Baking with Chakara and Talice

My niece Chakara spent last week with me and somehow I found myself promising that we would bake chocolate chip cookies before she went back home.

Since she was leaving Wednesday evening, on Wednesday morning armed with the ingredients and a sheet with a recipe from kraftfoods.com we set out to make chocolate chip cookies.




We started putting in all the ingredients and was almost ready to start putting the cookie dough in the baking pan (I don’t own cookie sheets) when I remembered, “oops, we forgot the brown sugar.”



We quickly added in the brown sugar, but before we could put the first set of cookie dough on the sheet, there was a knock on the door. Our cousin Talice who lives next door came over and of course she wanted to join in the fun.

At the end of two or so hours I had a very untidy kitchen and



this...














this...


















and this

After the cookies were cooled they were packaged up for both girls to take home. I had no intention of testing my will power by keeping any of them at my house:)

Thanks kraftfoods.com, the cookies were certainly delicious, now if I could get some help cleaning my kitchen next time...

Daily He Provides

I'm over here today

“Wouldn’t it be great if we woke up one day to find that all of our debts were paid and we had a daily allowance to live on?” I asked my brother recently...

I'm at LWG today. Do stop by to read the rest.

Reading...

I'm still always thrilled when I see a young lady deeply engrossed in an issue of Girl Talk. She did not even realize that I had my camera trained on her.

Sandra’s Triumph

“Accidents don’t happen to people like me,” or so I thought. So I got into a car with someone who’d been drinking. Bad choice!! That one mistake almost cost me my life. In fact it’s a miracle that it didn’t. So my advice to you is, don’t be like me! Don’t think that bad things can’t happen to you because I’m a living witness that it can and it will, if you don’t make the right choice.
GT June/August 2004

Sandra paused and looked up at the full auditorium then continued her speech.

“I wrote the short article that I just read a year and a half ago after recovering from an accident that could have taken my life. After the accident I wanted to give up so many times because every thing about my life had changed in just one moment of time including my appearance. However, with the help of our school’s guidance counselor, my family, you my friends, teachers who refused to let me quit, and later a new found faith in God I was able to pull it together. Now I stand before you as your Valedictorian, proof that out of bad situations good can come if you’re willing to work hard and trust in God.” Sandra paused again as the auditorium erupted in cheers and applause. Then she continued her speech.

“Class of 2008, we have experienced many things during the course of our high school, journey some good and some not so good, let’s hold on to the good.

We’ve received words of wisdom from teachers and administrators let’s use them to help us become better, wiser, stronger young adults.

We’ve formed friendships over our time here that I hope with the help of texting, messenger, Facebook, My Space and Hi5 will last a life time.

So as we say goodbye to the carefree days of high school I would like to say to our parents, it’s because of you that we’re here; because of the times you hugged and those when you yelled at us. We love you and thank you for your love and support.

To our teachers and administrators, thank you for never giving up on us even when we pushed you to the limits and made you wonder why you ever joined the teaching profession.

Finally to you class of ’08, I say remember, don’t ever allow yourself to be defined by your mistakes, always remember to reach for the heavens that you may fall among the stars. I’ll see you there as we all soar together.

Sandra walked to her seat to the sounds of the standing ovation given by the graduating class and the rest of the auditorium.

GT Jun/Aug '08
Fiction

If you would like to read the introduction to Sandra’s story the links are below

Part 1 Sandra's Mistake

part 2 Sandra's Decision

I'm No Angel

I’m no angel
So don’t expect me to be
I’m just an ordinary girl
With human frailties

I’m going to make mistakes
As I try to find my way
So if my halo’s a little crooked
Don’t worry, I’ll be okay

I’ll say the wrong thing
As I try to express myself
I know what’s inside me
But the words don’t come out right

Please know that I am trying
To be the best that I can be
But don’t expect me to be perfect
The pressure is too much for me

I want to make you proud
You know I really do
But don’t set impossible standards
For me to aspire to

If it’s perfection you want
Then I’m going to disappoint
Because the pressure to be perfect
Takes all the joy from life

Pressure to be Perfect

I wrote the above poem in response to a conversation I had with several young ladies who confessed to feeling pressured to be perfect little “angels” all the time and to feeling overwhelmed by our high expectations of them.

Well girls, I’ll concede only to this, we probably shouldn’t expect you to be perfect since none of us are. However, just as our creator has bigger dreams for us than we can ever imagine so do we have big dreams for you. We will always want you to excel and reach for goals that may seem far beyond your reach. So my dear young ladies, would you settle for one out of two?

GT Jun/Aug '08

A Work in Progress

I'm over here today

This summer among other things, I am working on a writing project that has me on somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster, some days laughing, some days crying and some days laughing through tears.

I'm at LWG today. Do stop by to read the rest.

