What is Chikungunya?

Late last month, The Bahamas was officially added to the list of Caribbean islands with reported cases of the Chikungunya virus. I had just heard about it during orientation in May, and was intrigued to know that  a virus, similar to Dengue (transmitted by the same mosquitoes especially) had travelled through Europe and Asia and is now in the Caribbean.

What bothers me most about the situation, was that in my research, (and in trying to inform as many family and friends as I could) it seemed that we simply couldn’t get around the name…

What IS Chikungunya, and why is it that we haven’t heard about it?  My main concern was the fact that it seemed as if NO one knew what was going on…well, unless you were in the medical field…and then I realized that if you were not informed, then you would not be informed until someone was infected here in the country – which is the worse case scenario…and that happened on June 30^th, when a tourist who had previously vacationed in the Dominican Republic, visited our shores.

So what is Chikungunya? How is it spread? How is it treated? And how can it be prevented?

The word ‘chikungunya’ has been derived from an African word that means ‘to become contorted’ , which perfectly describes a tell tale symptom of a painful stooped posture that is characterized by joint pain (athralgia).   The virus is transmitted by infected Aedes egypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.  These are the same mosquitoes that have transmitted many other viral infections, including Dengue fever.   Illness can occur between four to 8 days, but can range in average of two to 12 days.  

Surprisingly enough, the symptoms of Chikungunya closely resemble a few of the Dengue symptoms, among them are headaches, nausea, fever and tiredness with the addition of muscle / joint pain, rashes, vomiting. Although the symptoms normally last from a few days to weeks, persons have complained of feeling fatigued for several weeks.

There is no vaccination for Chikungunya, therefore you have to be very careful to prevent mosquito bites. Enclosed are websites and fact sheets that can assist with further information …because quite honestly, there is so much information that is available, and I don’t want you to depend solely on my blog….(maybe I’m just lazy…but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!)

Center for Disease Control and Prevention -  http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/chikungunya

World Health Organization - http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs327/en/

Center for Disease Control Clinical Fact Sheet -http://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/pdfs/CHIKV_Clinicians.pdf


Hands up in hope, heart full of understanding,
xoxo Jenna

Say What Now?!?!?!

Okay, so I have reiterated countless times that I have been really busy.   We FINALLY moved a few weeks ago, and are settling into our transition space…preparing for another move in a few months….did I tell you guys how demanding the moving process is?!?! The decisions that must be made to decide what stays and what goes left me stressed!!! (Hi. My name is Jenna, and I’m a hoarder.)

Some aspects of moving were therapeutic, though…and the end result has been well worth it (even though we are still living out of boxes to an extent…lol…but that may just be another blog post).

So, with moving out of the way, I was able to rule out stress as a cause for a few problems that I was physically feeling. I went on to speak with a nutritionist ( I don’t know how I got to share my symptoms, but I’m glad I did) and found out that, among other things, I’m gluten intolerant (did you envision the end of the world too when you heard that?!?!) Wow. 

It’s amazing, because I felt I was eating healthy, but I could not understand why I was feeling the way I was, or why the scale wasn't budging in a positive direction for me!  I never, in my wildest dreams thought that I would have to give up so many of my favorite foods!!!

The initial week was rough, but I’m learning now how to create palatable meals that I can enjoy, as well as how to create spin-offs of my old favorites…from time to time I may carry you guys on my gluten-free journey…I may catalogue the ups and downs etc. from time to time so that I can look back on the process, as well as help you understand what a task it is to NOT have wheat bread!!! Or birthday cake! Or *sniff* GUAVA DUFF!!!

I think the most frustrating part of the whole thing is the fact that GLUTEN IS EVERYWHERE!!! When I was blissfully unaware, I enjoyed whatever I wanted when I wanted...now I am finding it so hard to make emergency food choices (when I say emergency, I mean junk, of course…lol) without the looooong pause of either reading the label or guessing what’s on the label (in the case of vending machine purchases).

On a side note, my meals are getting interestingly creative :-)  And I wish to thank Davena Ellis (Certified Holistic Health Counselor) for that! She is an awesome nutritionist who takes me through the process step by step.  I felt the difference in ONE meal! I didn’t even think that was possible!

