Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation
Over the past several weeks there has been the growing cry of frustration and disbelief at the steady increasing price of gas and petroleum products on the market. This consistent increase comes as a surprise even considering that there have already been global events which have directly impacted the cost of goods and services in just about every country.
Photo credit: newsroom.aaa.com
Normally, the cost of fuel is affected if something disrupts crude oil supplies, refinery operations, or gasoline pipeline deliveries. As of recent , the main global event pushing the world price of gas higher and higher is the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. This incident started just over three months ago and has majorly impacted the cost of fuel.
FYI, Russia is among the world’s largest exporters of gas and petroleum products, with this commodity making up more than 40% of its budget. Russia’s production of crude oil products reached a whopping 10.5 million barrels a day in 2021 and is the world’s largest gas exporter.
So its only expected that this incursion between Russia and Ukraine is definitely affecting gas prices all the way here too. A significant number of countries and governments have placed sanctions on Russian oil and sanctions aside, that event, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean has Russia utilizing millions of barrels of its own oil. Such and other factors will result in less of the product being on the global market.
It’s no different here in Dominica. The price of gasoline is directly affected by world market prices and the cyclical demand and supply phenomenon. Generally, following the basic rules of economics, if there is a huge demand and limited supply then the price of a product increases (as was similarly the case following Hurricane Maria). Alternatively if there is a huge supply and little demand, then the price of a good (fuel in this case) decreases and so on.
Photo credit: riterate.ca
While we, as the individual consumer, have no control or influence over the cost of oil, what we can do is to modify our habits in the meantime so that we don’t always cringe at the ever increasing price of fuel.
Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation
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Intro
Dear Generation Y,
How have you been? It’s midway 2022, and based on the events of the prior 2 years, I know that some of us are just about making that lemonade from all the lemons and adding sugar as we go along. Thankfully,we’ve finally gotten a bit of breathing space from the Co- vid 19 saga and for most of us, (gas prices aside) we’re now slowly transitioning into whatever we can call our actual present reality,beyond the world of face masks.
Which brings us back to the ‘lemonade making’. Wherever this finds you, or whatever your current situation is, let me say this – I am so proud of you Gen Y.
I certainly and 100% know about those lemons, even before the Covid situation. As a fellow Gen Y, I’ve had my fair share. While I may not know about your individual lemons, I’ve lived enough to gather some golden nuggets of knowledge about ‘lemonade making’. So,Here’s the juice.
Juice
First, a little encouragement and a few words of advice. Do your best, try not to worry too much, Don’t overstress anything, Don’t take everything so seriously other than the things that are meant to be taken seriously, live in the moment and lastly, don’t think it’s the end of the world if things don’t work out as planned.
If it’s one thing I have learned and can tell you with confidence is that, for those of us who consistently put in the effort, THINGS EVENTUALLY WORK OUT. The script may not go according to plan or have produced the movie you expected, but with continued effort – things will come together.
Which brings me to the next piece of advice – Do everything you can to keep a positive outlook on life. This may be easier said than done, but it can be done and with great benefit. Look for the silver lining of every rain cloud, and even an inch of ‘upside’ in every situation. Because, every situation can produce an opportunity for growth.When you choose to develop an ‘attitude of gratitude’, you learn to make that personalized lemonade work for you, which can open many unexpected doors. It seems tough right now, but test it out. The experiment is proven to show some positive results.
A note to the younger drinkers
To the younger Gen Y (25-29 years)
Right now you’re In your mid to late 20’s and are planning your life/career as we speak. Good for you. Those of us on the other end of the generational cohort have been there. This is one of the most important parts of your journey, which can predict the next 10-15 years of your life. Your family will impress upon you the importance of having a steady job and having your future planned out and the family influence will very likely be great at this stage. But, as previously mentioned… ‘ The next 10 -15 years of your life’, is coming right up.
If your family’s preference for your future doesn’t quite add up with what you want, It can be extremely intimidating to have a conversation at this point to explain to them why you are choosing to ‘march to the beat of your own drum’ and not toward the path that they expect of you. Word of advice, don’t ignore the need for that conversation. It’s more important than you can imagine, to have that open discussion with your family about the path that you do choose and to do so with complete clarity. When it is out of the way, you’ll be happy you did it ( regardless of the response) and can then allow yourself to pursue whatever it is that you are passionate about – openly, freely & whole heartedly.
