Plain Language Exercises

 Practicing my plain language:

Oliver is employed at a nonprofit organization that is all about reducing (or works to reduce) waste from bodies of water, such as the lake, in the state where its headquarters is located.

The executives received a warning because they had recently changed a key environmental policy with the goal of reducing environmental waste, and that change was followed by the lead engineer reporting a potential environmental hazard to the facility manager.

Exercises by the Center for Plain Language. Page for Center for Plain Language in Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/plain_language

Bible Verse

 Voice from heaven...

Hat Competition

 Good morning from Linden, Guyana! Happy Good Friday!

I was impressed by an Easter hat competition held at a Government of Guyana Agency recently. The hat competition is such a good idea. I recall that a lot of Guyanese women like hats, especially straw hats. My grandmother always wore a hat to church. I have seen beautiful hats on the heads of women in Guyana.

I wore hats when I was growing up in Guyana. I remember that I owned a straw hat that shaded my face from the sun very well. I wore that straw hat just about every day during one (August holiday) vacation in Georgetown. When I was a student at the University of Guyana, I wore a jean hat with a jean flower at the front from time to time.

Results Rescinded

 What a surprise that results of a writing competition were rescinded. I couldn't believe it so I wanted to save the announcement.

Memory of Random Things

 Yesterday I remembered the name of a fruit I heard in passing many, many years ago but had never tried or tasted. The fact that I recalled the fruit was weird. It was like my brain was working overtime. It made me think of another incident where I wasn't sure how I recalled or connected some information. I wrote about the incident in a LinkedIn article - I wrote that I tried to obtain bus updates while waiting at a bus stop. From the signs at the bus stop, I knew that text messages should be sent to a particular number to receive updates on the college (University of Maryland) bus that stopped at the bus stop. The signs did not provide the text message address for the bus I was waiting for (the F4), but somehow I knew that the same number could be used. I thought I heard about it at a previous time.

Sometimes it is weird like this in my life.

I published the article on LinkedIn in 2015. It has photos of the bus stop signs. Link to the article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/bus-updates-via-text-messagesms-fahmeenaodetta-moore/

Breakfast; Easter; Starbucks

Good morning from Amelia's Ward, Linden, Guyana! It is a good morning. I am having coffee and cross buns (thanks to a friend of my sister who must have made lots and lots of cross buns for her family). I wanted cross buns and a kite for Easter. I have the cross buns. I hope I get the kite soon. I heard that kites will be sold nearby. I am enjoying the coffee although I prefer tea (because of less caffeine, and so on). I made Starbucks instant coffee. I did not purchase the Starbucks instant coffee from a store in Guyana. It came from the U.S.

It has been a while since I purchased something I like from a Starbucks store. I shopped at Starbucks quite often. I remember when I purchased a grilled cheese sandwich and a frappuccino from Starbucks New Carrollton the day I planned to go see Wakanda Forever (see pictures here: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2022/11/out-and-about-nov12.html). I planned to see the movie at the Regal Cinemas over 5 miles away in Bowie, Maryland. I did not get to see the movie. I know a Starbucks store opened in Guyana nearly a year ago. Maybe I'll be able to visit the store sometime when I'm close to Amazonia Mall on the East Bank.

Custard Apples

 I thought of custard apples today, which was very surprising because I never had the fruit (I don't believe I tried or tasted it in the past). I believe I heard about the apple a long, long time ago. I found some interesting information on the fruit on Google. Three things I wanted to highlight: the peeled fruit (the inside) made me think of the soursop, the fruit is native to South America and the Caribbean, and it is high in potassium.

(Link: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cherimoya)

A peek at building examples in Guyana

 A recent post by Visit Guyana showed examples of modern office buildings in Guyana that I associate with downtown areas:

(Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Y7zt6EzGJxtDQ4Dv/?mibextid=Nif5oz)

I am not affiliated with the Visit Guyana page.

