Adulting

Adulthood- that highly anticipated beacon of liberty and independence;the final steps in the task of painting the canvas of your very own future; the key to igniting the flame needed to offset your visions and dreams...a.k.a that unforgiving backstabbing BI-(sorry, got a bit carried away there😫)bit of a paradox.😏

Who was it that designed this ruthless whirlwind  of varying combination of being, tired, anxious, potentially broke and  indecisive? And as if that weren't enough, it's been set on repeat!😥

Who said I knew how to save consistently and effectively? Invest? Psh. Prepare my own daily meals? Meet every deadline? Appointment?  Be a doting daughter, sister, friend, partner, doctor and friendly neighbour all at once? Who said I had to answer every call whether or not I know who or what disaster may be on the other end of the line? Who said I knew how to shop for just enough grocery and household items to last a few weeks without having to make weekly visits to the store? Who the hellllll said I could actually commit to the gym or that club?

Who sends these bills monthly? I could've sworn I JUST paid that bill last week. Whyyyyyy do most jobs start so early????? I just need a few more minutes (or hours!)of sleep😩😴😪.Why do the weekends shorten when I'm relaxing or having fun but lengthen dramatically when I'm at work? Who said I'm getting older and no longer allowed to "turn up" in the club and twerk?

What am I to do with all these receipts though? You mean there's something on them that I can actually do without? Whether or not the price changes I'm gonna still need all that toilet paper no doubt.😫 Who made me a point of reference? 😮A source of advice? I'm legit here tryna figure out what staple can replace rice. Why can't I say the first thing that comes to my head? Some days I really don't want to play nice or would rather roll over and play dead😐

Adulting-no trial run, no manual, no script. You learn each day as you live and try to live each day as (if)you've learnt. Though like a vicious cycle stuck on repeat, each day is an opportunity to fit the missing pieces of the puzzle you seek. Refer to your elders (yes, those older than you), adjusting the advice and responses to your own reality. Don't compare, never stop, continue doing your best. Only you can live the life to supply all your needs and meet your demands. It's not easy but it must be done. And who better to do it than you? You've literally been given the mandate to design YOUR life; never mind how you may have started with what you consider less than another person's resources- you are enough. With every great painter, the paintbrush fell,the easel toppled and paint splashed, but don't give up on completing your beautiful canvas, leave an indelible mark behind. Enjoy each stroke of the brush, embrace the process of overcoming each challenge and most importantly learn to relax and pamper the mind.😏🤗

As vast as it seems, you are enough😊

Just do it!

*Divided we fall,united we stand*

Smiles 😊


"Why don't you smile more?" is a question that I'm often asked and I am now asking myself and you...so yeah...why don't you?👀👀 Is it like an adornment worn only on special ocassions? Or does it have a place in your everyday life?

A smile...
Half a circle, 3/4 even, a frown turned upside down.
Dimples, fat cheeks, crooked teeth it will work its way around.
A peculiar arrangement of muscles unique to each person's own facial features but with shared common effects,
It does tend to take away an unsuspecting onlooker's breath😉

A smile...
A conjuction, punctuating your mood
But what if you're only in the mood to brood?😟
In that case, how readily does a smile really break through
In times of distress it can be the hardest thing to do!

A smile...
After a compliment or during a date,
While having a good time with someone with whom you can relate

A smile...
After acheiving or sharing in another's milestone;
A smile while conversing with the one you love on the other end of the phone❤

A smile is an opportunity to set things right and
Settle that dispute that would've otherwise escalated into a fight.
A smile,as it were, sets things into motion, speaks positive into your mood and by extension your day,
A smile to one hurting and in need might quite literally save the day

A smile sends hope to a random passerby who might be thinking nothing good is left in this dark,cold world;
A smile  encourages a fellow broken hearted girl
That she too will rise, soar above yet another hurt;
A smile to and from yourself reminds you of  your worth.🏆

How to smile more? Count your blessings; a smile spontaneously accompanies each. No matter the circumstance or mood, if you really think about it, you will always find that your reasons to smile farrrrr outweigh your reasons not to😊

        *United we stand,divided we fall*

Family Matters!

