Oprah's Finale

The Rapture didn't happen on Saturday but an end happened yesterday, “I will not say goodbye, I would say until we meet again; To God be the Glory” she said as she closed the show, a very significant chapter of her life. Yes I am talking about Oprah Winfrey, a woman who has given us twenty five (25) years of her life. I recalled hearing one of the late night comics saying, the world could not end on Saturday because Oprah’s last show was on the 25th. Well he was so right about that. We had her for one hour one last time on that stage as the host of the show.

I am convinced her guess’s anticipation of what the finale show would be stirred emotions of all sorts. Call her what you want, I think the title of TEACHER suits her. A teacher is a person who is many things under that one title. Besides, as she said, she wanted to be a teacher while growing up. The distinct difference between her teaching career and the teacher who goes to school each day is that she had the largest classroom ever and she loved what she was called to do and enjoyed every bit of it. Her classes were filled everyday with millions of people, men, women, boys, girls, gay, straight, black, white etc.  from every corner of the world. Some listened attentively with pens and notepads in hand while others listened with their hearts and soul. She was present every day of the 4516 lessons she taught. It is always a great thing to do what you love and get paid to do it!!!

There was always a lesson for one to walk away with from her classroom, regardless of how infinitesimal it may sound at the time. She brought the right people on to discuss the right issues and in the process she made them a name for themselves. The Caribbean was definitely a part of that classroom and I am sure there are many who would attribute their success or their new perspective on some crucial issues in life to Oprah Winfrey and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Sadly the real impact the show and Oprah, as a role model, had on the lives of persons around the world may never get aired because there is no one to adequately record such.

When I was in Guyana, one of the things I was planning to make a reality when I get to the United States was to attend the Oprah Winfrey Show. Well, so much for that plan! I have no one to blame but myself because I never made the effort to get tickets. There is a lesson to learn here though, and that is that having plans with no action is absolutely useless. It leaves us with thoughts of “What If”, “What would have been”, “What should have been” etc.  I have always been an ardent viewer of the Show and I am encouraged even more by this last Show to pursue my goals, listen to God as he guides me on this journey, which is not easy but not rough enough to detour me.

As Oprah said thank you to the world for allowing her into our homes and hearts for a quarter of a century, I am sure there were tears of joy and some that are just unexplainable.  As she graced the stage for the last time as the host, her warmth, elegance, and radiance lit our TV screens and our hearts. She looked stunningly beautiful in her peach to pink three quarter sleeve dress with a low cut U- neck and of knee high. This was a perfect last show image to leave her audience.

I am sure many would agree with me that one hour was not enough to put 25 years of the Oprah Winfrey Show. However, I must say that that is the very reason she is Oprah, she did a great job of putting the right pieces together. Like a true teacher she has encouraged, inspired, taught, learned and provided solutions for problems. Looking composed for the most part the queen of Television could not hold back the tears as she spoke of her childhood and the journey she took to this day.

Her final words on the show were, “WE DID IT” though they were to her dog …, they were actually the repeat of what she said to her team who she always praised throughout her career because there would be no Show without their contribution. That is what sets her apart from other talk show hosts; she is humble, reasonable in her judgment and leadership, all remarkable qualities of a great teacher.

The thoughts she shared over the years were obviously too much to fit into a one hour show. However those were shared pertinent enough to be repeated while there were a few new ones. Here are some of the thoughts I found significant during the last hour of the show and one of the most significant hours on Television.

“I just wanted to do a good job and cause no harm”

“Life is energy and the way we respond to it determines how the universe will respond to you”.

“The energy you put out comes right back to you”.

“No one completes you”.

“You are responsible for your life”.

“I had no vision”, “My team and Jesus…Nothing but the hand of God made it possible”

“What God?  The one and only GOD I talking about, whatever it is to you”.

“Grace is working in your life if you let it in.”

“Be still and know it, I waited and listen”.

“God is love, God is Life.”

“What are the whispers in your life? What does it stay”?

“Connect, embrace, liberate”.