Lavender Lemonade Martini
Photo credit: rockingmealsss.com
The word lavender comes from the Latin word ‘lavare’ meaning (“to wash”) and the color of lavender usuallysymbolizes gracefulness, elegance, calmness, creativity, vitality and optimism. For the rest of us on the more mature end of the Generation Y cohort, (30 – 40 years old), the above advice would likely not apply as we’re past this stage. At this point, we’re sipping on lavender lemonade Martini’s for mature audiences only. We’ve been through the spin cycle a few times and are just on the peak of realizing the true value of life and the things that really matter. Yes, our lemonade definitely has a hint of lavender with all the wisdom we’ve acquired in the past decade, especially on aprofessional and personal level.
Personally – In your 30’s to 40, you can either be sipping those life lavender lemonade martinis gracefully or be at a personal stand still. At this point, now is the time to recollect, regroup and plan the way forward. If you’re stuck, don’t stay stuck. Sure,life probably didn’t deliver all that you were promised. But by now, we’ve already seen that life is not a Disney movie, and as fully grown adults, the excuse of being disappointed vs. expectations is no excuse at all to not keep going. So, sip those martinis, be mindful of all the lessons that you’ve acquired and plan, plan, plan your way forward. Except this time, recognize that plans should not be rigid. Leave adequate room for growth and unexpected curveballs. You’ll find that this is a better approach.
Stuck in a rut professionally? Or is it that the job you once chose no longer appeals to you or feels mundane and repetitious? You’re not alone. This is a common occurrence with many, especially closer to 40 and particularly if there is no room for upward mobility or growth in your current work environment or field.But there’s hope. What you can do is try a change of attitude and do some self searching as to what may have gotten you to feeling like this along the way, and determine if there’s something that you can change within yourself and your work environment to revamp your optimism. If you’re up for it, maybe it’s time to also start making moves to improve yourself professionally. This could include taking courses to become more qualified or taking courses in another field. Pursuing a more exciting career is also an option to consider. Who says it’s too late? 75 year old grandmother’s are out here getting their driver’s license for the first time. It’s early; if you really want to, go ahead and take the steps necessary to make that change. It can be scary, but if you believe in yourself, you can put things into place and take that much needed leap into happiness and greater professional satisfaction.
Closing
Each year makes us wiser and more knowledgeable about ourselves, who we are and where we want to be in life. The trick is to stay inspired. The world’s going to go through its changes and trials will come, but what matters is who you are and who you become amidst all of that. Let us look forward with hope and optimism, being mindful that the decisions we have made in our younger years and the seeds we plant today will all come together and contribute toward the next leg – our #40’s & the overall bigger picture.
Don’t be nervous, just keep growing, moving and transforming at every stage. In the words of Aristotle – “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
Cheers to being an aspiring generation – Generation Y.
Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation
While many have attributed Trinidad as the birthplace of Calypso, it is more accurate to say it developed simultaneously in different Caribbean countries. This rhythm was first introduced to Barbados and the wider Caribbean during the 1600s by the first slaves brought to the region. These slaves would use satire to poke fun at those in authority (Taken from http://www.gobarbados.org)
Street musician playing drums in Trinidad, Cuba. Image credit:Ieyenews
It’s Calypso season in Dominica and despite the restrictions placed on this festive season and the show being brought to the public virtually, rather than the usual ‘in person’ performances, the art form is alive and well in 2022.
Calypso is one of the more entertaining forms of social commentary, which uses masterfully masked lyrics to speak toward the issues of the day through song or simply for entertaining listeners.
Words are powerful and there is definitely power in calypso. Not only does calypso music have the power to stir people up into a frenzy at a show, or make the crowd dance, but calypso also has the power to influence the conversations and actions of the people. This art form has the power to open up the eyes of individuals by shedding light on things that are in plain sight but may remain unknown.
Calypsoes in Dominica are popularly known for pointing out social injustices and the perceived flaws or misdeeds of the government superpowers of the day. On the other hand there are calypsoes that identify the root of a problem and provoke calls to action.
Take a look at the issue of child abuse. Tasha P sings a fittingly appropriate calypso, ‘Let Children Be Children’, on how adults (parents, guardians, and observers) can play their role in ensuring children have a good childhood. Calypsonian Brancker ‘De Brakes’ John calls on Dominicans to assist in making a better society in his song ‘Keep de Candle Burning’, a song which speaks to uniting the country, and alleviating all social ills, through prayer.
