Thanks. I don't believe in Jamaicans bad-talking Jamaica. Reality yes, but not making it look worse than America because it's not. Every country including Jamaica need to work on their economy and their balance of trade (except maybe China where tht b. of tradething concerned, lol).

And moving to Jamaica (I am speaking for born Jamaicans) is always possible with research, planning, preparation, and savings years in advance.

While I was down there I had fun, of course, went weddy wednesday, passa passa, Quad, beach whatever...BUT I made sure apply for my TRN while i was there. My aunt brought up the official card for me once it was processed. My Jamaican passport I got renewed last year, and next is a NIS card because i heard i will need it to get a mortgage on a house. I will also need to become a member of one of the building societies and make regular contributions to my account so i can get points on their points system towards a lower interest mortgage. And i have been asking people who are living and working down there what companies down there like to see on resumes, and for them to critique my resume for what is missing. Aside from of course finishing my bachelors and masters, my cousin has noted Jamaican companies like to see extra certifications and "things" and since I have no problem living elsewhere besides Kingston, I should look into the tourism/hospitality industry. She has also mentioned project management is hot, she knows a guy who got a good paying job with JPS doing project management soon after he got his degree in it down there...and he was just coming off probation.

So I intend to get a bachelors in management, and mba with extra designation for health care management cause i can fit the extra 3 classes in before my school's graduation date that year, so i might as well, and once i am working, i'll be saving for the downpayment on a house in ja and getting certifications in project management and hospitality management. Now you tell me if somebody with all that and 5-7 years total work experience can't find a good job in Jamaica? I think I can. And my aunt warned me to save up at least 3 months of Jamaica living expenses including school fees so when I getthere i am not stranded until my first cheque comes in from my new job, or in case anything unexpected happens.

And I made sure it was in my divorce agreement that the father consents to signing the US dept. of state travel consent form (they use that now to prevent international parent abduction) and that he pays half of any private school fees...not cause i intend to afford american private schools, but cause i know in Jamaica he will not be going to a free school. All about seeing the future and planning way ahead.

And to all Jamaicans, the crossroads branch manager of RBTT bank is encouraging ALL OF US to buy land in Jamaica, "any piece a bush" because the land is valuable, and affordable, and prices will go up. She also strongly urges all of us to support Portia and the economy by saving in savings accounts in Ja instead of up here. The interest rates are nicer too to attract people's money.

That's my pr for the day, maybe somebody can make a general announcement about that...instead of complaining about ja, there goes a very immediately doable thing we can ALL do to help out...we should all have savings accounts, so instead of putting them in banks here, open (and USE) a Ja. account.