On the heels of Hurricane Dean (Aug 19, 2007) I experienced the longest e-blackout in my entire life. No internet and no cable after 5pm. You'd think losing your house to the Caribbean Sea would be ordeal enough!

Well I'm back - Net at least. Catch me on Facebook why don't you?

She who cries for others. Who cries for me?

Self pity has its place....

Marcelle

The GraceKennedy Foundation 2007 lecture this year was on the topic "Information Communicative Technology - changing our lives". It was good to be reminded of what had interested me in this field in the firstplace. I found that as the changes were being foretold that instead of stress or concern, I was increasingly excited about the future. Excited about how my lifestyle has been and will continue to change in the ICT enabled future - touching educational, relationships, medical, occupational, spiritual and recreational pursuits.

Spent a quiet evening in a noisy Jazz bar with a good friend that lives in NY. I miss having her in Jamaica, but I think a part of living in our global ICT-enabled world is developing the ability to have these friendships that span miles in distance but are close to heart. The ict-enabled VOIP phone and email are integral communication tools in our friendship. To think we were clubbing a week ago in NY ...

Got home to check my email and ended up crying as I realised that Life is Good and yet a friend is now supporting her sister through a serious illness - allopathic anemia. I quickly Googled it and realised the prognosis was so bleak, that it was one of those illnesses where money helps but there is still no guarantee. Life is Good. This experience is reminding me that I need to pursue my interest in Ayurvedic medicine. Perhaps an online course is in order?

I am reminded of the Internet for educational purposes, relationships, medical, occupational, spiritual and recreational pursuits. And here I am, finally seeing the interconnectivity in my own life - living it daily - unconsciously. Almost.

Just got in from Calabash 2007 , our annual literary festival down in St. Elizabeth. My second experience and I've only caught a few hours each year. The festival will certainly become a pivotal event on my social calendar - I think I'll actually dedicate vacation days to catching the entire experience next year.

This evening after sampling Jerk Pork and Curry Mutton under the tents, I gorged on the offerings of Caryl Phillips and Michael Ondaatje against a backdrop of Caribbean rain and balmy breezes. These guys were the least of the offerings for the day, as reflected by their book-signing lines which were woefully small compared to other authors!! Nevertheless I loved Ondaatje's work and references to a Sri Lankan female doctor (that's for you Kanchi love), whilst Phillips' piece Growing Pains made me think yet again: "I am not alone"

Do I need to blog with a title like that? The past few months have been fabulous.

Found some balance at the office to lose it again in April when they loaded up new responsibilities. Nevertheless I have been enjoying the journey and every now & again I am amazed at my capacity to fall in and out of love with IT. Fabulous field. Life is good!!

Current new hobby - FX trading. Well, that's an exaggeration. I read about FX and talk about FX and write about FX and dream about FX - but trade FX? Still a distant reality. Another developing hobby is shooting at the range with the boys. Yep, I still hang out with the guys and surprise them and myself occasionally with feminine behaviour 8-)

Travel has been wonderful and I truly feel as though I am getting back to the lifestyle I love. March - Theron and I were off to NY to surprise Mom. Ended up spending a night in the airport due to the last winter storm of the season. You should have seen me in my heeled boots checking out the 10-mile long AA standby line. Promptly bought the most expensive flip-flops I've ever owned!! All's well that ends well - we made it to NY. We were the last standby passengers to board that plane. I cried literal eye wata!! Sigh, oh ye of little faith.

Life is good!!

My last bit of excitement was the decision to go to NY for yet another weekend, this time via Atlanta. Atlanta was the venue for an intimate conference hosted by Gartner. Made some lovely contacts and I look forward to making a repeat trip next year. Most importantly, I had the opportunity in Atlanta to reconnect with some old friends from Queen's and UWI. Top it all with cross-country shopping....Life is Good!!

Went to a little Bar-B-Q yesterday and reconnected with another group of friends - the old Amway posse. I really am blessed with the greatest friends!

Now if only we could get the dating side right! Though things are slow I'll share the great feedback from the gentlemen in the past two weeks:

• Refreshing
• Unique
• Are you over 25? (very dark club!)
  

Now I know I'm hot even with an extra 20 lbs, but I sure appreciated the confirmation . Trust me - Life is Good!!