Downtown Areas

 I stumbled upon an interesting article on developing downtowns. Here it is: https://www.bdcnetwork.com/investing-downtowns-pays-cities-regions?page=3

More economic/business activity should lead to more demand for office and manufacturing space, which should lead to more investment in downtown areas. In Guyana, Georgetown has the largest and most established downtown area (which makes sense as it is the capital). The downtown area is expected to grow as economic/business activity increases. Linden's downtown area is, of course, not as established/developed. Linden is a small town that depended on bauxite as its main source of income. The bauxite company's office buildings and other facilities were probably the downtown area.

I was in Linden's main downtown area (sometimes referred to as "down-the-road" from Amelia's Ward) a few times recently.

Feedback

 Good morning from Linden, Guyana!

I like to receive feedback. Thank you for liking yesterday's post Technology Affects Jobs (some of the likes shown below). It reminded me of my paper on the effects of electronic monitoring for hand hygiene compliance (available here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378547801_Are_Technology_Solutions_For_Hand_Hygiene_Compliance_A_Better_Option_For_Improving_Compliance_Rates).

I continue to ask for feedback - general or specific (I have been asking for feedback for a while - see this post: fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2024/02/information.html). What topics do you enjoy more than others or do you prefer longer posts?

Currently, I post on topics I like or feel like discussing.

Maryland

He is doing a good job bringing/connecting people together to wish Maryland well.

Technology Affects Jobs

 Response to the WordPress prompt for 3/26/2024:

Technology has affected people's jobs in a myriad of ways. I found some posts in Twitter/X that provide examples. Some jobs are enhanced by technology, some lose jobs because of technology, employees are more productive because of technology (electronic monitoring), and so on.

Yesterday

 Yesterday I went out for breakfast with my mother. The neighbors threw some powder on her hand to involve her in the Phagwah "activities" on the street. She was lucky it wasn't a bucket of water thrown on her because there was a lot of that. It was a happy time on our street (for those who participated in Phagwah).

My mother met an old friend while we were dining. There were both so very happy to see each other and had a good 'gyaff.' My mother wanted to go for a drive after that.

As I write this, I am noticing that I am using 'happy' a lot.  This could be because of yesterday's post. By the way, yesterday's post made me think of my work on the Lessons Project - 7ps, calendar, and so on. That project focused more on achievement and success.

Happiness Day

 I learned from a Facebook post that it is International Happiness Day! My thoughts on things that bring about happiness:

Happiness makes me think of things that

Bring a smile to my face or bring laughter or are associated with comfort.

Sometimes you feel getting everything you want will bring happiness

But I am old enough to know it is complicated.

Update; Recent foods

 Good morning from Linden, Guyana! I went out for a very short walk today. I don't believe it is Monday morning already. The weekend went by in a flash.

My mother made "some nice macaroni stew" on Sunday. I enjoyed it. I also had some callaloo recently. That was good too. Recently, my mother has been making different dishes and sharing with others. She reminds me of my grandmother. My grandmother made really good macaroni stew. Casareep fish was one of her specialties. The neighbors seem to share things with each other.

Bible Verse

 From the Bible, another way to be counted as or considered blessed...

Phagwah-time

 It is Phagwah-time in Guyana! I recall that when I was a child, some people celebrated Phagwah by throwing water to soak others. 

(More on Phagwah at: https://exploreguyana.org/event/phagwah/ - I am not affiliated with the website. The colors in the pictures remind me of spring in the U.S.)

Situp Saturday

 It is #SitupSaturday. Pay attention to how very dirty cars could be cleaned up by an expert. Watch the latest video by the Detail Geek: https://youtu.be/HPMuqiM2cpM?si=tYf2gL-hyAQEgLam

Doubles Day

INTERESTING TIDBIT on a #FlashbackFriday:

Today is a doubles day - It is the 22nd! You may recall that my names all have doubles (Fahmeena Odetta Moore) and many years ago, I purchased a condo with an address full of doubles (Double 45 Running Deer Way, #334).