Gun violence is another topic which comes up every now and again. Daddy Chess ‘Wild Wild West’ and Hurricane’s ‘Unarmed But Dangerous’ speak to this issue and how we, as s people, should tackle it. The illegal drug trade is addressed boldly by calypsonian Diva Nyoka in her poignant song titled ‘Montego Bay’, hitting the nail on the head.
The list of topics speaking on concerns goes on and on. The country’s multitude of calypsonians has a plethora of topics to choose from when deciding which song to perform. Calypso has been a staple of Dominica’s carnival for several decades dear Gen Y. As the world shifts into musical art forms that are purely for entertainment, rather than being geared toward inspiring change, let’s remember calypso. Let us embrace her as the powerhouse that she is and preserve her art form for future generations. Calypso is and has been much more powerful than we think. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation
Image credit:Worldakkam.com
Black History Month is recognized every February in the United States of America, with the purpose of recognizing and paying homage to numerous individuals of African descent, who have made significant contributions and impact throughout the course of history, in the fields of medicine, technology, politics, entertainment, civil rights, sports, science etc.
The impact of those celebrated have not only benefited the United States, but the world. Black History Month is also observed in Canada (in February) and the United Kingdom and Ireland (in October).
As we near the end of the month of February, an interesting theory comes to mind, Gen Y. Here in the Caribbean, particularly in Dominica, we live in a society which is largely of African ancestry. So, should we celebrate Black History Month?
This can develop into quite a lively discussion. On the one hand, someone can argue that we should not, as it is an ‘American’ thing. One could go further to say that one of the reasons the month-long celebrations even exists is to highlight the accomplishments of black people since these are seldom brushed aside by the predominantly white elite in the U.S.
The atrocities of the North Atlantic Slave Trade gravely affected societies and the repercussions are still being felt today among black people in the United States. However, in the region, yes there is discrimination, but not to the level that it exists in these more developed countries.
Also, having a largely black population where people are treated fairly equally can diminish the need to highlight that we are a people of ‘colour’ who contribute to society. Furthermore,Dominicans regularly recognize and celebrate our culture which was passed on to us by our African ancestors and infused with hints of the colonial masters.
There are continuous celebration of ourselves and forefathers through our food, music, dance, and dress can be seen as proof that we are proud of our black/African heritage and as well there are other specific holidays (e.g creole day) which come around every year to highlight our African Ancestors and culture.
Image credit: Dominicaexplorer
On the other hand of the argument- for Black history month celebrations, one can put forth the argument that we should celebrate it simply to show support and join the wider recognition of ‘black people’ . To be fair, the month is acknowledged in Dominica as various schools inform students of the fact that this month exists. But why would someone say we should celebrate February as Black History Month?
Well, one could simply point out that since we benefit from the inventions and barriers broken by African Americans then it is only fair we learn about them and teach the history. That way, we can become more knowledgeable on the talents of the black community and use it as inspiration, that we too can break glass ceilings.
This argument could go on and on , back and forth. Lastly, here’s some food for thought; how relevant and meaningful is Black History Month? When we look back on history it is more or less neutral and not necessarily a call to action. How about we have a month celebrating the potential of Black people? That way we continually inspire people of all races to aspire to their highest potential and change the world for the better.
Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation
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Dear Gen Y, the month of January 2022 has finally closed off; which makes it official that 2022 is actually here. After the past 2 years of ‘God knows what’s going on’ in the world, by the end of December 2021 many of us had resolutions that were much more inspiring than those of the past – Healthier diets, making new connections, eliminating stagnant ones, implementing new life goals etc. etc.
Yes, after having experienced extreme ‘Covid fatigue,’ we longed for a new beginning at the onset of 2022. Now, here it is that January 2022 has now come and gone; and as of yesterday, we are officially in the month of February.
It’s time to regroup. Where are we so far for 2022?
For most, 2022 did not exactly start off with quite ‘the bang’ hoped for. Rather, it felt like a continuation of 2021, which felt like a continuation of 2020 – overall an opening to another consecutive year of pandemic struggles. For others who were determined on maintaining a positive outlook no matter what, displaying a positive mental attitude, regardless of any external factors, ushered in a whole new perspective that made January 2022 feel like that much needed new beginning.
It all depends on where you stand on the 2022 spectrum.
Taking a look at some key happenings so far for the year (in no specific order), here are some events that have taken place.