Spotlight on DeAnthia Adderley

I pray for our Bahamaland to get back to the way it was because now-a-days I'm afraid to go out with my friends because you don’t know what to expect and what can happen. DeAnthia Adderley

What is something that you pray for often? This was one of my questions to this issue’s Spotlight Teen. Her answer shown above speaks of the type of person that this young lady is. Sixteen year old DeAnthia Adderley is a twelfth grader at Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy. She is known both for her helpfulness in the home and in her church. She is such an exemplary young lady that she has been chosen as Youth of the Year for two consecutive years at her church.

One of DeAnthia’s proudest moments was when she overheard one of the younger youths saying, “I would love to be the type of person that Dee is.” That simple comment encouraged DeAnthia to try to always set a good example because she is aware that there are young girls who look up to her as a role model.

DeAnthia has a proven track record for being a responsible young lady. She held the position as president of her school’s Junior Achievers program for one year and feels that her company has done very well under her leadership. This young lady is also very athletic and loves to play volleyball. She plays with a community night league as well as her school’s volleyball team.

Although DeAnthia is excited about her future and leaving high school she has one regret DeAnthia who fell short of the honor roll wishes she had placed more emphasis on excelling academically even as she focused on developing other areas. Her advice to young ladies about this very important area where she has fallen short is “remember that your teachers already have what you’re now trying to get. Don’t feel as if you are hurting them when you don’t do your best.”

In DeAnthia’s own words

What is something that has really impacted your life? That would probably be the death of my godfather. He was a person who had a smile on his face everyday. His passing made me realize that no one is going to be here forever and that we should make the best out of each day because we never know when it will be our last.

What are some of your dreams/goals for the future? After graduation I intend on finding a job, I will attend classes in the night and to get my Associates in Computer Information System and Business Management.

What will you remember most about high school? The things that I will remember the most about high school is the teachers that are dedicated and have a passion for teaching and would not give up until they know that you understand what is being taught to you, also, the guidance of my principle he talks to us as thought we were his own children, and oh, can’t forget those $4.00 lunches ☺.

What do you think contributes to young ladies not living up to their potential in high school? Some of the reason young girls may not live up to their potential in school may be that they’re too focused on their boyfriend, who is he talking to and wondering if the girl he’s talking to want to fight them because she likes him too. Also, some may be too busy trying to be the “boss of the class room.” If the teacher says something to them they show attitude because they want to show their friends that no one is going to boss them around.

What words of advice do you have for those young ladies you’re going to leave behind when you graduate this June? My advice to them is to stay focused in class. Every bit of information that the teacher is telling you grab on to it. Try not to get into trouble because like my principal tells us at every assembly, “You’re writing your transcript and no one want something bad on their transcript.” Also, be on you best behavior and follow the rules because what boss wants to employ a person with a bad attitude and no manners who doesn't follow the rules?

How would you describe yourself in one word? “Blessed" because every morning I can wake up with a roof over my head, a fan blowing breeze in my face and peaceful. I call myself blessed because I have two parents that love me and a family I wouldn’t give up for the world …”

What would you like young ladies to remember about you after reading this article? I would for them to remember that I kept my feeling as real as I could and that I spoke from my heart.

GT Jun/Aug '08

Why Not Teaching?

By Mrs. Veronica Ferguson

What is God’s purpose for your life and how will you fulfill his will in your chosen career ? What do you want to be in life? As I left high school I had many and more of these questions buzzing around in my head. As you leave High School think about what you love to do most. What is it that you see you self doing ten years from now and enjoying it while making living from it.

I have been a teacher for almost twenty years and I am still passionate about what I do. I make a difference in the lives of children and that influence will last for a life time. Teachers are special people whom God, our master teacher in his divine wisdom has ordained as heritage keepers in a world where children are our most precious resources. Teachers are God’s special assistants who go about daily assisting with the planting of dreams in the minds of young people everywhere. This job demands only the best of the society.

Teachers are educational evangelists. Where would you be without the vision and leadership of a good teacher? Great Teachers make a difference in the lives of children. Teachers are powerful advocates and models of excellence, as they believe that all children can learn and never give up on their students.

As we move into a more global market economy, more opportunities are created for stable teaching positions. However, this new call for teachers demands those who are passionate about children and learning. Those special agents who want to be extravagant about changing lives, eliminating ignorance and creating responsible leaders.

Finally, ask yourself three simple questions as you consider teaching:
Am I willing to commit to life long learning, growth and discipline?
Am I enthusiastic about shaping and molding the characters of young people?
Am I willing to be a part of a movement that does not have all the answers but is looking for dreamers and visionaries to carry out its mission?

Why do I teach? I teach because I love children. I teach because my encounters in the lives of my students are priceless. I teach because it gives wings to my faith in God. I teach to show children that there is still love in the world despite their experiences. I teach because teaching is the job that demands the most courage. Look deep within yourself. Do you have that courage?

Mrs. Veronica Ferguson
Professor, College of the Bahamas,
School of Education, Northern Campus

GT Jun/Aug '08