In the event you want to read more, here is a previous post that mentioned the condo: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2022/06/luck-and-chance.html

Comfort

 Isn't it interesting that comfort isn't specifically mentioned in the quote below? I believe it is mentioned in a different way. By the way, the quote is essentially a poem.

Memories

 From Facebook (it came up at random):

World Poetry Day

 I learned a few minutes ago that it is World Poetry Day. The United Nations post I looked at (below) encouraged readers to share a poem that provided comfort in difficult times. I will say that:

People, things, places could provide comfort when needed

Comfort can come from surprising places.

Update

 It is hot in Linden. There is a nice breeze today which makes it feel not-so-hot. I am lucky that I am indoors and coo!.

Tea

 Also made some magical green tea (from the matcha green tea teabags).

Sugar Levels

 Incidentally, WebMD posted on low and high blood sugar levels today on Twitter/X. I had higher-than-normal blood glucose levels (pre-diabetes) in the past. Not anymore.

Drink

 I just finished making some drink. My drink for the day... (I feel like drinking more than water)

Sugar

I like the 1kg package (small bag) of sugar from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco). I remember those days from my childhood when my parents bought a big bag (25-pound bag I believe) of sugar, a big bag of flour, and a big bag of rice for the family. If I remember correctly, those purchases were to last an entire month. The 1kg bag of sugar is from the supermarket. I like the name too - Demerara Gold.

Update

 Good morning from Amelia's Ward, Linden, Guyana. I was dealing with an issue yesterday - not a major issue, it was household-related. I am doing well. I am thinking of ways/places to obtain a kite. There is another death in the family. It is my cousin's father who was married to my aunt.

Kite

 I thought about the kite I want to get. I would like to get a standard Guyanese kite dressed up with ears and other accessories in earth tones. The ears should be made with paper with horizontal blocks of color (similar to the color example shown below, which is from my 'The Right Color' board in Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/fahmeenaodetta/the-right-color/). I need a special kite.

A standard, star point Guyanese kite (picture from a Visit Guyana post):

Easter

 It is almost Easter and I am looking foward to eating cross buns and getting a kite! The day for kite flying will be very soon - Easter Monday will be on April 1st (and Good Friday three days prior on March 29th). 

In case you're wondering, both Good Friday and Easter Monday fall in April most times. This year, Good Friday is near the end of March. When I looked up Easter dates in previous years, I was not surprised to see that Good Friday and hence Easter Monday were in April during the last five years (2019-2023). See the attached table (Credit: Calendarpedia).

I would like to get a large and very colorful kite. The believe I was 11 or 12 years old when I had a kite last. I went out kite flying all day here in Linden. When I was here five years ago, I returned to the U.S. just prior to Easter. I guess I missed the kite flying then.

I should be here for Easter and several weeks after.

Feeling Good; Rehab 1yr anniversary

 It is a good afternoon in Linden Guyana! I am not doing much and I am feeling good. My right eye feels a little funny but I feel good overall.

I am very thankful for God's mercies. About a year ago, I was staying at a rehab center working to get rid of issues with my legs/walking. It was like I was in a dorm again. I exercised the legs and practiced walking every day until I was better. Rehab was good overall and very successful! After rehab, I was able to use my legs again. Rehab issued a wheelchair in case I needed one. (Read my past posts that mention rehab here: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/search?q=rehab).

I have been in Guyana for several months. I recall the trip to Guyana from the U.S. There was a lot of walking at the airports. I recall that at JFK Airport I walked for about 3-4 minutes at a time. After 3-4 minutes, I needed to rest. I was also breathless. The exercise was good. I needed a wheelchair only when I got to Cheddi Jagan International Airport. It has been several months and I am now so much better/stronger! Now, my legs are pretty much normal. I do not need to use a wheelchair.