Starting at the local level, there has been some surprising news for two sectors. In January, the government of Dominica announced that face to face school classes will soon resume. While this was proposed to be executed on a phased basis and no official date is yet released, it is a welcome relief for parents who have been jumping through hoops to make the online homeschool dynamic work since 2020.
Another piece of news for entertainment lovers, is the proposition to host carnival events for vaccinated persons. Caribbean residents care much about ‘fete – ing’ and this announcement is also of great importance for those vendors and businesses who used to earn adequate revenue from these sort of events. While the final decision is still pending, it is particularly anticipated as 2022 would have marked the second year of no carnival activities in Dominica.
Also in local entertainment, musicians were awarded over the last weekend in January at the first ever Dominica Music Awards. We saw Carlyn XP, Reo, Starsha, Asa Bantan, among others receive awards in numerous fields such as Best Female Artiste, Best Music Video, Best Soca Artiste and Best Male artiste. Lifetime awards were also distributed at that ceremony.
In the region, Barbados held its general elections where incumbent Prime Minister Mia Mottley was re-elected to the post of Prime Minister.
Further afield the world is getting more comfortable bringing international sports into the spotlight. During the last week in January athletes from around the world began arriving in Beijing, China for the Winter Olympics due to commence in February.
Traveling for sporting events has become somewhat regular in the region, and Dominica’s female football team will be participating in the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers in Anguilla. Other athletes, especially cricketers, have been traveling throughout the Caribbean and the world, for numerous matches.
A lot more has happened in Dominica, the region and the wider world – such as the eruption of an underwater volcano near Tonga, the impending nomination of the first Black American female to the United States Supreme Court, and the possible invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
All in all it’s clear to see that so far for the first 31 days of the year, the world is not letting COVID stop it in its tracks any longer and is definitely #MovingForward. Happy 2022 everyone.
Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation
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Every generation has its slew of popular child actors who were fan favorite’s. Well, we’re about to look at our top 5 childhood actors & actresses who rose to stardom when we were growing up and who you might not hear much about these days.
#wherearetheynow
Let’s start off with Jaleel White. He is most popularly known for his role as Steve Urkel in the hit sitcom Family Matters. This show ran for 9 seasons, from September 1989 to July 1998. And you must admit this show was a definite favorite among our generation and unforgettable. I’m sure you recall Urkel’s signature phrase “did I do that?”. Well, let’s see what he’s doing now.
Image credit:hollywoodreporter
This 44 year old actor moved on from Family Matters to pick up several roles over the years. He copped quite a few awards and received many nominations during his career. White appeared in the shows Grown Ups,House, Psych, and Legal, just to name a few. Movie credits include Dreamgirls, Scooby Doo and Guess Who? He also dabbled in voice acting portraying the voice of Sonic The Hedgehog. Jaleel also made sure to follow up on his education, attending UCLA and obtaining a degree in Film and Television. To date he has a recurring role on the Netflix show ‘The Big Show’.
Up next we have a double whammy with the Olsen Twins: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. These two were double trouble for the television industry as they were highly sought after and had specially crafted roles being mirror images of each other.
You may first remember them from the series Full House. But they’ve also had roles in New York Minute, Holiday in The Sun, Double Double Toil and Trouble, The Parent Trap and It Takes Two etc.
Image credit:mamamia.com
However, these two, both 35 years old, are no longer in the movie business. They are now fashion designers. The twins owned a clothing line for girls aged 4 to 14 in Wal-Mart stores in North America. They also owned a fashion line titled ‘Mary Kate and Ashley: Real Fashion for Real Girls’. These fashionistas also launched a couture fashion label ‘The Row’. In 2012 the Council of Fashion Designers of America named the twins Womenswear Designer of the Year for ‘The Row’. They received this award again in 2014.
We’re moving on to Mark Paul Gosselaar. Who can forget this teen heart throb who played Zack Morris on the ever popular ‘Saved By The Bell’ ? This show ran from 1989 to 1993 and followed a group of six high school friends through their school years.
Image credit:meshealth.com
Mark Paul, currently 47 years old, has also since then starred in films such as Mixed-ish, NYPD Blue, and Franklin & Bash. He also has several awards to his name as his career spans over thirty years. While staying true to his love for acting, Gosselaar has delved into a number of other activities which have also earned him recognition such as race car driver, track cyclist, and dirt biker.
