There is a place, a small drop in the sea, where people love and live a laid back life. A place that harbours culture and variety mixed with a lot of respect. This is a place which knows no boundaries when it comes to faith, hope and perseverance...not to mention pride. An island bright, boasting the green, black and gold where my heart was born, grew, lives and will be buried. I have an intense hope for this wonderful creation that is still young and vibrant yet not completely free. Not until the hope of better opportunity for all, peace, unconditional love and a constant search for knowledge becomes a reality for each individual there. You ask, "What does Jamaica mean to me?" I respond, "Jamaica is my hope, my people, my faith, my love, my passion, my freedom, my home."
Ahhhh!!!Home! Where all is familiar and similar yet different...you know what I mean? My mind's eye sees it as a source of hapiness...a well of relief!!Jamaica is the place where love grows and reigns despite the fact that no place nor body is perfect. Jamaica is the person who talks like me; who hopes for more for our people and our land; who understands and appreciates the beauty and possibilities found in the black, green and gold.
I moved away from Jamaica three years ago and never really adjusted to life away from home. They say home is where the heart is, so it is evident to me that my heart never left Jamaica. I began to sink into a dark well of frustration, doubt and depression because of the move. I did all the things I thought would help me stay close to home, not make me miss it...yearn for it as much, by spending lots of money on long distance phone calls; numerous e mails per day to most of the people who were still living there; writing letters; immersing myself into reggae and dancehall music(something I hardly cared for in Jamaica) and whatever else I thought of that would just keep me close to home. The temporary "fix" began to wear off and so there I was in the deep dark hole again that is depression. Then one day I am introduced to a Jamaican Website called "everyting Jamaican" and the deep dark hole gradually begins to get more shallow. The light of day starts to break through my dark clouds and my life begins again.
ETJ has renewed my spirit. The part of me that believed Jamaica was a thing in my past, which I should slowly but surely learn to live without, died and breathed life into the hopes I had for my country and my people again. ETJ is not KC or me or Domo or PB or Jammy(JamCan) ETJ is all of us combined...all the members and guests from different walks of life that share something in common-our love for Jamaica! I lost sight of what it was that I wanted to accomplish most in life, which was helping to make Jamaica the best it could be while maintaining the best of what it is and has been so that its youth could grow to love and cherish and appreciate it as I had forgotten to do. Forgotten that was until ETJ...my home away from home! ETJ reminds me of what "home" really feels like and what it really is. ETJ has rekindled that drive, those hopes and that love that burns only for Jamaica!!I believe God blessed me with ETJ! Thanks ETJ for making EVERYTING JAMAICAN!
OUT OF MANY....ONE PEOPLE

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Nuh Watch No Face
2 Sweet

Congrats on the bronze medal Fieva...Nice essay!!...Wording and everything was good..

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Congrats mi likkle sista. YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU. And two writers can't ever compete.
I read this piece and I cry. I cry because I feel you, I know you and love you, and most of all I can stand in your shadow and attest to all that you have written.
Very profound!
I really enjoyed it and I hope that you wil continue to love us as we do you and most of all, love Jamaica, our home sweet home.
Nuff love and peace, PB.

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Thanx Guys!!!!I really appreciate it and I am still a bit speechless coz it was very unexpected....LOL...PB u know what I mean!!!Thanx again and i'm glad Jamaica and ETJ brought us together!!!Peace and nuff luv

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Nuh Watch No Face
2 Sweet

Sweet that was beautiful! Mi tink Ducani picked the winners cause he's IN Jamaica right now and you guys just added to the peace and relaxation he's experiencing right now. Nice up girl.

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

FievaSweet: Your eloquence brought tears to my eyes and I'm not from your country but do very much feel for you and all the others on this board that are separated from your dear home. I cannot imagine how it feels to sit in the middle of the US and long for your country, but your story helped me to understand it. Very good piece and big up to you on receiving the bronze. Love you gyal an hope fi meet yu soon. Peace n nuf luv, JM

Aaaaaaaawwwwwwww thats beautiful, well done

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One True Original Me Only one year older

very nice~~~

thats why I will be soon moving back to ja,

cant tek de rat race no more!!