Extroducing One's Self

At the beginning of this semester, or this class rather, I was slightly boastful. Not in an outright disgusting way, but I must admit, I was kinda cocky. I've entitled this blog "Extroducing One's Self" (I know...not a word) because my first blog was "Introducing One's Self" and yes, as you may have already guessed, this is my last blog here....*teardop*
Nonetheless, I came here to finish basically with what I began..and that is to:
Rate myself as an effective communicator on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being ineffective and 10 being most effective.
I had started the semester saying "On a scale of 1-10, I think as a communicator, I'm a 9. No one wants to say a 10 because "Hey!", boasting isn't cool. I've been told I'm an excellent public speaker and I do well in circumstances requiring articulation, debate and intelligence. I'm able to communicate with others pretty well but no one is perfect. The non-verbal communication I exhibit like my facial expressions, or body language, or mere silence are all forms of communication, just negatively so. I suppose as the class goes on, my Communication Skills class that is, that I'll develop into a better communicator. Perhaps I'm nowhere near a 9 and by the end of the class I may achieve this or greater."

I now end the semester saying "On a scale of 1-10, I think as a communicator, I'm still a 9. Perhaps I shouldn't say 'still', because I know now what I did not know then. I was nowhere near a 9 earlier this semester. I was at most, a 6. I believe I've become more aware of the way in which I communicate with others, especially non-verbally. The saying 'Actions speak louder than words' now resonates in my everyday life. I realize that I was right by saying I was nowhere near a 9 and by this class' end, I really have achieved this (a 9 that is), and that to me, means greater."


God be with you
JoReRi
Jolyne Renelle Richard


Twas a PLEASURE!

The Presentation

So we had our presentation this evening and I must say, it didn't go exactly as planned. We had a programme planned and our guest artiste...didn't even show...What a shame!Yes there were a few glitches but all in all, it DID feel like an award ceremony and it really WAS an evening of excellence!

Another group called RAINBOW 7 presented a 3 Hour Energy drink in the flavours Peanut, Blueberry and Strawberry. The drinks were made from all natural ingredients and they were truly delicious.


I must say that this presentation's activity that was given to us by Mrs.Mangah (now this includes all the presentations done) was one that proved to be quite successful and informative. To imagine...the type of talent we have right in out school at USC...tis AMAZING!


Sliding down a RAINBOW
JoReRi

Ribbit Ribbit [Viewer's Discretion is Advised]

So on the 29th of February....I had the opportunity to dissect a frog. It was for my Foundations of Biology class and I ended up getting a 100% on the lab. It was so much fun. But the thing is...I hate frogs. Nonetheless it was really cool!

These are inflamed lungs

These are eggs from the mother frog

We had to differentiate the different organs in the digestive system of the frog.

Hear this joke:
What kind of shoes do frogs wear?
OPEN TOAD

HAHAHAA

Have a HipHoppity Happy Day
JoReRi

Delilah's on the Lose

We shall call "MOSQUITOES" our Delilah for they really are on the lose, causing some terrible chaos!

I was doing some research on dengue for a friend I have in High School and I came across an article called "Step Up Fight Against Dengue." It was written by P King on the 26th of September 2012 and published in the Daily Express.
It basically reflected the concern of a citizen to the on-going pandemic the dengue fever. The author used a deep sense of imagery that emphasizes on unkept surroundings in which mosquitoes may breed. His sense of concern even spread to an address to the Minister of Health and his faculty using previous evidence of ministers of cabinet’s relatives contracting the deadly disease and hoping that they would undertake some sort of counter measure. His vocabulary was quite precise, and connected well in a synergistic manner. I also agree with the writer that the government should take a greater interest in helping to eradicate or at least minimize the number of cases of dengue victims nationwide by imploying anti-dengue intiatives; such as nationwide clean-ups, making people aware and so forth. At least this in some way or the other, will help make a difference and will inveigle others to do the same.

Crohn the Horrible Monster

Well this is another blog about Crohn's disease. I introduce you once again to my brother...Joel, and he has Crohn's disease.

The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. It is an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when your body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue.

People with Crohn's disease have ongoing (chronic) inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). Crohn's disease may involve the small intestine, the large intestine, the rectum, or the mouth. The inflammation causes the intestinal wall to become thick.

There are different types of Crohn's disease. The type depends on what part of your body is affected.