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What is music? This is a very good question and its answer varies depending on where one is located, the creation, performance, significance and cultural, depending on the social context. We are aware that music has to do with sound and that it is an art form. As an art form it can be classified as fine art, performing art, and auditory art. With this in mind, we can conclude that music is an art form communicated through sound.  It is somewhat a language we all recognize and it is very diverse. Even though the diversity varies, there are some commonalities such as pitch (melody, harmony), rhythm (tempo, meter, and articulation), dynamics (volume, sound, and note), timber (quality) and texture (melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic). To the many people in the many cultures, music is an important aspect of their way of life. Music makes you feel good. It excites the emotions; both new emotions and the ones we already there and it make us want to dance or sometimes cry, both joyfully and sorrowfully. Listening to music from a CD, looking at a music video, or listening to it via any other source, often triggers people’s response.

The common saying, “it is music to the ear,” points to the notion that music is often pleasant to listen to but that is not always the case. We tend to judge music bases on our taste and our cultural background. Who determines what music is and what is noise?

Nevertheless, I thought it would be important to share:

1.            The word Music was derived from the Greek word pronounced mousike, which means, art of the Musis.

2.            Interestingly, there is a strong connection between music and mathematics. 

Mathematics is said to be the basis of sound and in a musical sense the sound produces an amazing array of numbers properties.   I recall some years ago there was a study conducted and it was found that children who listened to a lot of music while growing up were better math students than their peers. I must say I found the finding to be true as it relates to me. One neighbor in particular feared that I was going to fail my Common Entrance Exams because music was constantly being played in our house and I was often singing and dancing. Nevertheless, to think of it, nature is amazingly mathematical. 

Caribbean Music

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Thoughts, Words- Their Impact

When it comes to certain aspects of our lives there are a few words we need to work on eliminating from our vocabulary. To move boldly forward in this beautiful life, we need to think and adapt positive, affirmative thoughts and actions. The power of positive thoughts and positive words have Impacts one’s life in ways we sometimes did not expect.

I am positive that most people desire a better life; one which is full of joy, happiness, peace, perfect health, better relationships, financial freedom, the whole works. However, our mind, thoughts and utterances tend to effortlessly embrace words and phrases such as no, not, can’t, never, don’t, if, but, is difficult, is impossible, and such like.

It is so easy for us to doubt ourselves and our abilities. We seem to be always ready to say no, I can’t, but it is difficult, or something to that effect to ourselves when we encounter a perceived challenging situation.

I recall growing up in the countryside in Guyana, where fruit trees are almost everywhere. Looking up at those trees and longing for some of the best looking ripe mangoes and guavas from some three feet plus off the ground brought numerous thoughts to my little mind. There were thoughts of doubt, fear, and determination and yes, there were tears too. I tried using sticks to knock those fruits down, and when that did not work I asked my older brothers and cousins to grab them for me.

However, as I grew I found that hitting the fruits damaged them and often times there was no one there to get them for me. So, I had to find another way to get to them. It was funny because my confidence seemed to have grown as I was growing. Thoughts of climbing those trees like my brothers did lingered until I ventured out and did just that. I was labeled a “tom boy” because I became a prow at climbing those trees and grabbing fruits not just for myself, but for friends and cousins. The confidence I developed to climbing trees was as a result of my positive thoughts and actions. I recall thinking and saying to myself no, don’t try you may fall, I can’t do this, what if I fall, and all such like. I guess my desire for those fruits were so strong I had opposed those thoughts with thoughts and words like yes, I can, I will be fine, I will get to the top and to the fruit etc. in order for me to develop the courage and confidence to climb.

The doubt negative thoughts place on our minds, are the first barriers we need to bring down. They will only defeat us if we permit them.

I love this verse from the Bible, Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me and Bob Proctor’s quote, “thoughts become things.” I use these two statements and a few others daily. They keep me positive and focused on what I am pursuing.

Thinking positive thoughts, using positive words and phrases, taking affirmative action and letting go and letting God be your guide are the basics for making a better life. 

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Pictures from the Caribbean

Breathtaking Beaches, some of the most gorgeous hotels, fun, Sun shine, Sunset, hospitality and cruses are all words many people around the world can easily associate with the Caribbean Islands. Unfortunately there are too many people world wide who have not experienced this wonder. As such, we have  aome pics for those of you who have not had the experience. Here is a sneak peek.

