Okay.....the show starts in less than 4 hours. Yup, I'm nervous...yet excited.
Gotta keep my mind on Cyd Charisse...my dancing role model. She was smoothness cyan dun. She woulda dun up dis show.

Things to remember:

1.) Keep my eyes up off the floor
2.) Flirt like crazy with Shane for the rumba
3.) Flirt like crazy with the audience for the jive
4.) Put the lollipop down my bra and not just down my shirt (otherwise it'll fall out with all the bouncing around)
5.) Have fun.

Bettina got kicked again last night. I may need one-those "nipple-shields" recently made famous by a certain popstar.

We trained with this supposed "dance coach" who's experience in ballroom is highly questionable (if existant at all!).
I don't think I've ever met a man more full of crap!

Asking Shane & I what we bring to the dance that is "Bajan" (Latin is not and will never BE Bajan)!
Makin' us do all kinds of crazy warm-up exercises like patting our heads, and scratching ourselves!
Pulling our rumba to pieces when we REALLY need to focus on our jive!

Telling us we need to connect, we must have a connection, we must connect with each other, there must be a connection between us, he needs to see our connection, blah-blah-blah CONNECT, blah-blah-blah CONNECT....

I dunno...maybe we just need some velcro to help with this frikkin' "connection"! (Schuupes, why can't I ever come up with these retorts when I'm on the spot?)

Plus, he's got bad breath. Maybe that's due to some food debris stuck in that charming "dollar sign" gold cap adorning his right upper incisor. Ugh.

Warning: The contents of today's blog may come across as somewhat shallow.

I don’t believe this. I finally get my hands on my much-sought-after conditioner, and I use it, only to find that it just doesn’t work like how it used to!
Those bastards at the L’Oreal laboratories must’ve changed the formula on me! Great. NOW what am I gonna do?

C.O.T.
Dad taped my guest appearance on Mornin' Barbados this morning, and I must say, I look quite retarded on camera.
One word: Ew.

It's Friday afternoon, and instead of being engulfed in that delicious Weekend energy, I'm pensive and irritable.

How can that boy be so apathetic about our practice sessions? It's only 7 more frikkin' days 'til this @#$&% performance, and he's still being so frustratingly picky about what steps we use in our routine! I could understand his point if we had 2 months, but we only have 7 days!!
He's never seen me in bitch mode, and Lord knows I've been patient with him, but if he keeps this up, I AM GOING TO BLOODY LOSE IT!

I can just feel the frustration and anxiety bubbling inside me like hot, green bile.

I feel like grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him until his teeth rattle! Until realization flickers into his eyes! Until some sort of reasoning is jolted into his rebellious, teenaged mind!

Aaaaaaaaaargh!!!!

I got to be a guest on Chat Room this morning.
I was nervous before I went on, but after I sat in those big ol' comfy chairs, it was a piece-a cake!
Maybe I should consider a career in televised media!


C.O.T.
My partner kicked me in the boob last night, at dance practice. He apologised profusely, but that doesn't change a thing...I'm STILL gonna get him back tonight. I MUST avenge the pain inflicted on poor Bettina.
Thank heavens Ichiko wasn't harmed.

Gotta look after my "girls" y'know.

Okay, so I finally found my L'Oreal NutriMoisture conditioner.
*big ol' sigh of relief*
This'll play a big part in my effort to grow my hair out.

C.O.T.
I recently bought myself a new bra in an unusual colour....seafoam green!
When it comes to the "boulder-holders" I'm an all-black kinda girl, so this is a definate change for me! I'm workin' my way up to fire-engine red!
I tellya, pretty undies really give you a mood boost!

C.O.T.

He misses me! Unbelievable! Knowing that the one you miss, misses you back, is absolutely stupendous!

When I go to ballroom practice, I make sure that I leave all my issues, and my funky moods at the door, 1.)out of regard for my partner, and 2.)because I came to enjoy myself while learning the routines.

