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!

Ode to my back porch

A place where I like to be

when I feel happy

when I feel at ease

Plants and birds

sharing the breeze

come together

all in peace

Birds visiting

from the trees

find seeds

and water to please

Plants with color

like no other

bright up the place

and brings a smile to your face

Having breakfast or lunch

in company 

or alone

perhaps a dinner lighted with a torch

there's no place like my back porch

Happy Weekend!

Rainbow it is

If I had a brain like this...

 

Would I see the world like this?

And my hair would look like this?

 And my fruit too?

 Surely when I eat cake, mine would look like this...

Since I can remember I've always loved rainbows.

When I was 9 yrs old I visited Mexico City and stayed over a month at my aunts place, who at the time was married to a Venezuelan guy who was the ambassador of Venezuela in Mexico. And that's when I first got my most favorite doll of all "Rainbow Brite".

Oh did I loved that doll, after I found it at some department store in Mexico City, I took her everywhere with me, slept with her and even when we went to the pyramids, she was by my side.

Then I grew up but my love for rainbows never stopped.

It was many years after my love and infatuation for Rainbow Brite was at its peak, I realized that the Gay pride is represented by the rainbow flag. Well I might not share their sexual preferences, but I have no fear wearing anything with a rainbow or even saying I love rainbow color stuff, just cause people might think that's the part I share with them... I have many dear friends and met many others I don't share many things with, the sexual preference part I really only care for in my husband and that's cause he likes me, LOL!

Anyway back to the rainbow color brain.... so, if I do in fact have that brain, would I look like this?

Or maybe like this?

not sure which one it is, but I sure like to have a pet like this...

*Photos found on various websites.

UW pics

Here are more pictures I took on my dive last Sunday.

 

Happy Hump Day!

Resolutions Update

We are almost done with the first month of the year and so far I think I am pretty good about my new year resolutions like I mentioned on this post.

I am being grateful for everything that I have, even if sometimes situations that I encounter don't seem to be something to be grateful for, I know that down the road even the hard obstacles in life are going to make the reward at the end worthwhile.

On the matter of reading a book a month I have to say that I am right on track. On the first weekend in January I went by the Cayman Islands Humane Society book loft and picked up 4 used books for $10ci = $12.50 usd, can't go wrong with that... and all for a good cause.

So far I've read one whole book "Me vs. Me" which is a very light and entertaining novel, nothing too deep but in a way makes you think about different paths in life, decisions and consequences of our acts. If you are going to read this book don't expect a literary masterpiece, but it's fun.

Now I'm on my second book by an author that won the Nobel Prize of Literature back in 2004, the name of the book is "The Double" and because I'm not quite finished yet I will have to get back to you about the review of it, I do have to say though, so far so good!

In the matter of volunteering for an organization I am applying to be a Big Sister for a kid with the program of "Big Brothers, Big Sisters" on the island. I've already spoken with the director and they are getting back to me with the application forms, on my end I have to put some information together and then once I apply they'll need to match my personality and interests with a little girl for me to be her mentor. This makes me very excited and I'm looking forward to it...

Happy Tuesday!

My 1st 2010 dive!

The weekend is gone, but oh so fast, specially when you have to work Saturday and then today is a Holiday on the islands and guess what? I'm working too... Well, at least yesterday's morning dive makes up for the fact that most of the the island had a 3 day weekend and I had a 1 day one...

The dive was fun, took some alright shots unfortunately part of the dive was very frustrating because my camera case buttons were kind of jammed, so when I was trying to take pictures (unless I had perfect light conditions) it was impossible to adjust the settings, meaning I lost some good chances to get an award winning picture, LOL!

And of course this whole camera deal with the buttons, started the minute my husband spotted my favorite fish in the world, an "Spotted Drum" but not just any kind of S.D. but an adult, which by the way is the first time I get to see one (all the other ones I've seen are juvenile and they look very different).

Here's a picture of a juvenile Spotted Drum I've taken a couple of years ago:

And here's the best image I managed to take of the adult one (on yesterday's dive):

See how different they look? Well, at least I managed to get this nice shot.

I have a few other pictures that I will post later this week, have a great one!

Sat. @ work humor...

It's Saturday, I'm working and that plus this cartoon pretty much covers it all, LOL!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Friday Foto

Friday is here and although I have to work tomorrow Saturday, the weather is being very beautiful so we have plans to go diving on Sunday.

