Island Soul City Dreams

I reflect. I analyze. I speak my mind. ~ I Keep it Irie ~

Archive for the tag “Caribbean”

12 May 2012

Why I Call Mine, ‘Bajan Brown Sugar’

My mom and me at the airport in Barbados before my return to the U.S.A.

The one thing I am most proud of is my Bajan Brown Sugar. If yours is as sweet as mine, you would boast about it too. Even as a little girl, I knew I was blessed with something special and over the years, many men and even women have lauded me on this priceless asset. Their actions alone indicate how they feel, but they further reassure me with words like “what you have is a true treasure.” It’s amazing the things they all do for me – just because of my “Bajan Brown Sugar.”

I have heard many people; especially men call theirs all kinds of names. After all, that’s their prized possession.

How I Learned To Keep It Tight

The first time I can recall doing it, I was 17 years old. In the beginning, it was because that was my job. Three days a week, after spending considerable time “dolling up” myself in the bathroom, I would leave school early and hurry through Bridgetown, to that special room to participate in the activity. A veteran in the industry had handpicked me. He was tall, authoritative, a big man with big hands and the most soothing voice that compelled any woman to heed to his every command. He made it seem like an art as he got down to business. I thought to myself, “There’s no way I could handle this, I am too young, too inexperienced.” But I was also keen to learn and to become good, even great at it. Read more…

Posted in Roots & Culture, Tropical G-Spot and tagged 78 RPM, Bajan, Barbados, Barbados Rediffusion, Barbados Rediffusion Services Limited, Caribbean, I Keep it Irie, keep it tight, Keeping it tight, Maquita Peters, music library, Starcom Network, vinyl LP records. radio library, West Indian

30 Jan 2012

The Anniversary of My 25th Birthday – The Sequel

Ever since I turned 25 (about a decade or so ago), I have been in denial about aging. For sure, I am grateful for life and every year as January turns, I get excited about not just new beginnings, or the uncertainties that lie ahead, but about the celebration of my birthday at month-end. My birthday is made all the more special because I share it with my younger sister, Sancia. No other birthday gift has been able to surpass that beautiful bundle of joy my mom brought into my life the day I turned four. That was a long time ago. Still, because I don’t feel a day over 25, I started calling my annual birthday celebration, “The Anniversary of My 25th Birthday.” This year, I added to that “The Sequel.” But having recently watched an episode of The Dr. OZ Show where he said that it doesn’t matter how old a woman feels, her eggs are still getting older, I got into a slight state of panic. Here I am 10 years (or so) after my 25th birthday and I am still unmarried, still childless and still having a hard time accepting that I’m getting old. Read more…