The following seem to play a role in Crohn's disease:

• Your genes
• Environmental factors
• The body over-reacts to normal bacteria in the intestines

Crohn's disease may occur at any age. It usually occurs in people between ages 15 - 35. Joel got his when he was 16 and I sometimes fear that because I am 16 and we've both been exposed to the same environment that I'll get it. It is a disease that is incurable and it rears its ugly head at random times.

He's having a flare-up at the moment, what with the stresses of exam and all I am asking is that you pray for him. I am worried sick, as he's my brother but also my dearest friends. God be with him!

Thanks in advance

JoReRi

If you want more info on Crohn's disease feel free to look it up at:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001295/

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/crohnsdisease.html

Today's the Day

Today...my group has to do a presentation based on an event...along with another group who has to present a product....I know this blog is short...but I'll make sure it's sweet:
TOP SECRET DETAILS:
My group's doing an event entitled "An Evening of Excellence," where we portray some of the academic achievements made by members of our group...I cant wait to see the success of it all!
We have finger foods...decorations....plants....lighting...even a special guest artiste....this evening truly shall be EXCELLENT

Wish us Luck
JoReRi

It's what I do!

When it comes to communicating, I sometimes prefer communication via writing. Sometimes, when things tend to be difficult for me to express verbally with words, writing it out always seem to help solve my problem.

Writing is a means of expressing one’s ideas or thoughts using events or data. It is a means of effectively expressing yourself through the utilization of words. Words can be used for so many reasons :

Expression

Concealing

Create a dream

To reject

To share

To agree

To love

To fight

To be in your own world

Words can be used in so many ways,How we use them can express what we have to say

To all those who read, what you actually feel, who delve into your heart and discover what's real! 

EXPRESS YASELF!!!!

JoReRi

Quotes on Communication

I was online, trying to see how I could better develop my communication skills. But you know Google, and how it sometimes doesn't give you exactly what you're asking for, but sometimes better. To think, Google's only 13 years old...and brighter than me...LOL!
So I happened to stumble across some quotes on communication, that I found most interesting:

The more elaborate our means of communication, the less we communicate. Joseph Priestley
Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after.Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing.Rollo May
The art of communication is the language of leadership. James Humes
Self-expression must pass into communication for its fulfillment. Pearl Buck

PHENOMENAL WOMAN

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing of my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
The palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

from And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.

Now can you tell me that you dont feel incredible after having read that? It's one of my favourite poems by one of my favourite poets.                      

I dont know about you, but I KNOW that I am phenomenal...are you?

We are all truly phenomenal. GIRL POWER!!!

JoReRi

Is it Him? Is It Her?

I read this devotion a long time ago (on March 8th to be exact), and I found it to be quite wonderful. It's from the book Give It to Me Straight by Fernando Zalsala. It's a Daily Devotional for Youth for 2012. Anyway, I would go around sharing this particular devotion with my friends, and I figured, why not share it on the blog? The topic is the same as the blog's, and it goes:

[Proverbs 19:14] "Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord."

After the decision whether or not to accept Christ as your personal Saviour, what do you think is the most important decision of your life?
In my opinion, it is choosing your life partner: your spouse. If you choose the wrong career, you always have the choice of another one. You may lose some time and money, but you can always change careers. The same could be said about your place of employment, your house, or your friends. In every case you have the opportunity and freedom to choose differently. But this is not the case with marriage, as this choice lasts a lifetime. Once you "jump on this train," you cannot choose to get off, unless your spouse commits adultery. But who want to live his life wishing for adultery, in order to marry someone else?
If you haven't yet decided whom you will marry, pay close attention to the following "tests" suggested by writer Walter Trobisch in his book I Married You:
The respect test: Do I admire this person? Could I introduce him to my family and friends without being ashamed? Do I wish her to be the mother of my children?
The habits test: Does this person have good personal hygiene? Does he have bad breath? What does she eat? What does he drink? What are his pastimes?
The treatment test: How does he relate to the opposite sex? Does he maintain his distance? How does she treat her parents, siblings, or children?
The quarrel test: After a fight, it is easy to reconcile with him? Does she know how to forgive?
The time test: Can I say I really know this person well? Do I know his family, past, principles and moral and spiritual values?
The most important question of all is what does this person think of Christ?
The prayer for today: Lord, I don't want to make a mistake in choosing a spouse. Please guide me as I make this important decision.