I recall that I was on oxygen when I started rehab (for lung issues). I was off the oxygen when I left. 2023 was one of my very tough years!

An Academic Career

 Good morning from Linden, Guyana!

There are more and more stories of people leaving academia (an example is below - from the public LinkedIn profile of A. Ruba, PhD). It makes you want to look into people's motivations as well as issues. I think it means that anyone planning to enter academia needs to really want that career and know that it is best for them. They need to understand that they can be successful in the career even though others have had problems. 

This reminds me of the motivation design card I prepared when I was at Northcentral U (now National University). I was motivated by successful professors and academic jobs I wanted to fill. There are a lot of successful professors to look up to! Link to the design card: https://fahmeenaodetta.blogspot.com/2022/09/renowned-usability-expert.html.

Writing Competitions

 There is now more information on writing competitions. There are short story competitions, novel competitions, poetry competitions, and so on. There seems to be a lot more competitions! (See examples below - the Bridport Prize is one example.) I bet the very talented will enter/participate so there will be stiff competition.

Note that I am not affiliated with the bridportprize.org or other competitions.

Going Out

 Good morning from Amelia's Ward, Linden, Guyana! It rained very early in the morning so it is much cooler.

I am heading out. All signs indicate that it would be a busy day. I hope to get fruits.

Here is a travel video I found: $10 challenge in Guyana. The guy in the video tries to spend a total of US$10 on interesting things in the country. He is not very familiar with Guyana. https://youtu.be/rmxGQDZ-Vdw?si=PhKH4pGYqC05SJ9F

I am certain you can relate to the video. We all have dollar limits in mind when we go shopping. 

More Feedback

 Good afternoon from Linden, Guyana!

Thank you family and friends for your recent feedback. I appreciate the likes and comments on posts (an example shown below). I am elated that you could tell I am feeling better and adjusting well. A few people reported some small/slight issues. It is good to know how you feel. 

I really do believe my diet and exercise is contributing a whole lot. I had a lot of fruit.

I will continue to work on poems and other work over the coming weeks. I may not show the poems in the blog. I also have to make a vision appointment.

Update - 03/12/2024

 Today was a full day. I was out again. I spent some time with my father who is leaving for the U.S. soon. My mom was there too. I also found the time to submit a request to the Maryland Department of Health as well as PG County authorities. I really did accomplish more than I thought I would over the last few days.

The heat continues in Linden, Guyana. It is hot, hot, hot! (Reminds me of the song - "I feelin' hot, hot, hot").

Path to Self-Publishing

 I am seeing more information on self-publishing. It appears that some do really well with self publishing. Is this the best option for me? Some resources to evaluate:

- How to Self-Publish a Book: The Complete Guide to Publish Like a Pro, https://www.ingramspark.com/how-to-self-publish-a-book

- How to Publish a Book for Free: The Seven Best Sites, https://blog.reedsy.com/how-to-publish-a-book-for-free/

- Don't Self Publish A Book Before Answering These Crucial Questions, https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/05/17/dont-self-publish-a-book-before-answering-these-crucial-questions/?sh=49c8502b237f

- 24 things I learned self publishing 3 books in only 6 months, https://writingcooperative.com/24-things-i-learned-publishing-3-books-in-only-6-months-1b8f743e9e86

- Start Here: How to Self Publish Your Book, Jane Friedman, https://janefriedman.com/self-publish-your-book/

A Good Day

 It was a good day yesterday

I was transported from one place to the next to the next

I saw relatives, friends, stopped to say hello

I visited the hairdresser

It was not about my work or tasks for money or reward

It was a day to get this and fix this and pick up that

At times, there was a lot of traffic making it difficult to get to places

We got where we needed to, sometimes we took a detour.

Offline for a While

 Good morning from Amelia's Ward, Linden, Guyana! It is a much cooler day. I am enjoying the weather. I am going to be out (and offline) for a while. I need to take care of some business here in Linden.