Fam is everything!I seldom need an ocassion to celebrate them. Especially with regards to my siblings-they are my first friends and often dearest.

My immediate family is of the rapidly becoming extinct nuclear type with two firm authorative figures at the forefront and seven (yes seven) kids. We are a handful. Fullhouse. Seventh heaven. Never a dull moment.

We grew up with many sometimes questionable rules and principles but all in all a few qualities remain dear to my heart and have helped me survive the toughest of times.

Motivation: We were always there for each other for every ordeal whether an exam or some new challenge. We grew up in an environment of unwavering support and that thankfully still remains.

Laughter: From both parents to my youngest sibling we have an excellent sense of humor flourished with the best use of sarcasm and wit. Nothing gets pass us. We laugh at each other, random silly things and my dad's hilarious 'growing-up-country'tales😉. You hardly wanted to share some unfortunate ordeal of your day lest it be taken for the day's (or week's) joke.

Help: We were nurtured with an unwritten mantra to help each other in the time of need. I recall precious seemingly simple deeds as my older siblings giving me extra 'pocket money' whenever I was returning to school from a break while in med school and even my bigger sis 'taking something from kingston' on her weekends back from college (while not yet employed).

Education: Being children of educators got us our fair share of the usual stereotyping that accompanies the turf. But here we are all on our way if not already educated at the tertiary level and playing our role as remarkable contributors to society. We struggled and continue to struggle to overcome the many financial barriers accompanying this effort but with God's help through hard work, family support and possibly tears we have secured for ourselves a position to continue to excel in any area of our choice.

Preacher's kids: To top it all off we were always the PK's in the group and that too got us our share of tease. But on a deeper level we are all in close contact with our spiritual selves and recognise the role of a higher Being in our lives.

Throw in good looking genes, kind hearts and a varied combination of talents, we are a formidable force with God always at the forefront and determination not far behind. We have infectious personalities that leave us being warmly welcomed and definitely hard to forget. 😋

I dont get how other families 'live bad' or even reek havoc, harm and even death against each other. We have our share of fights, aguments and disagreements but we are never far apart. We laud each other's accomplishments amd push each other ahead without bombarding each others space.

There is always someone to talk to, play with or give a helping hand. For e.g, we have a whatts app group with the name "Family Matters"(as above🙄) and one afternoon *Poochie* (name changed for privacy) was at home 'taking care of business' in the loo when she messaged saying she needed some tissue...you can probably fill in the rest! Now, if thats not a good reason to have siblings I dont know any!🤣

Though I do not want a large family of my own in the future, the benefits were never hard to find. But I do look forward to a quieter lot of my own😉 Love your family, they will sometimes end up being all that you've got. They may not be perfect but try to keep them near. Family truly matters.

*Divided we fall,united we stand*

The latest sweetest addition-1st grandchild!Driving us crazy😁

😍😍

About ME!

Hi! I feel the need to re/introduce myself. I have been MIA for some months now and I owe an apology to myself for starting something and not following through (bad habit to leave behind in 2017 might I add!) and to a few loyal persons who have supported this small venture and probably wondering about its progress. But your passionate lover of writing is back in the biz back to expressing myself through the written word.😏 I wish to always be able to share something that will somehow impact someone in some small way, keep  your interest piqued on an otherwise boring/uneventful day, get the wheels of your mind turning and thinking about something I've said and hopefully keep your fingers scrolling to the very end! Dig in!

Full name: Ro- Kaye Alethea Simmonds
(Still can't locate my dad's friend who suggested this name!)

Age: Blah. Let's just say I age well😏🙄

Profession: Medical Doctor

Favourite expression: blah (😅)/I'm hungry🙈

Favourite drink : Coconut water

Favourite ACTUAL drink : Ok fine Rum Cream😏🍺 (I don't drink much)

Ambition (yes, there's more🤓): To be one of the greatest Internists, at the very least a Danielle Steele/John Grisham- level writer and a supermom (since I'm hell-bent on having twins!)