I don't know about you, but I found this devotion most applicable to my life as well as that of my peers. If you want, pass it on. It's awesome!
Go with God
JoReRi

Final Presentations Part 1

The final presentations for our Communication Skills class was separated into four, with two groups doing an event and two groups creating their own product. Last evening, April 10th Tuesday 2012, during the time 5:55-7:10 pm, the groups Diverse and Business presented. I must say I enjoyed both presentations.
The group Diverse created a hand lotion called "Forever AloeVera". The cream was light, smelt incredible and did its job as a lotion, which was to moisturise. They gave samples to members of the class, and displayed the actual product which would go for the cost of $12.95 TT. I personally think the group members should consider marketing their good work.
The group Business did a funeral for their dearly beloved "Fishy Business". The presentation was quite comical and whether or not the event portrayed the circumstances of an actual event, the exhibition was superb and most entertaining.
All in all, I was well pleased with the presentations and I do hope Mrs.Mangah felt the same.
My group and another group are to come, and well...I CAN'T wait!

Slangments

Slang refers to informal vocabulary developed and used by particular groups in society. It is casual and sometimes playful language that is deliberately used in place of standard terms. It bonds those in an inner circle who use the same words, but excludes others who don't share the terminology.
I believe that slang used is based on one's culture. I believe the REASON slang is used is in an attempt to fit in with one's society. In my everyday conversations, I tend to use the slang based on my culture in Tobago, because I think one way one can fully express their self is by using a means that they're most comfortable with.  Although slang is not standard English, I see no problem with using it daily, as long as it is in the proper context. I see no problem especially if one is comfortable using it. 
However, I also believe that there's a time and place for everything and the place and to whom I am speaking may have an impact as to whether or not I use slang. Therefore, I think that I am using the slang appropriately since I understand that there are limitations and certain conversations that may need me to speak standard English. In other words, there is a time and place for everything under the sun, and I know when,where and how to use slang.

Do I?

From experience, I believe I am able to express myself well when I am communicating verbally. Although I may prefer writing or drawing as a means of communicating the way I feel, when I communicate verbally, I do a PRETTY darn good job at it, if I do say so myself. I do like communicating verbally though. It allows me to express myself fully.

 I believe that there is clarity in the way I communicate. In my speech! However, I think that the level of clarity can be improved at times. I'm not always able to bring across my point of view in the best of ways. Sometimes the words are there, but they just wont roll off the tongue. We can accomplish clarity in our speech when we use specific words(words that clarify meaning by narrowing what is understood from a general category in a particular item or group within that category). By using concrete (words that appeal to the senses) and precise (words that narrow a larger category) words, we are closer to clarity. The use of literary devices also adds flair to your speech and may improve your clarity. When we are clear in our speech, we can then be sensitive in the way we use our language.


One demonstrates linguistic sensitivity when they choose a language that respects others and avoids usages that others perceive as offensive because they are sexist, racist or otherwise biased. There is generic language which is using words that may apply only to one sex, race, or other group as though they represent everyone. I try not to do this because we tend to generalize everyone as male which to feminists feeds the flame to the fact that we live in a chauvinistic world. Then there is non parallel language which are terms changed because of the sex, race or other characteristic of the individual. I believe you practice linguistic sensitivity when you filter your words. You make sure what you say isn't offensive. That's basically it. It ain't rocket science!

Well, It's ABOUT time

A little modeling on my part. I DO love FASHION!

For someone who likes fashion and shoes and art and music and all that jazz(HaHa..I made a funny), I sure haven't been talking about it. I haven't really had the forum to, but excuses are done with. HERE IT IS!!!!
I have selected an article from my local newspaper, my locality being the lovely isle of Tobago, and I'm about to comment on said article.
This is actually an old article. From last year December. The funny thing is, I heard all the advertisements and rave reviews for fashion week Tobago. Even went to this same event on the Esplanade. I read the blogs, saw the pictures and this article makes me want to BE there and experience fashion week all over again. I perceive this article as quite informative and it really drew me in.

