates and their children! - You get the picture! :).
We've taken the agony out of shopping online, by providing you with a one-stop shop for all the gifts you'd like to give your loved ones, this Valentine's Day.
We've hand-picked every item and ensured that all items have a wow! factor. Those items with reviews, are rated four stars and above, out of five, on Amazon.com!
We've also got brand-name items going at ridiculously low prices, and they're going fast!
So don't wait...start your Valentine's Day shopping now! Click here to start now!
(Please remember to let us know how you feel about our offerings by e-mailing us...you know we just love hearing from you!)
Gillian
I just want to say a warm, Jamaican hello to our new visitors from Ireland, Israel and Mexico!
We are so very happy to have you visit this blog!
Wi heart a leap fi 'ave yu visit wi! (Jamaican meaning, our heart is fluttering in its socket over having you visit us!)
At Girl With a Purpose Blog, we call you friend...you're not just a statistic to us, we value your thoughts and comments!
Please feel free to read the various posts and the sections we have on this blog and give us your feedback! (Just click on the Email me link at the bottom-right-hand-side of this blog, to do so!)
We would also love to hear how you've benefitted from this blog!
Please tell your friends,co-workers and family about us...we'd love to have them on-board! :)
Thanks in advance :).
Gillian
To all our friends at Girl With a Purpose Blog, we want to extend our deepest thanks and appreciation for your continued support of this blog!
To date, we have 1,617 unique visitors with 1,244 first time vistors and 373 return visitors...
Hip, Hip, Hurrah!!!! - we couldn't have done this without you!
As we strive to provide content that will empower and motivate you, please remember that you can affect the content we provide, by commenting on our present offerings (via the Comment link at the bottom of each post) and giving us feedback as to the content you'd like to see.
Please e-mail us at girlwithapurpose01@yahoo.com to give us your feedback. Or just click on the Email me link (under the "For Site Improvement Suggestions or Any Questions" heading) at the bottom, right-hand-side of this blog, to do so!
Thanks in advance :).
Gillian
Happy New Year to all our friends at Girl With a Purpose Blog!
It is my wish that the New Year will be one of fulfilled dreams and one in which we will:
1) Rise to and overcome all the challenges that will face us in the New Year!
2) Examine our past mistakes and try to correct the thought processes and actions that led to those mistakes, so as to eliminate worry and regret from our lives.
3) Try to understand our loved ones better, thus being able to nurture those people who ensure balance in our lives.
4) Not be afraid of new situations that will occur in our lives to enhance our well-being, but accept and embrace these new situations as opportunities for growth.
5) Be better managers of ourselves, our time and our resources (including our money) so that we will have balance in all areas of our lives.
6) Put God first in our lives, knowing well, that as Creator, He knows our beginning and our end, and hence we can trust Him in every situation we may face.
Happy New Year!
Gillian
Tags: New Year, fulfilled dreams, God, loved ones, mistake, growth, opportunities, managers, time, resources, balance, trust, worry, regret, nurture
Yes, friends, Girl With a Purpose Blog is now on Skype!
(Skype lets you make free calls over the Internet to anyone else who also has the service. It's free and easy to download and use, and it works with most computers. Skype offers free global telephony and unlimited voice calls with its next-generation peer-to-peer software). Please click here for more information.
As such, we will have our first Skypecast on Friday, December 29, 2006!
A Skypecast is an interactive audio broadcast, held on the Skype network, where up to 100 people can meet online to discuss a topic. You must have a Skype account to use it.
We will be discussing our "First Kiss" post that was posted on December 21,2006.
Please join us at 7:00 p.m. EST or 10:00 p.m. PST, for an hour, where we'll be able to talk freely and frankly about our first time kissing experiences and share any tips and techniques that will help our younger friends.
We will also be discussing how best to approach our daughters about kissing and how to make ourselves available to our daughters to discuss this topic.
Please click on the Skypecasts Beta banner to the left-hand side of this post to find out more!
I'm really looking forward to meeting with you guys!
If you do not yet have an account on Skype, please click on this banner to sign up now!
I'm testing Skype out for my business as well, as it's a very cost-effective means to make video-conferencing calls and for collaborating on documents, online, in real-time, with team members located globally...you can too, by clicking on this link! Skype for Business
Gillian
Tags: Skype, First Kiss, Skypecast,