Favourite food:  Pizza! & Ackee and saltfish with dumplings (country girl at heart🌳🌿)*swings from vine*

Pet peaves: Being called 'ma'am' , things not being in order (yet my car is always a mess🤥🙈)

Strengths: I try to take pride in everything I do, if it's not my best effort I probably wont be doing it. Not a perfectionist but I try.

Weaknesses: Umm why would I tell you that🤔 😋😋

Likes: Sunshine, the beach, reading

Dislikes : 1.Rain and thunderstorms. 2.Dishonesty

Oddities : 1. I dont take compliments well (musta had too many 🤣🙈🙊///same thing🤐see what i mean🙈
2. My 1 1/2 dimples 😁

Scary movie or happy ending?: Def the latter.But i'm flexible, I'll scream my way through the hacking and bloodshed if I have to😎

Lover or Fighter?: Both. I'll fight for love😍 (not anymore,hmph!)

Fears: Heights, drowning, scary insects

Top song on my playlist: Lemon (Rhianna & N.E.R.D)

Bad habits: 1.Being late😣🙈 2.Worrying

Bravest thing I've ever done: The Big Chop 😉 (but with no regrets!)

Silliest thing I've ever done: Fall in love 🙈⚠️♥️🤸‍♀️

Something I fantasise about: Writing a book while vacationing in a chateau somewhere in Europe



That's all for now! If you wanna know more, you know where to find me😋 Hope to meet you soon😊

*IG kayeiam_simmonds*





                 

Unbothered😋

Hello! It's  been waaaaaay too long since I've  posted anything aaaaalllll because of this darn never ending (previously) much anticipated period called ADULTING! One day I'll let you in on just what that means in my world. But, more interestingly I am also quite late in commenting on this rather 'new sounding' yet familiar word that seems to be in vogue over the past few months (or longer?)again mainly on the various social media platforms.

Unbothered;The caption for many posts/comments/tweets from usually a young person expressing their lack of concern or interest in a particular would-be stimulant. Probably replacing arcache expressions like 'whatever',it is usually particularly directed at something generally meant to incite a negative reaction or effect.

But, I can't help but wonder, are we really as unbothered as we think or claim to be?
Think about it. You had a bad day, a co-worker pissed you the hell off (daily occurrences for some of us) or some misfit said something to try to 'bring you down'. You may or may not have responded but blew off some steam and quickly dismissed it, but hours later it's your new post/tweet/caption to your 'serious face' selfie for the day. As 'unbothered' as you are, you sure took alot of energy and time into taking an angry but cute pout to show you're 'pissed but okay' and allowed that one encounter to sum up your day...Just how 'unbothered' are we by these daily life trivias?

I for one am a classic panic-button -tell-it-as-it- is but a worry bunny kinda person. I sometimes spend alot of time reminiscing, revisiting and regurgitating things. I most certainly dont respond to every single  barking dog as we all know that that gets you absolutely nowhere and is often a waste of otherwise useful energy. But, I am learning day by day how to hear and not hear and to pay less attention to the different levels of 'pettyness' I sometimes encounter. And trust me, I'm doing great! (Well most days🙄😉 lol )

At the end  of the day, (literally)
there are really few things worth thinking about and those include providing an answer to questions about what I could have done better, if my daily goals were acheived and what I learnt from the day. Not to sit and imagine how the various combinations of questionable personalities did that vs this...No. Higher heights is what I seek. To always keep elevating myself in every way possible. Personal and spiritual growth and higher intellectual and educational gains.

Strive to be truly unbothered by the many distractors along the way. You may slow down but never stop. Pause but only to breathe, count to ten and move on. Let no one get close enough or get the joy of bringing you down or 'getting you out'. Guard your world, guard you.