Is it so unreasonable to expect my partner to do the same for me? We’re s’posed to feed off each other’s energy, but if all I’m getting’ from him is sulky, teenaged attitude, how am I s’posed to be able to focus? People need to realize that their own attitude will have an effect, however slight, on those around them.
No man is an island, dammit. He needs to get his friggin’ act together. If he doesn’t enjoy this, why the hell is he here?

C.O.T.
I desperately need to source some L’Oreal Nutri Vive Revitalizing Conditioner. Every place I check seems to be out of stock. Anyone who can provide info onb this product, will be rewarded with some chocolate chip cookies

My condolences to Lani on her loss. You'll be re-united on the Other Side.

C.O.T.
Yesterday was a most excellent Errol Barrow Day! All I did was eat cereal and watch t.v. for the entire time! Yee-ha, it was bashment! Oh wait, I DID go to ballroom practice the night, so it wasn't a complete success in "couch-potativity".

C.O.T.
Tuesday night, I snapped outa my "I-miss-that-beautiful-man" funk and I went to the BoomTribe fete. Sometimes I even amaze myself at how short-lived my bouts of melancholy are.
I'll never understand why people come out of their homes to go to a party and then stand up with a drink in their hand, and complain about how bored they are!

It's a P A R T Y! Everybody knows what goes on at a party, right? You dance, you socialise, maybe have a couple drinks, and you enjoy yourself! The party-throwers can only provide the location, the music, and the beverages...the actually partiers are responsible for how much fun they get outa the experience! You can't roll into a shin-dig with your face set-up and then wait around for fun to "happen" to you! Gotta put a little effort into it man! Pretty soon, people are gonna expect to have their own waists pelted FOR them!
I can't stand to see young people acting like a buncha stiff-jointed, miserable, geriatrics.

As for me, I shook it like a salt-shaker as usual!

Today is a bad, bad day.

I wish it would rain. I hate being sad on a bright, beautiful morning.

He's leaving tomorrow...and I'm starting to feel lost already. Dear Lord, what am I gonna do NOW?

Given the circumstances, I think I'll dedicate this blog to Him.

Top Ten Reasons That I Dig His Stuff

He makes me laugh
He's friendly
He treats his Mother with naff love and respect
He's SO creative
He looks like an adorable cross between a muppet and a bunny (and somehow makes it sexy)
His perspective on life is so unique
He can tell me wha's goin' on in his head
He loves to dance
His cheerful, easy-going nature (so easy to love)
He's a good listener


Yup, He's pretty much the shiznit. Almost makes me wanna re-think my view-point on long-distance relationships. Almost. And in a moment of weakness, I almost told Him about my blog! Again, almost! Cheezonbread, dis must be love fa true! Haha!!

I went to the doctor this morning. It’s so intimidating. Every time I go, a nurse hands me a little cup with my name on it and says “Go fill this up in the bathroom.” At least I hope she’s a nurse.
I realized that nobody ever tells me what to DO with it after I “fill it up”. I always just put it on the little table tha’s right outside the washrooms. I guess whoever picks it up knows what to do with it.
And then there’s the near-endless waiting. Seems like you spend an eternity there, listening for when they call your name on the intercom. Usually I’d read a magazine to help me pass the time, but this time the magazines looked a litte lame. Instead, I let my thoughts wander….and I checked out the mother & aughter duo sitting across from me. I could tell from their accents that they were C’bbean but I couldn’t pinpoint their exact origin.
After a while, for no reason whatsoever, I started to find them rather irksome. It’s not like they were bein’ loud or annoying in any way, not even that they smelled bad (they weren’t close enough for me to tell), but somehow, I just found myself wishing they’d get up and leave!
How odd.