I'm kind of ashamed that it is already Jan. 22 and I still haven't been diving yet this year, so my plans are to dive before the first month is over, so this makes me add 1 more year resolution; to dive at least one day a month (more if possible)... that's a nice one, I think!

Every year here on the island there is an arts festival call Cayfest and they have a photography competition that anybody (either professional or amateur) can enter (as long as you are a resident of the islands for over a year).

One of the categories is underwater photography and I've been contemplating entering it, so beside going through the underwater pictures I have, I still might have a chance to go diving some more for "the shot" and enter it, all before March 15 which is the deadline.

Looking through my pictures I found a few possible candidates and I was wondering what you guys think about the first 3 (will post more later): 

flamingo tongue snail

Stingray ballet

green moray eel

I would really appreciate your input on this, you never know I might have a shot, right???

That's a first!

You know how people say there's always a first time for everything? Well, it's true but we just sometimes don't keep track of our first times.

Since we are still on the first month of the year 2010, I've been thinking about 9 first things/experiences that I lived for the first time in 09.

1. (And probably the most important) I got married to a man that I love with all my heart.

2. Because of #1, I got a new last name.
3. Started to like and eat peanut butter.
4. Got certified as a CCR (close circuit rebreather) diver.
5. Visited an American Embassy for the first time.
6. Worked the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show.
7. Ate at Roland's Garden (a very peculiar local restaurant).
8. Spent a weekend in Little Cayman with my husband, which also means it's the first time we've been on the three Cayman Islands together.
9. Started this blog!!!

And I think those are some of my first times for 2009, now I'm looking looking forward to my first times in 2010... How about you?

Have a great day!

A day in pictures

 Lately when I work @ 9:30 I have enough time have breakfast outside on the porch

Then while at work had a surprised visit from Barbara (a.k.a massgirl) that follows my blog, she came to see me and it was very nice to have met her!

We had two cruise ships in port, this is the last one that left.

The beautiful sunset

At night we went to "Prime" a Brazilian steak house to celebrate our friend Brian's Birthday!

And that's my day in pictures!!!

Chain reaction?

Well, I guess the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti has shaken more than just the lives of many people around the world, but also other possible tectonic faults in this planet of ours.

This morning while driving into work I was listening to Spin 94.9 radio station, and Ben the morning DJ (which is also my friend) was talking about the Haiti situation, then there was a song playing but the broadcast was interrupted in mid song and Ben came back to air saying that he felt something and asking the audience if they felt it too? Then he started talking about the rest of studio feeling it too and to not panic and be calm...

Well, we just had a 5.8 earthquake at 9:23 am. I did not feel it as I was in the car, but all of a sudden after listening to Ben talking about it, I started seeing people coming out of the buildings and by the time I reached worked even the girls that work with me were pretty worked out and nervous.

I am not an expert what so ever in the matter of geology and tectonic plates, but I do think this could mean some kind of chain reaction from the Haiti earthquake as there were also 2 other ones (one a 6.0 and another lower one) in Guatemala yesterday.

I am so grateful that I did not feel it, that there was no aftermath (well at least at this point while I'm writing this), but mostly that it was just a fright and no damage done.

Hope we don't get any more.... Happy Tuesday!

More dog therapy...!

A few days ago my boss sent my this video, it made me smile and then laugh so hard that happy tear were coming down my cheeks...

Not sure what I liked the best about it, the fact that she's more skilled than a lot of people I know, or that it looks like she is really happy and enjoying what she is doing.



Hoping this will light up your day and even the rest of the week!

Dog Therapy

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace." - Milan Kundera

Sitting on the back porch with my dog Sheba, while she is playing like nothing else matters, makes me appreciate words like Milan Kundera's, but can't help to think of how wonderful it is that animals have the ability to live 100% in the present; they don't carry excess baggage or wonder about what comes next... they just are!

My husband says that when you have a though day, you come home and if you lay on the floor, our dogs will come right at you and will "lick" your troubles away... it's our own personal dog therapy.

Some people pay millions to visit a "shrink" and find meaning to their lives, or a doctor because they are depressed. Well, maybe a better way to find relief in life is by sharing it with man's best friend or any other animal to keep you company and make your life very enjoyable.

I know this from experience and it's true, an animal will give you love and companionship no matter what, but like any important relationship in life, it needs reciprocation, care, love and attention.

Once you give an animal the opportunity to share life with you, I'm sure you will receive more benefits than you can imagine!

