Scents

My previous post made me think of skin and beauty products I like to purchase. I enjoy lotions/creams, perfumes, and so on because of their pleasant smells. In the past, I stocked up on the products from stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond and CVS. I like to smell or sample lotions before purchasing so that I select one that would work for me - one that is not too strong or smells funny.

One of the bags I lost in New York had several lotions and creams. I recall that I was into lavender then - I purchased lavender lotion, lavender soap, and so on.

Months ago, I purchased a big jar of cocoa butter (it is documented in this blog). I always liked cocoa butter. It reminds me of chocolate. Many years ago, I used cocoa butter regularly. I stopped using it for a long while and then went back to the product.

Health Update

l feel great. My eyes are better. I try to eat healthy for a healthy body, mind and soul.

I dealt with a lot of health issues over the last few years. Some of the things I had to deal with were unpleasant. For example, I had to deal with a particular temporary "solution" due to complications during surgery. It was not as horrible as I thought it would be though (I thought it would be a horrible, smelly disaster - maybe because I was always a "clean freak"). I guess all things work for good.

I am happy that I am alive and well. I now appreciate life more. Most of my health issues are behind me.

Youth

Interesting story.

I do believe that the foundation of our future is laid during childhood. It is important to "hold the reins" to build on that foundation. You must deal with trouble when it comes.

(https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid037jwXBFTxW63W9NwF9SiVy8nW3mkZoPG8ht7Y8oPY1jsUgvijDwfFTrHh4m9QWxKal&id=100064555159421&mibextid=Nif5oz)

New Day

Good morning from Linden, Guyana!

Today I am thinking of history. I wrote Caribbean History at CXC (in high school). I enjoyed learning a little French history in French class and some art and Greek history in art class. I remember learning of the French Revolution and the guillotine.

INTERESTING TIDBIT:  I am considered a native English speaker because Guyana's official language is English (this is related to the country's history - it used to be called British Guiana). The "everyday language" in Guyana is Creolese, a broken form of English that is like a slang. In my case, I also attended a primary school that educated children of expatriates (associated with the bauxite company in Linden).

Because I grew up in Guyana, I easily communicate with the average Guyanese citizen. I understand Guyanese people from different areas such as the East Bank and East Coast.

Papers

I should be back to working on papers soon. 

Did you know that I have some publishing experience from a past Financial Auditor position?

I provided information on reports I worked on that were published by the ODCA in this previous post: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2023/12/update.html. My LinkedIn profile provides examples. Link to my LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/fahmeenamoore.

(The search box to the right of this blog/page could be used to find previous posts in this blog).

I am happy that I have this experience. I almost moved to NY to fill another position It is because of my mother that I changed my mind about that NY position. (By the way, I no longer live with my mother, but I assist when (and how) I can).

I trust in the Lord

I trust in the Lord God Almighty. I worship and praise him. "He is worthy to be praised."

Singing "The Lord reigns"...

(https://fb.watch/pS4RX-d7Go/?mibextid=Nif5oz)

Tough Jobs

My previous post made me think of jobs that are tough because they require special skills or maybe a special combination of skills to perform well. The BA (Business Analyst in the information technology area) job is such a job. BAs need business skills/knowledge, technical skills/knowledge, facilitation skills, and so on. Some BAs come from a very technical background. Some come from a business background.

In one of my BA roles/jobs, I recall there was a "steady flow" of BAs. BAs came on the project and quickly left the project. The manager found fault with most of them. I stayed on the project for quite a while. I overheard the manager say that I learn quickly.

Strengths

Good afternoon from Linden, Guyana!

One of my strengths is that I handle stress well. I am usually not panicky and flustered during high stress or emergency situations. My mother would say this too (in a previous post (https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2022/06/ikea-signature-assignment.html) I mentioned that my mother thinks I handle stress well). I fared well in New York because of my ability to handle stress well.

I think everyone needs to spend some time thinking of their strengths, including things they are good at and what they are known for (areas of competitive advantage). There are several posts in this blog on areas/topics that would work well for me. An example is this post: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2022/11/training.html.

It is not always clear what is best for a person's talents/skills - the area(s) that match their "best" talents/skills. For example, people in emergency management need to handle stress well so this is an area that could be a good fit for me. I don't have training or experience (on the job) in this area though. I needed to use the skill/talent in a different way when I participated in a foreign exchange trading exercise during the finance master's program at GWU. 

Last time I visited Guyana

I moved to the US right after completing my economics degree at the University of Guyana (UG) and lived there for over 22 years. In the US, I lived in several cities/locations and states. I lived in MD and in Gainesville FL for several years. I moved around quite a bit in MD. Years ago, I lost my bags in NY. I stayed there a while hoping that the contents of my bags will be returned to me.

This is my second "trip"/vacation to Guyana since moving to the US. Last time I was in Guyana, I was in Georgetown first and then traveled to Linden. I walked a lot - I walked along Brickdam, along Regent Street and so on. In Linden, I visited a lot of places with my mother (who looks young for her age). 