Why do people find it so appealing to knock back de booze until they lose all social functioning?
I mean, it’s awright to have a few drinks with your friends and get a buzz and all that, but to guzzle ‘til you behave like a mental patient, throw up, and then finally pass out??? Not only is it unhealthy, but it’s so unattractive (Heheh, do I have my priorities straight, or what?)!

I would never want people to have that image of me stuck in their heads: a blurry-eyed, staggering idiot, without the sense to know when to hold it down wid de liquor.
I can’t count the people I know who start many a conversation with “You! A night I duh SO r**hole drunk dat….” And they’re actually boasting!

Do these people realize how they’re looked upon by their peers when they’re lying outside a club next to a pool of their own vomit? With a mixture of disgust and mild amusement. How could anyone be comfortable with that?

C.O.T.

I can’t believe I felt animosity towards this girl. How could I have been so cruel and insensitive?
I have completely changed my mind; my heart goes out to Her now. She’s “alone”, far away from Her home for the first time in Her life, and She has to watch the man She cares about in the arms of another woman. I’ve been there and it stings like a bitch. He really messed up this time. Now I REALLY feel like takin’ Her out for lunch or somethin’.

I got my fix!

I got to spend a little quality time with Him...again, we weren't actually alone, but She didn't seem as demanding of His time on this round as she was before.

See? I can live with that! I'm an easy person to please (maybe even too easy)! I don't need to dominate His every waking moment....all I'm askin' for is a little attention and affection. And a little goes a long way with me!

She's not bad, just misunderstood.

I'll admit, I was a smidge too quick to narrow my eyes and regard Her with contempt, as slight as it may have been, BUT there's no mistaking it, she DOES have feelings for Him. She’d have to be made of stone if she didn’t! He’s just so frikkin’ loveable! Can’t blame the girl for that, however, she DOES need to recognize the hierarchy while she’s here in Bim.

I’m not worried though. Yeah, she gets to fly back with Him and I only have Him for a few short weeks, but this chick is definitely not a threat to me. I just gotta make my peace with this sitch and make the most of it! Who knows, I may even invite 'er to the movies or suh’in! Afterall, tourism is our business and we gotta play our part!

(Yeah Ade, that WAS the “group thing” you walked in on! ;) )

That’s it….I’m officially confused.
Last night was s’posed to be a romantic little rendez-vous for Him and me, but when I went over to pick Him up, my “plan train" came to a screeching halt when his apartment mate, who he brought here WITH Him on His vacation, chirped “So, where we goin’?”

So much for THAT idea! Long story short, my little outing turned into a group thing, and I kept a careful eye on Little Miss Ruin-Daanz’-Fun.
I dunno, her body language leads me to believe that there’s something goin’ on between the little pipsqueak and Him…or at least that it's one of her New Year's resolutions! Needless to say, neither of these two prospects sits well with me.

There’s nothing like a little jealousy to get the Part B showing! She’s probably a perfectly lovely person, but all I can think about is how short and plain she is, and how nasal her voice sounds.

Why in bloody hell, did He have to bring her down here anyhow? I must somehow devise a plan to distract her long enough for me to talk to Him and get to the bottom of this.

Ok phew, now that 2/3 of the Hot Boy crew has returned to their studies overseas (can’t wait ‘til summer when they return to distract me some more), maybe now I can concentrate on Him. Hope He’s ready to concentrate on me!

C.O.T.

Now that the new year is upon us, I find myself pondering certain questions that seem unanswerable to mere mortals…questions such as:

Why does my foot itch every time I wash dishes?
Will my brother really die if he doesn’t taste each yogurt that crosses our threshold, or is he only pretending?
When will I get the nerve to wear my fabulous fake eyelashes out in public?
Will Marcus ever blog again?
How do suicidal moths know when you’ve just poured a glass of milk or opened a tub of margarine?

The answers my friend, are blowin’ in the wind.

C.O.T.