Have a wonderful week!

Felicitous Friday

There are several reason for my contagious happiness today, first of all it's Friday so officially for me, the weekend starts @ 4:30pm, besides that, it's the 15th so that means it's Pay Day, woo-hoo!

And last but definitely not least, yesterday night I got the best news of the year (so far)... my brother and his wife got a job at one of the local Dive Shops (Ocean Frontiers) and are moving Grand Cayman to live about 40 min away from us!!!

I certainly can't wait to see them again, give them both a huge hug, go diving and just spend time together.

My prayers have been answered, for me having family close by is a dream come true. But don't get me wrong, even though I have a great life here with my loving husband and my two crazy dogs, I've always had a very good and strong relationship with my parents and siblings, so having Mau and Gaylene close by makes up for all the year of being away from home, family and friends.

And those are some of the reasons of my happiness today, I can't stop thanking God for this wonderful blessing and while there are people there suffering so much, I believe this is another sign that my happiness needs to be shared by helping those in need, so I'm off to give some stuff for the Haiti people as well as a little cash to help with the recovery process.

Have a happy and safe weekend!

Belated Wed. Movie Post

Last night we went to the theater to watch the film Avatar.

This movie is an epic journey into a land of fantasy. Loved the effects (even if we didn't watch it in 3D), the colors, the amazing scenery and the fact that nature was all over, even the animals being such weird creatures were pretty astonishing as well.

The story, like many other about conquests, is a very predictable one, but there is definitely a lot of very strong messages in it.

Parts of the movie were unfortunately sad for me, as I couldn't help but see the reflection of us human killing other cultures and believes, but specially destroying the natural of order of things, being nature and the planet the one that pays the higher prize for our useless needs.

This is a good choice of movie to watch and I'm sure when I can get my hands on a DVD I will watch it again, so of course I give this movie

Have a great day!!!

Burning a candle with purpose

 

Today I'm going to be burning a candle in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Haiti that are going through such a difficult time after an earthquake hit them yesterday.

Almost a year ago on Jan 8th it was the faith of my dear Costa Rica, along with my family, friends and many other fellow Costaricans that got affected by the same tragedy.

And that's when reality check comes in order;
We complain about the weather but we forget that we have a roof over our head, a comfortable bed and covers to keep us warm. People in Haiti had very little and a lot of people have even less today.

We sometimes feel can't find anything to wear as everything is old and we just want to go to the mall and buy more new stuff. So, if we have a full closet maybe is time to start sharing with others.

We are either too fat or too skinny but don't realize that at least we have the food to eat or not to eat if we choose to. Imagine not having the choice of food at all.

But mostly we take people and relationships for granted, days go by and we sweat the small stuff without realizing how it could all be gone in a second. Haiti people not only lost family, friends, coworkers in yesterdays tragedy, but maybe even their own will to live.

I know that even before this tragedy stroke this country, it was already consider by many the poorest country in the western hemisphere and probably one of the poorest in the world.

So today and for now on I will be sending intentional thoughts (like I read on one my favorite blogs) of love and strength to all our brothers and sisters in Haiti, so they manage to find a way to get over this difficult time and rise from the ashes of destruction. And I invite everybody to do a little of their own by at least burning their own candle.

Have a blessed day!

Weather Watch

"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather."  ~John Ruskin

One of this days I read a post by a fellow blogger that said, when you don't know how to start a post it's always a good choice to start it with a quote. 

The weather here on the island is being really cold from Saturday. Of course it is all relative when you talk about most things and specially when you talk about the weather. 

What can be consider cold to me (late 60'sF) could be consider quite warm for places like Michigan or any of the other places in the northern hemisphere where it's winter now.

But when you think of it, if you live on a place like our island when the average daily temperature is 84F, then on a day like yesterday with a temperature of 67F, that's a difference of 18 degrees, so yes, it feels cold to us!

And by saying this I don't mean to offend anybody that is going through very low temperatures and even having to deal with snow as well... 

But again as I mentioned before, it's all relative, I live here in the Caribbean, I'm used to shorts, t-shirt and flip flops weather and not having to actually use the hoody on my roxy sweatshirt or sleep with socks!

Hope that wherever you are reading this, if you experiencing winter time, that you are keeping warm and if your weather is bad, try to see the beauty in it and enjoy it as much as you can.

"The Weather is here... Wish you were beautiful"- Jimmy Buffett.