I was skinny then. This time, I am heavier. I gained weight (due to illness, less exercise, and so on). My health issues are mostly behind me.

I will be in Guyana for a while longer.

Jamoon

 My Jamoon Poem - DRAFT

I first learned of jamoon at President's College (High School)

Some of my fellow classmates picked the fruit from trees during the pastorial parent time - the time slot for building relationships with and receiving guidance from their pastoral parent

I don't remember a lot about how I got the jamoon

I was not in the group that went fruit-picking

I believe the students shared some of their jamoon with me

I enjoyed eating the fruit

Jamoon looks like a grape

The fruit's purple juice makes me think of grape also

Jamoon also reminds me of plums

Thankfully the fruit has a unique name

The name jamoon suggests an association with the moon

The ja is interesting

I paid attention to things people say and do when I was young

I recall that a certain group of people used ja a lot

Thanks for your comments

Thank you for your comments. Please keep them coming. 

I am unable to receive calls (to my number shown in the blog).

First papers I prepared for publishing in this blog

A bit of information on the first papers I enhanced/edited for publishing in an academic journal...

The first papers came from a course I was enrolled in when I was stranded in New York (the Business Environment course at NCU.edu). One of the assignments required preparation of a paper that could be published in a journal. 

The papers prepared for the course were short. To be considered for publishing in journals, I needed to lengthen some.

Jamoon

Photo of jamoon. Credit: Discover Guyana (no affiliation)

I will work on a poem on the fruit or maybe the color purple.

(Link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid05RHPdvZMyMCpfKis6g4oEhsCtkfPUGco1HM3af4CfxF3aZ4bHkBFLAA6RNhBubN9l&id=100067021672580&mibextid=Nif5oz)

Work of our hands

Psalm 90:17 ESV

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!

Ginger Beer

Good morning from Linden, Guyana! I had store-bought ginger beer yesterday (it is one of the local ICee "sweet drinks" / carbonated beverages). I recall that I had ginger beer made from scratch at Christmas-time in Guyana. Lots of families in Guyana make ginger beer from scratch. Ginger is the main ingredient in ginger beer. The beer is very different from ginger ale.

Lawsuit needed?

Based on covert feedback, I understand that some people out there are calling me "not talented enough" or a professional who knows nothing and lies about important stuff. I may need to file a lawsuit to deal with this problem. Many years ago, I filed a lawsuit that was not perfect but raised important issues. 

This blog shows some of my work PREPARED USING MY TALENTS.  I am very proud of what I was able to accomplish over my life (and hope to accomplish more).

There are some issues related to my mother.

Bible verse

1 Corinthians 13:8-13

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Do I resemble Whitney Houston (deceased February 11, 2012)?

A guy once told me I looked like Whitney Houston. 

Age

Date of earlier photo: 01/22. I took the photo in bright sunlight.

I am in my 40s - over 45. I wrote GCE O'Levels/CXC examinations (graduated from high school) in 1991. I wrote A-levels in 1993.

I am a Christian. I am not Hindu or Muslim (some other religions in Guyana). My God is THE GREAT I AM.

Eye

It is another bright and sunny day in Linden. My eyes are much better (as shown in the photo). I need a new hat - one that is better suited to the warm weather/climate.

Authentic Reports

These days one must think of issues such as false reporting and fake news when reading stuff (articles, news reports, and so on) online. I thought of these issues when reading one of A. Fenty's articles in the Stabroek News on racial differences in Guyana (the article: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2022/10/14/features/frankly-speaking/our-differences-cultural-social-political-racial/). This is because some details seemed incorrect or incomplete. I assume the Stabroek News fact-checked the article before publishing. 

A service that fact-checks reports, articles and other information would be great! This is my new business idea.

Status

It is a bright, breezy Sunday in Linden, Guyana! Linden feels really hot sometimes (maybe because of the sand) but today is not one of those days. 

A Move

I made a move
A move in life (not for a game)
It feels right
A move I really need
I am certain I will be happy

Memory

Lard is used for baking. I remember that my grandmother used lard. I believe the lard came in a big 5-gallon bucket.

A 5-gallon bucket at President's College (provided by my family) meant that I could collect "extra" water for daily activities. I wanted a bucket that was larger than the standard bucket sold in stores.

Trust in the Lord

I thank the Lord for his mercies. I trust in the Lord.

(Video in Facebook: https://fb.watch/pG8vxWVqyF/?mibextid=Nif5oz)

Walk

I went out for a short walk today during the 6am hour. It is a bright, beautiful morning in Linden.

I need some supplies. I don't know whether I'll be able to stock up this weekend.

Paper I submitted for publishing

#ThrowbackThursday

Today I remember one of my papers that addressed how professionals are used in development processes and issues that may arise on where they are placed in the process. The paper focused on marketing professionals in the product development process. I got the idea from my experience at a previous employer where I was asked to assist to improve the quality of requirements from a position/role in the Testing/Quality Assurance Group. Requirements development and testing are two phases of the software development process.