Next on our list as well is Raven Symone, another child actress who caught the eye of many from a tender age. She appeared on the Cosby Show as Olivia Kendall from 1989 to 1992. Raven, like several other child actors, has numerous awards, nominations and accolades to her name.
Image credit:pintrest.com
This actress, who is also a singer and songwriter is well associated with Disney having starred in works such as Cheetah Girls (both movies), Xenon Girl of the 21st Century, and That’s So Raven. Her relationship with Disney also saw her using her voice talent in the animated series Kim Possible.Dr. Dolitte and College Road Trip are just two of the many movies she has starred in which went on to become box office hits.
To date Raven Symone continues her work in the entertainment industry acting and singing and picking up more fame and recognition along the way.
We’ll wrap up this top five with our girl Tatyana Ali from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She played Ashley Banks during the show’s run from 1990 to 1996.
42 year old Tatyana is also a singer has performed alongside her Fresh Prince co-star Will Smith in songs such as Boy You Knock Me Out and Who Am I. Apart from accumulating numerous awards and nominations, Ali has picked up roles in several tv projects and has had a recurring role on the popular daytime drama ‘The Young and The Restless.’
Image credit:pintrest.com
Ali made sure she prioritized higher education attending Harvard University and obtaining a Bachelor of Arts edger in African-American Studies and Government. She traveled the United States as a spokesperson for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.
Thanks for checking out our list of five child actors and where they are now. We know you may have another top five and we’d love to hear from you who made your list so leave us a comment!
Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation
persons displaying variations of Dominica’s National wear Image credit: pintrest.
Dominica’s Creole Season is here. Prior to these Covid times, every year from October to early November this period was once the most vibrant season. There’d be creole festivals, creole wear constantly on display, creole décor in almost every public institution and the most memorable, delicious ‘creole’ foods. Indulging in traditional creole foods around this time annually, is something that locals and visitors alike would look forward to.
Something that makes food so delectable at this time of year, is its seasonality or limited availability. You read right. Some of our most delicious creole foods are seasonal. While you may argue that we can have ‘codfish and bakes’ at any time of year, this is not the same for local crab back and other seasonal meats. These are the components that really add flare, flavour and the unique Dominican quality to food.
The Hunting season in Dominica opens its doors just in time for these foods to be available during the months of October and November.
Because of the catastrophic Hurricane Maria that shook Dominica back in September of 2017, the wildlife population had been dealt a near death blow. The Hunting Season that year, and the following year, had been closed to give local wildlife some time to recover and replenish.
Here in 2021, in spite of existing pandemic restrictions, Dominica has launched its Independence celebrations calendar of activities as of October 1st and many people can say ‘Thank God,’ now that the season is open so that they can enjoy the mouth watering, seasonal treats.
Here are the top 5 creole foods to enjoy for Dominica’s Independence Season
Crab back – This food is a must on everyone’s menu. This is especially so on Creole Day, which in Dominica is the last Friday in October, and the island’s official Independence Day on 03rd November. although one of the priciest creole meals, it’s also one of the most delicious. This delicacy sells out like hot cakes, and to some it is well worth the price to have crab back on their plate for independence celebrations.
Crab backs. Image credit: Dominica Chronicle
Agouti – have you had a broth with smoked agouti meat? This animal ranks high on the list of foods which makes the Creole season what it is. This meat is best enjoyed in a one pot such as a broth or ‘agouti water’. But stewed agouti with rice, ground provision, and peas is just as delicious.
Stewed agouti. Image credit: sidechef.com
Manicou – The Manicou can fall in a similar category as the agouti, but don’t get it wrong, it is not a replacement meat. Each of these foods has its own unique texture and flavour. A true connoisseur can easily tell the difference between agouti water and manicou water. This tasty meat is a healthy addition to any Creole dish.
Callaloo Soup – This is actually Dominica’s National dish, which became the country’s national dish in 2013. There are many variants of this dish across the region but Dominica’s callaloo is made from young dasheen leaves. A good bowl of callaloo is a filling meal for anyone. This soup contains ground provision, vegetables and guess what? It can also hold crab, agouti, or manicou meats! I’m sure you’ve heard of the famous crab callaloo.
Sancoche – ‘Sancoche’ is another popular dish at creole time. Saltfish is a staple food around the Caribbean, it’s origins tracing back to the days of slavery. This ‘one pot hold all’ meal consists of saltfish boiled down in coconut milk with anything else you want in the mix (ground provisions etc.).
