The Spirit of Notting Hill Carnival ( U.K) 2006

The Highlights of NHC 2006

The Costumes at NHC 2006

The Food at Notting Hill Carnival 2006

Jamaicans at Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival Part 2

Notting Hill Carnival Part 1

JAMAICANS IN LONDON - Part 2

Still I Rise

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air,

I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.

Maya Angelou

I love Maya Angelou so much!

I hope one day I will be blessed to sit with one of the

"GREAT WOMEN OF THE 21ST CENTURY"

JAMAICA'S INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION -(LONDON)

At approximately 10 minutes to mid night last night, ( 4.8.06) while reading the online version of the Jamaica Observer, I discovered that there would be a service of praise and thanksgiving in celebration of the 44th Anniversary of Jamaica's independence.

I decided that I could not miss this event, as it was an opprtunity to worship and meet and mingle with my people.

So being the punctual person I usually am and wanting to get a spectacular view to take some awesome pictures, I arrived at approximately 10 am. (The service was scheduled to start at 11 am.)

When I arrived at Trafalgar Square and looked across to St Martin-in-the Fields, I saw a number of persons standing on the steps. I didn't let that bother me. I thought " good, the organisers are there to make sure everything goes smoothly".

I approached the church. Chit chatted a little with a few collegues who were ushers and then went in.....

Lo and behold ...the church was full! There were no seats downstairs! There were only "reserved" seats. I looked at my watch....it was only 10:15 am!!!

And yet they criticise us and talk about "Jamaica time".

Well friends, I had to go upstairs and let me tell you something, if it weren't for The kindness of an old man and his grand-daughter ( bless them) I wouldn't be able to get a glimpse.

Well since I don't yet own a fancy camera with great zoom lens...once again this is the best I could do.

I do have some recordings of parts of the speechs and performances if you care to see, send me an email.

P.S. I won't do the commentary thing of the day's proceedings...I'm sure JIS will do that!

TAKE CARE

JAMAICANS IN LONDON - Part 1

Jamaicans.com Interview

I was recently interviewed by Xavier Murphy of www.jamaicans.com

BELOW IS A SYNOPSIS AND LINK:

An interview with Jamaican Attorney-at-Law Deidre S. Powell.
She is also the Founder and CEO of the innovative http://www.pcamonline.com ,
the Caribbean’s first legal research website.
http://www.jamaicans.com/articles/primeinterviews/pcamonlineinterview.shtml