Good To Remember

Something to think about. I have fallen into the trap of putting myself down because something is not perfect or just right. Completely ignoring the fact that I wouldn't have gotten to this point if I was not trying my hardest, and guess what? I also would not have gotten to this point if I had not improved on where I was before. If I was still where I was at the start, then, sad to say, my life for all intents and purposes would be pointless. So we must learn to accept the fact that baby steps are OK as long as we're moving(slightly paraphrased from Chris Gardener's book "Start Where You Are"). This advice is not necessarily applicable only for working out, it can be used and applied in everyday life and situations. So remember, keep working at it. Never give up! Progress is key!

Yours,

Lizzie... ; -)

London 2012 Wrap Up

The wagon has all but left me on this one, but better late than never I always say! Congrats to Jamaica for doing such a wonderful job this year at the Olympics! We topped our best on the medal table!! The London Olympics closed for us with a total of 12 medals as opposed to China 2008 11 medals!! As I have read and am fond of thinking, as long as you're moving forward, progress is inevitable.

How about that closing ceremony?! Spice girls reunion? About damn time is what I say to that!

One of the many joys of my childhood.....

And I have always believed and still believe that the world's greatest rock musicians came from England. Well the majority of them anyways. That was some concert London. Merci!!

It goes without saying that I am absolutely euphoric about Jamaica's success (even if I did already say it... ;)) However honourable mention must be made for achievements which stemmed from other countries:

1. Trinidad! Thank you for bring home a gold medal in the Javelin. Shocking enough that the country was from the western hemisphere, and then even more outrageous that it was a Caribbean country!! I'm sure the Europeans (who have been medalling in this event for over 30 years I believe) are already plotting their revenge. Cheers to Keshorn Walcott for a job well done. I watched you throw, and man you are amazing. You had that gold medal from the first throw kid; and based on what I heard Trinidad has certainly rewarded you well.

Elated!

2. Mo Farrah....WOW! Distance runners are already on pedestals in my book. But to win the 10000m and 5000m and, in my opinion, make it look easy?! I know that Britain is proud because they have never before won a men's long distance gold and now they have two. Yay!!

Someone's excited!!!

3. To break a record in general is a feat in itself. To break a record set by someone else will put you on another level. To break a world record set and held by yourself puts you in a whole other ball game. This just shows a person's determination to put their best foot forward always and hints that they are destined for greatness. Of whom am I speaking? Well of course none other than David Rudisha of Kenya who won the his first 800m gold and set a new world record of 1:40.91, breaking the previous record set by him a couple years before.

Go deh my yuttttteeeeeeeee!

4. I was really hoping for another gold by Jamaica in the 4 by 100m, alas it was not meant to be. However we did very well coming in second place to the Americans who SMASHED the world record, mostly aided by Jeter running the anchor leg. When Carmelita Jeter lets loose? Not even a Jamaican can catch her! Kerron Stewart did her best to keep up however. They chopped almost a full second off the previous time 41.37 set by the German's in 1985 to drop it to 40.82. A record I believe will stand for a while yet.

 What what?!

5. Congrats to Bahamas who ended USA's 4 by 400m men's winning streak. A lot of people will say they are injured, yes they were. I admit it but history doesn't remember injuries (unless you're Asafa Powell who I love very much!!) History remember's winners. So thank you Bahamas for adding to the Caribbean's medal tally for 2012.

Yay!

6. I know I said honourable mentions from other countries, but I think these two need a big up to. So to Samantha Albert (Equestrian) and Kenneth Ewards (Taekwondo), thank you! Jamaica has not participated in any event other than Track and Field for a long time. Just representing us in and of itself is wonderful!!

All in all it was a wonderful two weeks, and many record breaking and history making achievements were witnessed and recorded. Congrats to everyone who participated! Even if you did not medal, you should be proud; by virtue of the fact that you made it to the Olympics you are already among the world's best athletes. I leave you with one more picture, just because I love it!

Makes me smile....

Yours,

Rio Here I come!!!... ;- )

ONE, TWO, THREE, Sweeeeeeeeeeeep!!!

WOW!!! Can you just imaging the excitement in Jamaica today?!

         

   

I was really at a loss for words! I really had Martina of the Netherlands pegged as the wildcard in this race, if Weir didn't get the bronze medal I would have expected him to have it but bwoy was I surprised.....

I was at work when the race was run and let me tell you, thank God for the person who started putting televisions in waiting rooms, because without it I probably would have balled. I'm pretty sure Jamaica stopped for that 19.32 seconds before Usain Bolt grasped the gold; the 19.44 seconds that Yohan Blake took home the silver; and the 19.84 seconds that Warren grabbed on to the bronze. 

Not just Jamaica, but the whole world!!

This man had time to do push ups?!

Do a victory lap together.

Another victory lap, take some pictures....

some more pictures....really Weir?! Gang signs?! 

Since the Track and Field events for the Olympics started, Jamaica has been writing history. And you know what?! A tek it to dem wi ago tek it to dem!!

Yours,

Still more to coooommmeeeee.... ; -)

Happy 6th August Jamaica!!

Today Jamaica celebrates 50 years of Independence. That, despite the issues that Jamaica has faced up until now and is still presently facing, must be acknowledged as a significant accomplishment. I do sincerely hope that for my country, the only path we choose from here on out is the one forward!!