My Grandad’s in the hospital. On the outside he looks bright and high-spirited, but who knows what’s goin’ on within those walls of flesh. We gotta wait for the tests. The doctor, assigned to him, is a young, earthy guy, with a warm bedside manner and an attractive haircut. Guess who’s developed a mild crush on ‘im. I am such a little girl sometimes.

I can't believe I forgot to post my New Year's resolutions! I must be lapsing. Right, so here I go:

1.)I resolve to at least ATTEMPT to refrain from being too judgemental. There's so much negativity in the world, and I don't want to be one of the contributors. I don't want to be one who is so quick to condemn others who have a different perspective.

2.) I resolve to at least ATTEMPT to stop aquaintances from becoming strangers again. You know how it goes...one week you see someone in the street and you stop to talk, the next week, you just nod your hellos, and the next you walk past each other with no acknowledgement whatsoever! I think it's absolutely tragic when this happens, so by golly, I'm gonna take a stand on this!

This means I have work to do. One of my former best friends has become just an acquaintance to me and whenever I think about it, I feel a twinge in my heart. We've grown apart and it hurts. Well, now I'm bound by my resolution to try to regain contact with this lost sister. I'm going to email her right now.
Maybe I"ll let y'all know how it turns out.

Partied at Xtreme last night with some groovy Russian peops. They had a surprising grasp on the whole rhythm and dancing thing! They represented and I was impressed!
It was like sardines in a can and WAY too crowded for the Iyah, but to de Ruskies the club seemed fairly empty! Well I never!

C.O.T.

What is it about me that screams "Outside Woman"??? What do I have to do to be "Mujer Numero Uno" in someone's eyes?? Do I need to bitchify myself? Shall I cuss and hit the men? Is that what they like? I don't want to have to drug or liquor them up, but tha's lookin' like what I'll have to do!

I must say, if the rest of the year is anything like the first day, then good grief, I better hang on to my heinie cuz it’ll be over in a flash (the year, not my heinie)!

I woke up around 3:15 pm. Headed to the beach around 4:15 with the Lanster. Hooked up with our favourite Hot Boys of the week. Big up to de original “Toodles” Crew!
Hung out with them for pretty much the rest of the night.

But I must mention the highlight of the day…which leads me to a…

C.O.T.
Right, so when I first saw Him there was a combination of my two main Greeting Options:
I started off walking, then broke into a kind of skippy jog, and nearly knocked him over in my excitement, all the while squealing “Omigosh! Hiiiiiiiiiiii!” I didn’t quite have the guts to layeth the smoocheth down in broad daylight in de middle of Accra though, so I just kissed ‘im on the cheek.
Oh man, this is gonna be epic.

Aaaaaaargh!
I don't believe this!
T- 1 hr and 30 minutes to party time, and I'm having extreme HAIR issues!!
I really should known this was gonna happen. I tried out this new steam hair presser tonight, thinkin' I'd be rockin' a straight 'do, but surprise, surprise, this kinda thing (which looks like some kinda medeival torture device) DOES NOT WORK ON NATURAL BLACK-PEOPLE HAIR!

Schuupes, so now my hair looks all frazzled and it's too late to really fix it, so I'm gonna have to pull it back in one! Dammit! This kinda thing can really offset a girl's night!

Anyhow, I guess I'll try to rise above and beyond this minor setback, and focus on the bigger issue here: It's the end of 2003!!!! AAAAAAAAAGH!!!! AAAAAAAAAGH!!
AAAAAAAAGH!!!!




Happy New Year, everybody.

About 10 years ago, one of the little-boys-next-door, who had a crush on me moved away to the States.

Tonight, I heard a knock on the door, I answered it, and who should I see standing before me, but the previously skinny and eye-level-to-a-belly-button, little pipsqueak, now transformed into a handsome, 6'1" 17 yr. old!
I really wished I took a lil' time out to fix my hair before I went to the door.

Cha....he really grew into those big buck-teeth of his.

Lord save me from these young boys!

(I know, I know, I need help, right Spidude?)