Will it be as good for you as it was for me? Tell me! Read the article, and post comments.
http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/Super_Sensational_Fashion__Show_at_the_Esplanade-135710608.html
I wish the article had pictures. Luckily, Facebook does. You'll have to be signed into facebook to view them, but DO enjoy.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tobago-Fashion-Weekend-2011/203781112987967

Curry, Bollywood and Saris

Namaste! I don't know if you could tell from the title of this post, but I'm talking about India. My group,सुंदर महिलाओं(pronounced sundara mahilā'ōṁ) which translated means "Beautiful ladies" ,decided to become one with the culture of India and in turn, bring OUR country of India to Trinidad.

A Sari

A Dhoti

We started with the anthem of India, Jana Gana Mana. We followed with a presentation on the way Indians communicate, their religion, their food and culture and their dress. This culture allowed to me to appreciate the Hindu religion a bit more. The way they communicate, between male and female, husband and wife or just with one another, is definitely DIFFERENT, but not strange. The respect over there is amazing. It's unique to a culture that is in itself a unique one.









I have a deeper respect for Indian's and their many attractions. From the way they dress, to the food they eat, to the places their country hold, to all the amazing attributes that India has contributed to this world. Did you know that India is the 7th largest country? It holds one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Tajh Mahal. It features food, fashion, Bollywood, dancing, music and love.





This culture was in no which way, shape and or form strange to me. I learned about the way Indians communicate. Quite honestly, I'll leave that....TO THEM because if I, Jolyne Renelle Richard, not a presenter acting as an Indian, but a Haito-Tobagonian,started bowing to everyone or couldn't stand next to my husband(if I had one), this world would go mad and so would I. But I DO respect it. Their ENTIRE culture. More than you can fathom. And who knows, if I ever catch a plane over to India, I'll be communicating just like them.

Sayonara for now(<---not Hindi)

JoReRi

Heaven on Earth...Countries in Class

Heaven on Earth? More like the whole world was brought into Trinidad. One little class in USC's English block hosted the cultures of
Columbia,

 India

 Italy

 and Barbados.

From the presentations made in class, I have learned that each culture has its various norms and beliefs and that culture has a profound impact on not only ones perception but also on how one communicates. People react and behave based on the environment they are exposed to and the practices that they have been exposed to. Several things, including food, clothes, religion and the music listened to, depicts one's culture.

Cultural Effects

How does your culture impact the way you communicate? How does it influence your verbal and non-verbal behaviours?
 My immediate family(my parents and siblings) are the only ones living in Tobago.The rest of my family either live in Haiti or have migrated to the US or Canada.The culture of Tobago blends the influences of African, Indian and English heritage. The island is predominantly English, but Creole, a form of French Patois, is used by a seldom few. My parents are from Haiti, so the French thing, it rubbed off on me. The different languages have created a great impact on how I communicate because though it is expected that since the majority of people in Tobago speak English, members of my family speak French, and so a suitable language must be selected in order to communicate with the people of whichever culture.
 For example, when our family comes together and there is communication between my grandfather, or aunts and uncles, though they speak English, French is used more(though I don't understand) since this is what they would understand and speak more fluently.
In Tobago, a high level of democracy is practised and so everyone has the right to express themselves and share their views as a form of communication. Due to my bi-cultural upbringing, when communicating, there is a big difference as to how I refer to my peers and friends and how I relate to those older than me and in authority. Although laughter and jokes may be shared with people in and or outside of my age range, people of authority are to be referred to with respect and that also pertains to body gestures and body language. With respect comes proper posture, eye contact and calm tome of voice when communicating with people in authority and people older than me.

Papermache or paper news?

Newspaper! We DO know what that is right? It's this kind of weird paper that people in the olden days used to get their information from. The internet, I-pads or plain old televisions weren't created then? I'm kidding ..okay??I know what a newspaper is. In the Caribbean, that's how you get your news. I read an article today, online (yes I'm modernized) and I wanted to comment on it, share my perception of the article itself and share the perception that was formed as a result of reading this article. 

YOU can read the article  and you can share your comment and perceptions too.

       Child incest: The effects of molestation can last a lifetime. This has to be one of the most nagging (for want of a better word) articles I've read. You see, I actually have a friend, a very good friend of mine who has been in such a situation. You know how they say there's an exception to every rule? My friend isn't it. Normally, stereotypes bother me to scorn but here, it's amazing to see how true it is! This article literally grabbed my eyes out of my head, and once I started reading, I couldn't stop. Then I had to read it again, and again just to make sure that what I'd read was really so. The truthfulness and similarity of it all still intrigues me and leaves me in disbelief.

