Seeking help from a Mental Health Professional is important because they will give you sound advice and an ear. Don’t get me wrong speaking with family and friends can be beneficial when you need a… More
It’s A Celebration, CARIBMASK!
Raleigh, North Carolina, has its very own Caribbean festival, CaribMask, which is going on its 7th year!
The festival celebrates the Caribbean culture through food, dance, music, art and a lot more. This year the festival started on August 22, 2018 and ended August 26, 2018. However, I only attended the Saturday portion of the event, which involved the Parade of Bands and Village Festival, where several food vendors and pop-up shops took over Fayetteville street in Downtown Raleigh!
I had no idea the CaribMask festival was going on at all. It was just my lucky day off when I googled events in Raleigh for the weekend, and the time of the parade appeared on the list of events. I became excited and eager to attend the parade because I experienced the 2017 Caribana Fest in Toronto, Canada.
The Caribbean Festival originated as the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival; it would take place on the Monday and Wednesday before Ash Wednesday. The Caribbean festival is a celebration of several different traditions throughout each Caribbean culture. Over the years, the festival has become a popular celebration in large cities such as Raleigh, NC.!
CaribMask is hosted each year by the Raleigh-Durham Afro-Caribbean Association (RDACA). Their mission, according to their Facebook page, is to promote diversity and equality. They aim to create a deeper appreciation of Caribbean culture in the area through integration, creation, and support of community activities like the CaribMask Caribbean Carnival.
Raleigh is a vibrant and multicultural city. There were people representing several areas of the Caribbean: Jamaica, Trinidad, Africa, Colombia, Brazil, Barbados, Haiti, Bahamas, Belize, Panama, Guyana, St Lucia, and areas surrounding Raleigh, NC.
The parade started at 11 am, but I got there fifteen minutes late, so I was not able to get a good view. Each side of Fayetteville Street was filled with people as eager to see the parade as much as I was. I found a spot on the left side of the street, where I stood on the base of a tree bed next to a gentleman who seemed to be alone as well. Even though I stood on a raised tree bed, I struggled with having a good view of what was happening, but the music kept me entertained!
Once the parade was over, I immediately started looking for Jerk Chicken with red beans and rice. I tried the dish for the first time during my Jamaica trip in 2016, and I loved it! All of the food lines were extremely long; I stood in line for over 1 hour and 30 minutes. The sun was extremely hot while I waited, and I debated if it was worth it The longer I stood in line, the more I told myself I might as well stick it out because I’d been standing for such a long time already anyway! I will say…..the wait was worth it!
I hope to experience more of the festival in 2019, but in the meantime….enjoy my photos!
CaribMask 2018 Photos
Journi’s Motivation
Believe In Yourself
Invest In Yourself
Develop Yourself
You Are Enough
Only you can determine that YOU ARE ENOUGH!
If you struggle with this thought, self-confidence and self-love equals knowing YOU ARE ENOUGH!
In order for you to be enough, you have to believe you are enough. When it comes to being enough you are simply you; have self-confidence and self- love. Continue reading “You Are Enough”
The Importance of Travel and Mental Health by Tabitha James
Let’s face it, life is demanding – work, family, bills, organizational commitments, social life (ha) – we spend a lot of time doing “the things”. Our personal wellness and mental health often fall victim to neglect as we focus on getting “the things” done and maintaining the moving parts of life. For many, the thought of travel is a luxury, an illusion that time away from “the things” will be relaxing and refreshing however the lingering notion that there is no time for vacation haunts the mind. Continue reading “The Importance of Travel and Mental Health by Tabitha James”
Hello July!
While planning for the month of July and part of August, I realized 2018 is almost over. I feel as if the year just started but here we are 7 months deep with 5 more to go!
At the beginning of the year I set a goal to blog once a week or more. So far I have accomplished that goal and I am proud of me if I must say so myself.
My main goal for 2018 is to finish the things I start and handle certain situations differently. There’s a few more things on my to do list for the year therefore, July just put me in crunch mode!
Hello July! Let’s Work!
Journi’s Motivation
Traveling will open your eyes to new things!
Dear Sis: Be Bold
Dear Sis Dare to be different, dare to be BOLD!
Being bold is being confident in whatever you do or say. Being bold is having the courage to do something outside of your comfort zone or just doing something you may be afraid or uncomfortable at doing. Being bold is taking risks in life. All of these charters link together making you the BOLD TYPE.
TO The MOM: Happy Mother’s DAY!
HAPPY MOTHER’s DAY to all MOMS out there. Over the years I have meet some pretty darn amazing MOMS!
All MOMS have something in common, they want nothing but the best for their children! Moms would do all things possible to make sure their children are taken care of and to ensure they do not go without.
To the MOM who is always POSITIVE, Continue reading “TO The MOM: Happy Mother’s DAY!”
How To Move On When Your Heart Has Been Broken
Before you all get into this story I have recently gone through writers block!! Last week’s guest blogger Alyssa Frison encouraged me to share this story. I written this blog that you are about to read a few years ago and it has sat in my drafting area of word-press every since just like a few other stories that I have not posted. Some of these stories are sensitive but I figured this one might help someone else overcome a heart break or to love him or herself. Besides, I Journi is all about inspiring and motivating others so why not share! YIKES! Here it goes! Continue reading “How To Move On When Your Heart Has Been Broken”
Love Me…. Maybe I’ll Love You Back Written By Alyssa Frison “Lyssa”
I know the title is kinda crazy but stay with me, it will make sense in the end. Oh yeah, Kings, this is from the perspective of a Queen. You may be able to relate but this one is for my magical Queens. This doesn’t mean stop reading! Please read on and save a heart…or mend one.
So you’re out here living your best life! I mean you’re flourishing Queen in all ways. Hair is growing, your natural twist out is poppin’, your eyebrows are twins NOT COUSINS (lol) and you’ve even dropped a few pounds but stayed thick in all the right places. God has allowed your melanated life to be favored and you are NOT taking it for granted! Continue reading “Love Me…. Maybe I’ll Love You Back Written By Alyssa Frison “Lyssa””
