Jim Richardson on Going Around the World -- National Geographic

Jim Richardson on Going Around the World -- National Geographic

Patriotism: What does it mean?

  My dad and I have conversations that range from business, religion, secreat societies to conspiracy theories and of course politics. Politics, in my own words, is a nasty game, which I hope to never be entangled with. One of these talks led up to patriotism, and I've come to notice that many of my fellow countrymen/women aren't aware of what it means to be a patriot. I'm planning to publish the following post in the editorial section of Guyana Times and the Stabroek News, for good measure in case it didn't make it in the Times.

I would like to ask every one: Do you know what that word means? No? Well how very sad ,as my Social Studies professor from high school would have said. I’m sort of shocked, no, not really. Point is though I’m not telling what it means.  But then I might. We’re supposed to know, we’re supposed to be teaching this to our children so that they’ll teach theirs, and so on.

I love my country. A country that has been through a lot, then again, which country didn’t have bumps and bruises of its own? I love Guyana(that’s where I’m from) and I want to be honest with everyone and myself that after a lot of thought I came to that conclusion; me loving my motherland. Yes, after a lot of thought, and I’m ashamed of myself for taking so long to realize this, but thanks to my parents’ constant lecturing, I’m on the right track.

Guyana certainly had a history of her own. But what do some of us care, that’s all in the past, right? Wrong. Dead wrong.

My Jade Buddha!

The other day I had gone to Georgetown for my visit to the dentist, and I'm very happy to say that my braces are finally off !However I still have to wear a stupid retainer. So we, my gran,dad and I, made other stops while we were in town.One of these places were a Chinese store,The Glorious General Store,where Gran visits often.

 While browsing around I came across some necklaces and jade pendants, some shaped like triangles with smoothe,curved ends.Then a simple fine woven chain of a kind of black sturdy thread and a little jade Buddha suspended in the middle caught my attention.I'll admit that I'm interested in Buddism but my aunt knew alot more of it than I did,but at that moment I knew I had to have it and that's just what happened.I got one for my sister but with another pendant that was also jade.

 I really like the pale green stone.Buddha was carve beautifully with a halo behind his round head and chubby cheeks. You wouldn't believe it was a stone.When you turn it around then you see the evidence that it was one, with small dents and creases.

 Yes,it's beautiful alright but the hard part was putting it on.At first when I attempted to put it on it wouldn't go aroun my head,and no my head isn't that big,the trouble was that the chain didn't have a hook at the back.However,at last,after 15 minutes of investigation I discovered two knots at either sides of the chain.So when I adjusted them,the length would increase or decrease.

 I wear it every day and it's my favourite choice of jewelry.The day after I bought it and wore it to work everyone admired my little Buddha.
 The one in the picture above is very similar to mine.Had the same shade and everything except for a few fine details.My chain was black and had three transparent white beads on either side.

My addiction to Goodreads.I'm not sure it's healthy,but what do I care!

I joined Goodreads,a book review website that everyone should visit,in Janurary.I've read only 99 books(I don't mean to brag or anythin)!But hey,I'm still young.I've been going on ever since,joining groups,making friends and hunting for new books to devour.
 You see,the bad thing is that I've got my CSEC exams coming up and I'm on Goodreads almost everyday and blogger is proving to be a little addictive as well.My will power isn't that firm where my isolation from books and Goodreads are concerned,even if it's temporary.Well, my condition's called 'addiction' for a reason!

What Happened to the beautiful sound of music?

 I'm glad to say I'm not a fan of Linkin Park who is amongst the many who include obscene language in their "music" I believe some call it.I say it's noise, that's right noise pollution!I can't take the screaming some bands incorporate into their work!It's just frustrating!
 What happened with the fun,lively, beautiful music of yesterday(the 70's,80's and 90's also even before)?I prefer  to listen to the Beatles whole day!Oh,I'd listen to "Yesterday", "We can Work it Out" over and over again.Tell me who has ever heard of Paul Mauriat?Anyone?Someone? His  "I Love Choppin" is amazing, not to mention "Windy" and "Love is Blue"!You could drift off to this abyss of peace and quietness,where you could just ...just be.It's relaxing,soothing and a delight and special treat to the ears,my equivalent to chocolate,Caudbury Dream to be a bit more specific.
 Bach,Mozart,Miles Davis,Bob Acri and Debussy.It seems that most of  us young people of this generation think that that kind of music is for our dads and grampa's,basically the old timers.Well I've got news,I'm a teenager, a proud one too, who listens to them!Anyone can!