*United we stand divided we fall.*

Ocho Rios:The place to be but not to live??

"I live where you vacation" has become a popular phrase I've noted on the various social media platforms. It is usually said with some amount of umm pride...for want of a better word (some would say "show off").I  wish to add my own quota and twist on that and its (apparently) envied implications.

Is it really as advantageous as it sounds? It may very well be seen as such in some cases as well as it may not in others. Many are or should be familiar with the parish of St Ann and one of it's most popular towns-Ocho Rios. It represents a beautiful mosaic that provides a dynamic blend of culture, nature and a bit of a paradoxical urban-LIKE aura in the infamous 'garden parish'. The town lends itself primarily to a host of hotels and auxillary popular tourist attractions. In addition, the shores of some of it's beaches have been the venue of  many popular beach parties and events.

Yet, with all this heralded fun and fanfare, I repeatdely encounter a bit of an anti climax whenever I feel the need to kick off my shoes and relax after a long week of work. Where to go? What to do? What's the best time? Like many of my counterparts I work ridiculously long hours on any given day or week. It would be good to be able to get out of my scrubs/work garb and get comfortable or all dolled up to a location to suit my immediate mood. Disclaimer- I am no party animal. Whether it be the need for a drink or light meal or a high energy party to dance the stress away it would be convenient to have those options readily available within say less than a 5 mile radius. Living along the outskirts such as Mammee Bay or Draxhall shouldnt be that far, right? And, with the vivacious description above, finding somewhere in Ocho Rios to do any of the above shouldnt be too hard,right? Wrong.

Disclaimer-I am referring more to the available 'nightlife' activities as I have no problems with the beaches and other day time attractions. Indeed, there are a few comfortable hang out spots to have a drink or meal and chil for a few. But that's just it. TOO FEW options and it's cool for TOO short a time. I will never forget a Saturday night (like many) a few months ago during the holiday weekend of Emancipendence. I made a very brave step by leaving home at about 11 to 'touch the road' knowing very well by experience that 'country' is very disimilar to Kingston for example where,  this particular time in the night would be described as pretty 'young' and just coming alive. Luckily, when I arrived at the usually (?most) popular venue, there was a nice vibe, good music selection and  good enough turn out. In no more than an hour (hour and a half tops) later, people began leaving in scores (ok not scores but quite a lot). At this point, the tempo had just hit another notch on the energy level scale (if there was such a design). I began searching for the unseen threat or sign of impending violence that must have sparked  this seemingly prematute mass exit of people from an otherwise well entertained area. The place was almost empty within half an hour and though I asked I could find no reasonable explanation for same. BUT, to be honest, I was not that surprised. I have found this to be a recurring incident when I make an apperance in this lovely post card town to 'destress'.

Soooo....what's the reason? Where is everyone going? And why? Why do people in this area leave so early??. Lol. Funny enough there is this one er rather shady location that on quite a few ocassions I have encountered many members of the 'missing crowd' but it still doesnt fully explain the 'culture' of night life as per my albeit limited observations in Ocho Rios. The few available places are also to be blamed as the music selection is often poor and if not is not well sustained.

Can I tell you a lil' secret of this one time a girlfriend of mine from Kingston was visiting me (she wanted a change of scene)? I found this popular group on social media baring the name of the place in question and decided to attend one of the parties being promoted at a local 'club'. Flyer seemed cool and attendance list okay. Seemed legit enough. Wrong. That was the first gathering that I have ever attended where I could literally count on both hands the number of attendees. I was a bit embararrassed to say the least but we took it like troopers and even tried to make the best of it, hung around chatting and thinking we were probably just too early...but the count was the same an hour later. I still havent mustered the strength (yet)to attend another of  many similar events being promoted tho tempted. Disclaimer-no group was harmed in the afore expressed opinions☺

Sooooo what do i do? I continue "bar hopping" but mostly visit the same few places I find some level of comfort and end up spending less and less time on each ocassion and many a times catch myself secretly toying with the option of relocating to a more urbanised area with more vibrant nightlife and with wider options of entertainment at your fingertips.