At that company, there was some confusion about my role (and the role of a few others in a similar position). I recall that I was initially assigned a task that was more suited for another role at a meeting. Someone else took the task.

Links to two previous posts on the paper:

Post: Marketing Paper,  https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2022/12/marketing-paper.html

Post: Work To Continue, https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2023/01/work-to-continue.html

Flowers

These flowers brought back memories of early childhood...

Update

It is the 6am hour in Linden, Guyanal Sometimes I walk (go out) during this time (a daily routine I started in high school). It is raining today so I will stay in.

Not so long ago, I was in the hospital and then rehab (in Maryland, USA). I had a different routine. The nurses and nurses aides helped me clean up, get breakfast, and so on. I actually cleaned up in the bed.

Cold water for hot temps

I like to freeze bottled water. It takes a while for the ice to melt before I enjoy the ice cold water. I really don't mind that the bottle gets swollen (bulges at the bottom).

Economics of IT

As I mentioned in a previous post, there is a lot of economics in my papers. There are numerous intersections between economics and IT in my papers (and ideas on the economics of IT).

I have a strong economics/business background. I was in the business stream in high school. I did economics at the O- and A-levels. Did you see my O- and A- level certificates? Search for 'certificate' in this blog to view. The grades are not shown.

I think my economics background gives me a competitive advantage (something different) in the IT world. I have technical knowledge as well as business knowledge.

Update

I spoke with a Mr. Holder from Mackenzie Hospital. He came to ask about an appointment with a specialist. I did not want my mother involved.

Update

Good morning from Linden! I am feeling much better. My eye hurts less and the swelling has gone down. I am also happy that I saw another family member from the US yesterday.

The "house" smells like mangoes. There is air freshener in the room but its scent is mild (because of the mangoes). This is interesting because the actual scent in the room does not match the expected scent (the scent expected based on the air freshener you see in the room). Imagine the confusion this might cause in a room filled with things such as pine scones or just-baked cheese rolls, but does not match the smell you know must be there.

Where I am staying

I am staying in a "condo" in Amelia's Ward. I am not staying with my Mom (in same unit). There is also someone else occupying space here.

Mangoes

A lot of mangoes for me

Two varieties - Buxton Spice and the long mango

I enjoy the spiciness of the Buxton Spice

The long mango is more bland

The shapes are interesting too

Buxton spice mangoes bulge to round

The long mango more slender and shapely

In addition to eating the "raw" mango

Caribbean people add them to curry and to spicy sour to eat with dhal puri and so on

To get the mango seed with your curry and rice is special

I also like to spread the fibers all around a mango seed so it looks like the sun

Bible verse

Darkness is associated with evil.

Isn't it interesting that eyes are associated with light?

John 12:35-37

Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

Fruits that start with M

In yesterday's post, I included information on the food I ate (mango, mamee and more - two examples provided before summarizing/generalizing the others as more or etc. I sometimes wonder whether I should include more examples - three or four. Including one other may show that I ate other types of food). Mangoes and mamee are two of my favorite fruits that happen to start with M. After the post, I could not think of other fruits that start with that letter.  I was surprised to find a long list of fruits that start with M on Google.

Linden

My sister came to Linden for a short time (from Maryland). I enjoyed good local food and quality time with her. Here is a photo of a fish burger she got me.

I do not plan to travel/return to the US during the next two weeks.

Update

It as a quiet day today. It rained and rained. I had mangoes and mamee and more. I have nothing major planned for tomorrow or the weekend.

Update

Good morning from Linden! My eye is better. I don't plan to do much today.

Update

Good morning from Linden!

I woke up to hammering and other noises today. I think there are carpenters around. Carpenters again! I recall staying an extra day in rehab because my mother said carpenters were working on her kitchen. I wanted the carpenters to complete their work.

There was a handyman painting when I moved into the room at rehab. Painting seemed like an inconvenience but everything turned out okay. It was as if the handyman was not there. He also got me the remote control for the tv.

Carpenters can be noisy and distracting, especially when you're trying to write a paper. Carpenters are good people but one must be concerned about safety. It could be a problem for a single woman to be left alone with "strange" men.

Produced at home

Interesting story. Tomato sauce produced at home...

https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/italian-food/italian-dishes/jarring-tomato-sauce-an-italian-family-tradition

Did you see my poems (draft) on things/itemsgoods produced at home in Linden?

Georgetown

I would also like to secure a position in Georgetown. A remote job is preferable.

Update

In addition to my eye appointment, I need to travel to Georgetown to:

1) Look into my prescription that must be at the Georgetown pharmacy as I requested weeks ago.
2) Ensure I do not have a balance at the hotel. (I left my email address and other information for them to contact me if needed.)
3) Verify that my funds/balance at the restaurant I got the can soda and so on was closed. I told my aunt to collect the funds but I don't believe she did.

Appointment

Short video on my appointment:

(available at: https://fb.watch/pjY_Img29q/?mibextid=Nif5oz)