Incest is a profound form of child abuse, and one of the most devastating effects of child incest comes from the confusing constellation of feelings it creates.

I perceive this article to be thought-provoking. It’s going to make me analyze the people I come in contact with and wonder: “Are you from an incestuous family?” based on the way they act. I am now so much more grateful for the life I’ve had. However, it saddens me to know that some people go through this every day and hardly anything is done. This article makes me want to make a difference. I want to become an abuse-victim counselor or something of the sort after reading this. Children who have had this experience are faced with a heap of worries and it is a sad and heavy burden they must bear that they don’t even deserve. I feel to make a difference; to make a change. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “You have to be the change you want to see in the world.” I don’t know how to be that change though. This article seriously touched me, no pun intended, and has proven to be quite informative. Well done Guardian TT!

Till we meet again

Give God All Your Worries

JoReRi

The Poetry Of Perception

Perception is the process of selectively attending to information and assigning meaning to it. It involves self concept and self esteem. I'm not the type of person to really talk about myself, but I guess I'm going to have to. I have to in one paragraph state how I perceive myself. This perception paragraph is going to be a breeze. I can feel it. I'm going to end up with 3 paragraphs. So here ends my introduction and my self-perception starts in 3...2...1...BLAST OFF:

I see myself through a glass darkly. What other people 'claim' to see, I don't. Like little things, like compliments. I don't believe them to be true. I don't think I strive at anything. I think compliments are for those who are at the top of their game. And I know I'm not on top of anything. Not on top of anyone's list, game, roll and or mind. You see, I dwell on the exterior because that's what people see. But really I focus on the interior because that's the truest me. I cope well with pressure and stress. My niche being procrastination and last minute projects.  I perceive myself to be a perfectionist, wanting everything to be in place. But I'm also a pessimist knowing that I'll never finish this race...of life...FIRST. I'm strong-willed, have a great sense of humour, intelligent too but I humble myself because I know my flaws exist. Do you?

Believe it or not, that was one of the most difficult things I've had to do. 3 paragraphs where? Pshh..I struggled to get 6 sentences( I bore in mind that a paragraph consists of 10 to 15 sentences). I got to state my perception. My feelings. My way...I wanted to end with a poem, that I wrote a while back. I never forgot it though and I think it fits in with this post:
TO BE THE BEST by Jolyne Richard
The best person it's true I want to be;
I can strive and strive to the best of my ability;
But let's face it, though I'm a go-getter;
I'll keep striving and striving but there'll always be someone better;
A smart person, but not the smartest in the world;
A pretty lady, but not the most gorgeous of girls;
A lover of God, but not the greatest lover;
A kind-hearted human, but not the best to my fellow brothers;
And oddly, I'm okay with that;
The following I realize are the facts;
Though I'll never be the best, at EVERYTHING you see;
I'll do what I know I do best, that best is being ME!

Rainbows and Sunshine till we meet again
JoReRi

IMPACT on my Life!

So this isn't my testimony to share, but I will anyway. At the age of 16, my brother, that's him right there, he got Crohn's Disease(a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It usually affects the intestines, but may occur anywhere from the mouth to the end of the rectum (anus)) . It was July 2007 and we were away in the States, I'll never forget it. I was 11 years old. My brother, he was chubby before. Then that summer, when we came back to Tobago, you would swear we were characters from Jack and the Beanstalk(Joel as the beanstalk and me as the giant(I got my growth spurt then..remember?). Anyway, Crohn's disease is a recurring thing for Joel. Based on his experiences, it reoccurs based on stress level. He's in university. He's a Biology major. Imagine THAT stress.

Growing up, Joel was kind of my everything. I have another older brother and sister but he was closest in age to me although I wasn't to him. He would play dolls, play house, cheer me up whenever I was down. He was like my best friend. To this day, he is STILL one of my closest friends and someone I know I can always count on.












Joel's always been the livelihood of the family. He's funny, smart, musically inclined,kind. Deep down, and I hope he never finds this blog, I think he's my role model and still to this day he's everything I try and want to be. With the Crohn's Disease, he changed. He matured but he also became depressed. He wasn't the jovial Joel I knew. He told me that he'd had his faith tested. So did I. I often asked the question, "Why God? Why punish my best friend?" To this day, he still has flare-ups and I try to trust God but the questions are still there.