So, while I live where many locals and foreigners save and plan to vacation, with the exception of the daytime and holiday attractions on an average day/night I give you no reason to be envious.

But that's just my take. But I have found this opinion to be shared by quite a few persons with whom I interact. I am not new per se to the area but most of my adoloscent/young adult life was spent behind the bars of my books but when work related reasons had me relocating closer to this popular town and when slapped with a bit too much of 'adulting' I am forced to find intriguing outlets within my vicinity. Cheers to my weekends outside the area-they are definitely more fun. Cheers too to the beautiful beaches and resorts-I woundnt trade them for the world. But cheers and warm welcome to the paradox of Ocho Rios- where I (barely)live and you (save to) vacation.

  Ocho Rios Jerk Centre- Actually had fun that night tho every one sat staring😃😂😁😀

FYI- Another branch of stellar athlete Usain Bolt's Tracks &;Records was recently opened in....guess where....Ocho Rios! A new place to explore...I have had the privilege of dining at the one in Kingston thus I am looking forward to sharing the experience here...in my backyard...where I live...so please add it to your itinery when you come to vacation☺😋😎

Happy Place!

There's simply nothing as beautiful, therapeutic and relaxing as the beach; at least, that's my opinion. It may or may not be factual but it's what i believe wholeheartedly.

It's my comfort zone. My happy place. My me place. Whether it's alone or with friends or relatives the reverence still stands;I simply choose to share it at times (so if I ever invite you to the beach do consider yourself spesh (special).:) lolz.

It calms me, soothes my sore muscles after many a long tiresome stressful hair-pulling day. It somehow reminds me that there is new hope and strength to face another day. I can't pinpoint just what does the ultimate trick but I'll highlight a few contributors.

• The scenery- The fundamental design or definition is enough to make me melt. Water meets sand. A beautiful and serene interface. Smooth (usually) soft, silky sand. It may feel a bit eeewy when it's moist and stuck between your toes but I love it just the same!
• The ocean- so wide and limitless, it reminds me just how minuscule the problems that seem so gigantic on land really are. Who created this everlasting body of water? There has to be a supreme being, an entity whose power and capacitiy must surely surpass the weight of problems I carry around.
• The wind- Even on the hottest of summer days, there is usually a listless move of air enough to caress my skin and dry the cloak of salt-rich water droplets after a quick dip. (N.b for the life of me I cannot swim...what I really do in the water is another kettle or school of fish :D)
• Sun- I HAVE to go to the beach when the sun is out. A perfect day at the beach is incomplete without bright sunshine beaming through wispy cumulus clouds against a warm blue backdrop. Those who know me know that I love sunshine, for want of a better explanation, I thrive on solar energy and this peaceful energy completes the package of my Happy Place.

Throw in some some good food, quaint rocks or coconut trees and then you'll have to drag me on the floor when it's time to leave:)

 That being said, do you have a happy place? I think everyone should, even if it's not physical...it could be a place, thought or memory in your head. A 'man cave'  (or 'woman cave) of some sort. Your very own get away from the sometimes crazy run-away train of life when things are moving are moving a tad bit or waaaay too quickly for your liking or not in accordance with that which you deem ideal.You run there or crawl there when on your last breath or when hanging on your last thread of that tightly wound rope of inner strength. I don't wish for your rope to snap or for you to fall arms flailing and legs sprawled at unreal angles, i'm only suggesting there is an option. 

People often say 'hang tight'...that is sound advice but, in the event that your hands burn from callus formation on your hardworking palms that have been holding on so very long, here's another option. A Happy Place. Gently lower yourself. Don't jump! Or at least not without clearly identifying just where you are going to fall. Create an escape cushion to cushion the many falls of life; (not everyone has enough gluteal muscles to soften same :D lolz). 

                     A happy place. Your very own cloud 9. I sure know I've found mine!

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