                                                                        Barbados

                                                                          Bermuda

                                                                       
                                                                          Beautiful

After everyone left

What is he doing out there!! Barbados

What a Beauty

                                                       
                                                                        Relaxed! Bermuda

                      Night fall in Bermuda

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Bake & Saltfish

                       Bake & saltfish

Bakes or floats are made from flour, sugar, salt to taste, margarine, a dash of nutmeg, some essence (vanilla extract) yeast, baking powder and water.

 

                                                              Bakes of Floates


Saltfish, is actually fish preserved in salt. As the name suggest, the fish is extremely salt. To eliminate the excess salt it needs to be boiled at least three times to reduce the amount of salt. Tasting a piece of it prior to using it for whatever purpose you wish is advised.  As the saltfish boils it usually give off a not so nice odor. A little trick i notice my mother would do is to put a stick or cinnamon and a few cloves in the pan with the water or she would boil same in a separate pot. It miraculously takes away that offensive smell. Most people here in the northern hemisphere may know saltfish as cod or Alaskan Pollock. 

 

               This is sold in most grocery stores

 This is what the Pollock saltfish looks like before it is boiled.

 Fried saltfish is very tasty when sautéed with oil and a generous amount of onions, Garlic, celery, tomatoes, some lemon or lime juice or vinegar and peppers. 

Fried saltfish

Yumm... I am sure the pic below tells the story.


Saltfish is prepared and served in different teritories in different way. In Jamaica it is served with Ackee. In Grenadian, St Lucians, Guyanese and a few other territories it is served with ground provision. It is also use to make fishcakes, cooked with vegetables and served with dhal which I will be telling you about really soon. It can be served with bread, rice, Rori, or flat bread. However, to me it taste the best with bakes or floats.

Have you ever had a Guyanese bake and saltfish? 

Nicky
Blessings
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West Indies Cricket – The way forward

West Indies Cricket – The way forward

Millions or should I say billions of cricket fans in the Caribbean and around the cricketing world followed the just concluded tenth International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup on TV, the internet, their smart phones or practically anyhow they possible could. Congratulations to India, a co-host and deservedly, the 2011 World Cup Cricket Champions. They won the finals match against Sri Lanka by six wickets with 10 balls to spare. Sri Lanka played some entertaining cricket throughout the tournament but they were simply outplayed by a group of men who were full or determination, loyalty, and zeal.

Now with that been stated, the questions that are probably on most Caribbean cricket fans mind are:

What has happened to West Indies Cricket?

How can this problem be fixed?

What should be the plans for the way forward?

Pakistan tours the West Indies in less than a month. Will the young me get it together by then?

The West Indies showing in their last match they played in the World Cup against Pakistan left a bad taste in the mouth of its fans. It would seem as if these guys forgot the basics of cricket in their back yards. I have heard a few other reasons for such a embarrassing performance, which does not resonate well with me and thousands I am sure. Nevertheless, I am concerned and I know you are too.

How can this mess be fixed?

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About Caribbean Frames

The phrase, "thoughts become things", is one of the many sayings that stuck with me from the Secrete DVD I bought some years ago. A few weeks before this blog idea came about, my thoughts were, I am always writing stuff on Facebook which sirs the thoughts of my friends, I would love to have a wider platform to share my views. Hmm...That would be something… and my thoughts went wild. As I was thinking I was smiling inside and outside. I am a strong believer in the word of God. With that being said, there is no explanation as to how my thought, request, prayer became a reality. What can I say? God has been in the miracle business long before my time. Believers in the Secret's point of view may be inclined to say the universe responded. That would lead to the question. Who made the universe? The answer to this question has been debated in many circles long before our time. I guess our experiences and other’s testimonies would lead us to the answers.

The name, Caribbean frames, was inspired from my background. As is stated in my profile, I was born in Guyana, the lone English speaking country in South America, which is a member of CARICOM. The latter part of the name FRAMES is actually an acronym. F- foods, R-religions, A- activities, M- music, E- education and S- sports. These are all areas I am comfortable discussing. The literal meanings of the word frame were also considered when this choice was made. My aim is to frame each territory’s experience and bring same to the world. A total stranger to the Caribbean should be able to read, comment view pictures, view videos, listen to music and be wowed into visiting either of the 15 member states or their five (5) associate members. The experience is unforgettable.

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