I bet you're now wondering how his experience changed me. It did so in many ways. It made me learn to appreciate him more. Appreciate life more. If you met Joel today, you'd swear nothing's wrong with him. Yeah he's 'meg' (colloquial term for "reed thin") but so what? He's lively, his faith is stronger than ever, his jokes still have the ability to make you weak, and he's still my confidant.

 Joel's experience also had a drastic effect on my personality. Now if you tell anyone that Jolyne Renelle Richard was shy and introverted, they'd just about collapse on the floor with cardiac arrest. In my childhood, I could remember myself being active in church and clubs but I was also so shy. I liked to read, stay indoors, watch television. The social life was more Joel's spectra. As mentioned before, his disease put a hindrance on his exuberant flame. So I guess that I wished to plant, where his disease left ashes.

He'd always made me happy as a child. Always made me feel as if I were important, not just his annoying baby sister. And I guess, I wanted to become him. So I became louder, and funnier and started to be more like him. Even when I came to university here, people would call me Joel 2.0(he also goes to school here). My philosophy is, maybe not in this exact way or these exact words, "BE LIKE JOEL." I mean this in the sense that, although I may not know what someone is going through, I can provide them with a joke, a laugh, a word of encouragement, because something I may have said or done could be the sunshine to their cloudy day. Joel was and is still that to me.

 It kinda sounds like I'm idolizing him, doesn't it? He has flaws, trust me, I can assure you that. He's changed my personal views. You CAN love your sibling as a friend. I have a lot to be thankful for. I have my health, my strength, my friends, my God. What more can I be wanting for?You could say Joel and I are close. I guess we are. We've talked, we've cried, we've laughed..Oh boy have we laughed! And he's been one of the main reasons why I am the Jolyne I am today. Your environment affects who you are. He's part of my environment. The little bugger. Influencing me and whatnot! His birthday's on the 26th of this month. He's going to be 21. And although he'll never see this(I pray this deeply as I CANNOT afford to enlarge his already big head), I wish a Happy Birthday in advance. *cue music and party balloons*

I'm about to hit the hay, but I'll leave with 3 quotes I've always liked and they're all by Mahatma Gandhi. That man just KNEW what he was about. I think they tie in really well with this post and well, they're pretty inspiring.

 "Be the change you want to see in the world."

"You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result."

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

Have a Good one

Till we meet again

XOXO Gossip Girl

*darn..wrong ending*

<3<3 JoReRi

Introducing One's Self

The name? Jolyne Richard
The age? 16, believe it or not.
I am a second semester freshman at the University of the Southern Caribbean and I'm pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in the field of Biology.
I'm what we classify as a tall one, 6 feet tall to be exact. Seeing as I've been this height since I was 11, I have my share of insecurities. Teenage plague right?  I'm "shabbin" or light skinned if you want the correct term. I hail from the isle of Tobago, a lovely island in the Caribbean that has been deemed the Capital of Paradise/ The 8th Wonder of the World. Through these veins run the crimson red blood of a Haitian native. You see, both of my parents are Haitian yet I cant speak a stitch of French. Life..huh? I love to laugh, have fun, make new friends, love Maths and shopping. I can play the guitar. I like to sing. And recently? I'm loving art and fashion. Hence the name of my blog. The whole idea of shoes and skirts and dresses and dressing up and accessories...equals to ECSTASY!!
I'm kinda doing this blog for a course I have this semester, Communication Skills, but I sort of like expressing my feelings this way. For now at least! We'll have to tune in for more 'deets'. On a scale of 1-10, I think as a communicator, I'm a 9. No one wants to say a 10 because "Hey!", boasting isn't cool. I've been told I'm an excellent public speaker and I do well in circumstances requiring articulation, debate and intelligence. I'm able to communicate with others pretty well but no one is perfect. The non-verbal communication I exhibit like my facial expressions, or body language, or mere silence are all forms of communication, just negatively so. I suppose as the class goes on, my Communication Skills class that is, that I'll develop into a better communicator. Perhaps I'm nowhere near a 9 and by the end of the class I may achieve this or greater. Till then, stay tuned, stay sweet, be fashionable and go with God.

Till we meet again
JoReRi