The ban on hunting remains in place for birds, freshwater fish, mountain chicken (or crapaud), and iguanas.Most in Dominica can remember having the mountain chicken (which used to be our national dish prior to 2013) as a delicacy at this time of year.
However due to the critically endangered label on the animal it is off limits for now. The temporary lifting of the ban on hunting truly makes Dominica’s culture peak in the months of October and November. We must also use this ban to reinforce the need to take care of the environment, not just for ourselves and future generations, but also for the wildlife which play such a key component in our traditions and culture.
Dominica’s Independence is officially celebrated on November 3rd. We wish a happy Independence season and independence day to Dominicans everywhere, and happy ‘independence season eating’ to all.
Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation
Image credit: DAVibes
Well, It’s official. There’s no W.C.M.F (Dominica’s World Creole Music Festival) this year… again.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit made the announcement in September but did leave the population with a glimmer of hope as he explained that $400,000 had been set aside to host a show with local artistes.
While this has not yet been finalized, we assume that’s due to recent updates with the current COVID-19 pandemic and the possible reallocation of finances, we just have to wait and see.
This is the second consecutive year Dominica will not have a W.C.M.F due to the pandemic, and by now we know there are people itching for the festival.
But what does it really mean to miss The W.C.M.F this year more than missing one of the most dynamic festivals in the Caribbean?
The impact of no Festival for two years in a row is far reaching and affects just about every sector of the economy.
The tourism and hospitality sector is deeply impacted and will miss the Festival the most. In the hospitality sector things are already on the rocks since the pandemic forced the international movement of people to come to a standstill in 2020. This resulted in several hospitality and tourism employees losing their livelihoods. And although to date the numbers are picking up, we are nowhere close to what they used to be. So you can just imagine how much they particularly miss the festival.
Farmers and fisherfolk are also in the category of those who miss the Festival. The weekend-long event resulted in increased crowds on the island from all over the Caribbean and the world. Masses of people mean more food, which means more produce being purchased from those in the agriculture sector. No festival means that anticipated spikes in these sales are no longer expected for the farmers and fisherfolk.
What about the various business owners? The list goes on of the number of businesses who profit from the event. From clothing stores (got to get those outfits right) to hair and nail salons, the absence of the W.C.M.F hits home. The crowds which were drawn to the island by the festival as well as locals would, in turn, cause more activity at the various stores around the country. Another year of no festival means that these same businesses have no rise in revenue to look forward to.
Self employed individuals, or those who work multiple jobs to make ends meet will also miss out on the benefits of the Festival. Those who pick up extra shifts doing security work, liaison work, or even preparing food at the Festival won’t profit from that additional source of income this year.
In the spirit of optimism, some are still looking at the very microscopic bright side.The at surface level party goer may think that he or she may have wasted lots of money purchasing three outfits for that weekend (It’s go big or go home for this event). And a patron may think that he saved hundreds of dollars in the absence of the Festival. But for us World Creole Music Festival – Aholics the bright sides are very dim (or non- existent).
While we understand the reason for canceling the Festival once more, we must admit it does have extensive effects on the people of Dominica. Nonetheless, we remain committed citizens knowing that the health of the population comes first.
Still… #missingWCMF and looking forward to greater expectations and those notorious ‘3 nights of pulsating rhythms’ for 2022.
Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation
The importance of money has been drilled into us from a very young age. Earning money is directly related to having a job. For some, having a job means working hard to ensure you get your money at the end of the month, or every fortnight. We have also been taught if you put in the effort and work hard those higher up will see this and promote you, or reward you appropriately.
While we can’t ignore the significance of working hard we must also be aware of the value of working smart. Lately the phrase ‘work smarter not harder’ has been gaining popularity, and rightly so as there are several benefits to working smarter.
Working smarter in this sense simply means developing a strategy whereby you prioritize and stay focused while on the job. This plan of action will reduce the chances of you feeling overwhelmed and overworked. Prioritizing your tasks will help you accomplish what you need to within the given timeframe. It also cuts back on the chances of taking work home with you or leaving the office several hours after closing time.
You may be thinking: I already prioritize at work and still feel like I’m drowning, what more can I do?