In order to share my love for my country with everyone, I have decided to outline reasons why I love my home and why you should love it too(in no particular order):

1. 95% of the year the sun is shining. Every morning that I wake up and look out my window to see the trees bathing delicately in the largely overbearing sunlight, the birds chirping and a light breeze blowing (sometimes haha), it warms my heart and puts a smile on my face. Any day that starts with a smile is bound to be a good one!

2. Jamaicans are not afraid to fight for what they believe in.

3. Our food is AMAZING!

4. EVERY citizen is talented. Not one. Not two but EVERY citizen. For proof simply look at our achievements in every sphere or possible occupation. Not only in our country but all over the world, you are bound to find a Jamaican!

5. In light of #4 we can then surmise that when we put our minds to something, we will stop at nothing, and will brook no denials until our goal has been achieved.

6. Our motto "Out of many One people" rings true. You only have to look around to witness the varied people groups that have either settled here long ago, or recently and now call Jamaica their home.

7. Jamaicans look out for each other.

8. Jamaica has given birth to some of the greatest people in the world: Bob Marley, Louise Bennett Coverley and Usain Bolt to name three.

9. The fastest man on earth comes from Jamaica!

10. Everybody who's heard of Jamaica wants to visit! If you've visited Jamaica, you never leave the same.

11. Snoop Dogg *clears throat* Snoop Lion, had a spiritual awakening here. Noted by his immediate name change upon departure.

12. James Bond was born here in the parish of St. Mary.

13.  A James Bond movie was also made here, see Dr. No.

14. Our dialect is as diverse as it is unique.

15.  The colours of our flag complement each other perfectly!

16. Our beaches are magnificent!

17. Our people are gorgeousssssss!!

18. There is always something to do.

19. Jamaican's are innovative.

20. The passion innate in all Jamaican's that manifests in what we do.

21. We likkle but we tallowah! Jamaican's don't let the fact that we are a small country be a boundary for us. We go after what we want, no excuses!

22. Our rich history. It has brought us to where are and made us who we are today.

23. I can get coconut water whenever I want. hahaha...; -) When I have the energy to eat the jelly I am NEVER disappointed!

24. We have a national dish, I can't think of any country that has a national dish! Our national dish ackee and saltfish is my favourite food EVER! I could literally eat it everyday. Some people think that ackee is weird, because if you force the fruit open before it has opened on it's own and is ripened properly it is poisonous. But all you have to do is exercise a little patience! Wait until it has opened and this golden little fruit will make you the happiest person on the island!

25. For all intents and purposes, Red Stripe might as well be our national beer. Ha!

26. Jamaicans love to make up dances. Count on one at least once every two months. Okay maybe not that often, but still quite often (hee hee).

27. We DOMINATE track and field.

28. We have qualified for the World Cup before, I am patiently waiting the second qualification. Who knows maybe 2014 will be our year!!

29. Jamaican's know how to have a good time! Even if we're all eating bread and butter, sitting on the veranda people watching.

30. We have a wonderful school system, and I am blessed to have been apart of it.

31. Our mountains, hills, valleys, rivers and oceans. Everything that makes this island "The land of wood and water" as it was referred to as when Columbus landed in 1494.

32. Our music easily lifts spirits, gives hope or simply tells stories. But whatever the intention of the artiste, it is always entertaining!

33. Wi pan chicken sell offfff!!!! (Jerk Chicken)


Yours,

Happy 50th Anniversary!!

He Did It Again!!

Usain Bolt did it agan!!  Now was there any doubt?! In my mind, no. In other people's mind, well a big resounding YES!

Why?

I can't really say for sure. Apparently there was news about injuries and I do recall him saying that he wasn't in his best shape possible but that was waaaaayyyy before the Olympics. Why on earth would we think that he wouldn't prepare?

Men's 100M Finals

There was also that time where Yohan 'The Beast' Blake beat him. At the JAAA trials. I was there. I saw the race. My personal opinion, it was an easy win for Bolt. But hey, what do I know? Needless to say, I called the win and I am proud that I was correct in my estimation. If I was a gambler, I would have made a pretty penny. I did not however call the second and third places correctly. I thought for sure it was going to be Bolt-Gaye-Blake race. Then I found out that Gatlin was running. So I changed my predictions to a Bolt-Gatlin-Blake race. I was correct in the top three, however as we now know Blake got the second place and Gatlin third.

It was brilliantly run! A 100m race with EVERYBODY running under 10 seconds?!(apparently the second fastest 100M race in HISTORY, bet you didn't know that!) Yes, yes, yes, Asafa Powell ran 11.99, so for all intents and purposes definitely not ten. However, he was injured, and before he succumbed to his injury he was right up there with the rest of them and he gave it his all. Still not convinced? Look at it this way, he ran 9.94 in the semifinals, with an injury that's pretty amazing. Once the race really got started, Bolt set the pace and won the race with a 9.63 setting a new Olympic record. With that and bearing in mind the fact that Powell kept with them for pretty much half the race, I'd say he did very well. He probably is feeling really down right now but sir Jamaica still loves you and is still behind you!! To Bolt and Blake, job well done, Keep up the good work, it ain't over yet!!

Men's 100M Finals 

Yours,

O Ye of little faith!