Irie Day

Today would have been the 65th birthday of not only my favorite singer and songwriter but of one of the most influential artist of the 20th and maybe even so far into the 21st century, the one and only Robert Nesta Marley, a.k.a. Bob Marley.

Bob Marley, February 6, 1945 – May 11, 1981

When I think about Marley's songs I can't help but think of good times, nice rhythm but mainly some very, very deep lyrics that meant so much to him and the world back in the day and still apply to our every day reality of societies everywhere. His lyrics talk about equality between races, war, peace, uprising, anti slavery, cultivation of our spirit and soul, and like he himself said in one of the many interviews, just a few of them also talk about love, but not many because he said that's the easiest topic to write a song about...

There are many, many famous songs by Bob like; "I Shot the Sheriff", "No Woman, No Cry", "Could You be loved", "Three Little Birds" and many, many more.... My favorite is definitely "Redemption Songs".

Another one of my favorites and that takes me back to a Caribbean state of mind wherever I am and I listen to it is...



So today, I am honoring a man that has definitely brought to my life a lot of good times with his music and a lot of inspiration with his lyrics.

Mr. Marley, wherever you are may you have found a blessed Irie soul next to Jah, thanks for your contribution to the world music and for making my life a lot more enjoying by listening to your songs!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB!

02/05/2005

On a day like today but only Saturday and 5 years ago is when I first set foot in the Cayman Islands for the first time, but this was not in Grand Cayman but on the second biggest island of the 3 Caymans, Cayman Brac.

this was the view from my studio apartment window

Cayman Brac is an amazing place, filled with nice people, nature and beauty everywhere (above and below the water). For the year and a half I lived there was a blessing in my life, specially because this is the place where I met the love of my life and husband Mark.

view of Spotts Bay

I cannot help but mention in this post how much I love the Brac, how much I miss it, the people, nature and specially the diving that is just superb...

In 2006 I moved to Grand Cayman to be closer to my at the time boyfriend, and even tough I was a though change I do not regret a single moment and how much my life changed.

And talking about life changes, here I am celebrating my fifth year on this lovely islands, but now I'm married to a wonderful man, have a house, two dogs and I job I love and enjoy.

On a little sad note: After I moved to GC I went back to the Brac a few times a year, unfortunately back in Nov. 2008 Hurricane Paloma (a category 5) hit the island and devastaded the place. My dear lovely island was damaged by at least 80% and this horrible event kept me away for a whole year until the island is finally  back on their feet and finally they have rebuilt the hotel I lived and used to work for... this event changed a lot of peoples lives and for us it even changed our plans to get married there.

 this is the same site of the first picture I posted- after Hurricane Paloma

It's been hard to be away from the Brac for so long and I am already making plans to go back. I wish I could be there to celebrate my first day on this island, but I guess I'm going to have to wait and see.... so for now Happy Anniversary to me!

running in "auto pilot"

Work and life in general's been NON STOP for me since last week Thursdy.

Events on the weekend (that I mentioned on my previous post a few days ago) and then continued until even today. So, I'm exhausted + I'm also taking some "meds" cause my arm/shoulder/neck problem is still around and getting to me bad.

I have tons and tons of pictures to share with the world, specially of the new painting/collaboration between two of the world's most famous marine artists Guy Harvey & Wyland, here's are 2 pics of it, first one is when it was still on the process and then the end result, enjoy!

The name of the new piece is "Cayman Treasures"...Promise to get back to blogging regularly as soon as I get my energy back after I manage to getsome rest... buh-bye!!!

Scuba Diving Events Weekend

It's been a busy couple of days.

DAY 1
Starting Friday night we attended the Underwater Film Festival of the Cayman Islands, this was a great event, showing 4 films and all very different, but all related to underwater stuff.

The first film was a little biography of Ron & Valerie Taylor, a very famous Australian couple that have dedicated their life to the ocean, taking pictures, filming it and doing research on different species and specially on Great White Sharks. (Click here to see their wiki page).

There was also a film from another marine biologist/explorer Hans Hass filmed back in the 1930 - 40's, pretty amazing stuff from back in the day.

Another feature film was from the American Marine Artist Wyland and when he painted a huge mural in Long Beach, CA to commemorate earth day 2009.

And the last film of the night feature a few videos of free diving skills, competitions as well as some very extreme deep diving. Check out one of their videos, it's pretty amazing...



DAY 2

During the day we had an event call Art @ Governors... will post about it later with some very cool pictures!

At night we attended the 10th Annual International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame.

There were 4 people inducted and two local honorees. It was a wonderful evening with friends, food, drinks and all about diving.

Now it's Sunday and I don't think I will have much time to post (at least Monday & Tuesday) because we are having a 2 day event at the gallery with artist/my boss Guy Harvey as well as marine artist Wyland. I will try to take lots of pictures and then share them.

Have a wonderful week and happy February!