Here are a few useful tips on how to work smarter to incorporate into your usual work routine and see if you notice a difference:
1. Say ‘no’ more often: this one might be tough. Who wants to say no to their boss or co-worker right? But hear me out, saying no will allow you to manage what’s on your plate and help you complete your tasks more efficiently. The lesser your workload the easier it is to prioritize the main tasks and get them done within a reasonable time.
2. Set realistic deadlines: instead of allotting the entire day to completing your tasks, set reasonable blocks of time within which to finish a specific task. Thereby you work towards that deadline and have more time for other tasks to follow.
3. Prepare for the day: this one simply requires you having the knowledge of what the following day entails and deciding how to tackle each activity. This can easily become your evening routine or your pre-work departure routine. Map out what has to be done and in what order you would handle each one. That way when you get to work you won’t waste precious time trying to figure out what there is to do and in what order to do it.
4. Note the progressmade: Be sure to cross things off your to-do list as you knock off the items one by one. Seeing your progress in shortening your list will motivate you to keep going throughout the day. This method is much more encouraging as it also helps you gauge the time needed to complete these tasks in the future.
Now, I’m not saying if you implement these measures you will automatically leave work early, or never feel frustrated. I completely understand that due the dynamic nature of the work environment things can happen which will set you back, for example a faulty computer, or equipment, a customer who takes longer than usual to assist, or delays which are beyond your control. Apart from these workplace incidents try your utmost to take things in stride and work smarter not harder and enjoy being productive in the workplace.
Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation
We are, no doubt, in the digital era. The modern day climate has called for a move to doing business, schooling, and other activities online and it looks as if there will be no turning back.
In addition to more of our business and financial transactions being conducted online, we are now being made more aware of digital currencies. Currencies which we can’t hold in our hand, or physically put in the bank, called cryptocurrency.
Cryptocurrency, or crypto for short, is a digital currency where individual coin ownership and records of transactions are stored in a ledger existing in a computerized database using strong ‘cryptography’.
Crypto is different from traditional money in that what we use is disseminated by a Central Bank whereas crypto exists only in digital form and is generated, or created by computers and decentralized.
The most commonly known crypto currency which most people have heard of is Bitcoin. This is however just one type of crypto currency and there are several types of digital currency out there eg. Ethereum and Cardano.
The following is a basic introduction to crypto currencies and how it works, only for beginners who have probably heard the term before but would like to know how it works and or for those who have never heard of them at all before.
Owing to the fact that crypto currency is gaining traction on the global market, we figure we’d help you better understand how this works at the very core, so that you can decide if it’s something you want to invest in.
Now, bear in mind that crypto currency is fairly new hence still volatile, in that its value is not steadily pegged to the US dollar hence it fluctuates a lot. But on the flip side, you can convert crypto to cash and make (traditional) money off of it, which makes it worth exploring.
Firstly, in order to buy crypto, you’ll need a ‘wallet’ which is typically an online app that can hold your digital currency. There are also offline Wallets and it’s good to explore all the options for safely storing your cryptocurrencies. Basically you create an account on an exchange then you can transfer real money to buy cryptocurrency.
The term ‘exchange’ means a Crypto exchange platform or a broker. Kraken, CoinEgg, and Gemini are examples of some exchanges you can look into to create your digital wallet.
Now, the most direct way to get crypto is simply to purchase it on the Exchange and store in your digital wallet. Another way in which you can get digital currency is by mining. This is more time consuming and may not be as fruitful for some, but it still worth a shot. Bitcoin Mining or crypto mining is performed using sophisticated hardware that solves an extremely complex computational math problem. The first computer to find the solution to the problem is awarded Bitcoins or the currency you’re mining.
So,how do you earn real money now that you’ve purchased your crypto, or mined it?
You can trade your crypto for other crypto or for traditional money. A very simple straightforward way to get cash in hand, or currency in your account. Trading currencies is something that you will need to learn a little bit more about and there are platforms and tutorials available on the web for beginners to help you understand this process.
Also, you can lend, or stake, your crypto. By this we mean you secure your digital currency and the platform pays you something similar to how a bank would give you interest on your savings.
There is also the ‘buy and hold’ strategy, where you hold on to the currency until its value increases. That way you get significantly more conventional dollars for your crypto.
There is much more to the world of crypto than meets the eye and it’s more than you can learn in this one article. The good news is there are platforms and even schools out there to take you through understanding this new world if you have the time and interest to dive into it.
We sincerely hope this little taste has stirred up your appetite and helps you decide on your future involvement in crypto currency.
Generation Y Dominica 