Well! It's official!!! I'm going to be a gluten-free kinda girl!

Hands up in acceptance, heart full of gratitude,
xoxo Jenna

FINALLY!!!

Hey you guys! I just got back on my blog!!!! I am so excited!

We were so busy transitioning, and were plagued with malfunctioning electronics INCLUDING my phone...but I FINALLY got the opportunity to log in to the blog!

There is so much that I want to share, but not enough time in this first blog back...know that I've missed you guys, and it feels so good to be back!!!!! :-)

We are gearing up for our Independence Day celebrations (July 10th) and I want to do something a little special for this, our 41st anniversary.

I will see you guys soon!

Hands up in excitement, heart full of happiness,

xoxo Jenna

P.S. I'm back!!!!!! :-D

The 'Backup Bubbla'

Was anyone trying to reach me? Well, my phone was down for quite some time (You don't realize how important your cell phone is until you don't have it!)

It started out with me being unable to hear and converse with others - They could hear me, but I couldn't hear them...I resolved that situation by using the speaker phone option and turning the volume to a level that I was personally comfortable with and it moved into me adding volume with a 'hard of hearing' app that came with the phone.

 THEN, I had difficulty texting and dialing out...which carried me back to creating voice notes and using emoticons etc instead of typing...sigh.  THEN, (yes, there is more!) my screen started to fall apart (it had dropped and cracked months ago) and I started losing the sensor capabilities on my touch screen - I solved this solution by either applying pressure to the top right hand corner while simultaneously pressing what I needed to, or (when it got worse) squeezing the bottom left corner, OR (when NOTHING else would work) removing the phone from it's shell (not a case, THE ACTUAL HOUSING) and  slightly lifting the screen whilst squeezing the top right hand section of the phone...LOL!

And then...it began to have some difficulties charging....My husband would laugh at me as he watched me wrap the charger cord around my phone repeatedly, praying to see the sensor light up to indicate charge. At this point I knew I needed a new phone but I simply couldn't afford it.

I went in for a job interview a few days ago, and I was worried about the fact that I would not have a phone to keep in contact with him.  (I like to notify him of when I have arrived to a location and when I'm leaving, so that he can have an idea of where I am and what I'm doing) Before I left for the interview, my husband came into the room grinning - he had resurrected on of the very first phones I had : A Nokia 5110!

I could not believe it!!!! There were a few reasons I had put it down - the battery slid out of place (Remember that the whole back was the battery) and my antennae was broken, so it was rare to receive calls or texts if I wasn't in the right location.

You better believe that in the end, it was a 'Franken-phone" - he said that he 'upgraded' it, but we all know the truth - I really needed the laugh! The best part about it was the fact that I could play 'Snake' again :-)

 Do you remember how fun and frustrating it was to use the 2,4,6, and 8 keys to maneuver that ever growing snake around?  My score pales in comparison to my husbands, but it was so much fun to apply strategy :-D  I remember at one point, there was a Nokia model that allowed you to sync with another Nokia and play (was that the first attempt at Bluetooth?)

Okay, so all fun and jokes aside, the phone was resurrected and was OFFICIALLY a 'bubbla'.   In The Bahamas, a bubbla is an old phone model that can only do the basic tasks: call and text.  In most cases, a bubbla is the phone that you probably put away when you got your new phone.  In my case, I had a bubbla that fell into a few categories: 1) It was a classic. 2) I had to retire it due to the fact that I badly needed a replacement (so into the drawer it went). 3) It had to be modified to be used again.

See, the thing with bubbla modifications, is the fact that it really is not worth modifying.  You WILL NOT carry it into the shop because the repairers will laugh at you...and if you ARE brave enough to do so they probably don't have the outdated parts to fix it anyway.  You're best bet is to use what you have around the house because it will be your transition phone : tape, krazy glue, rubber bands, thread or string etc (You will have to be very creative because your communication with the rest of the country or world depends on it.)

So here is the picture of my bubbla that I have been too ashamed to be caught in public with (but surprisingly
enough, not ashamed to share here on my blog for millions to see...go figure.)

Let's start with the tape (which is actually my double-sided craft tape) He calls it the "racing stripe" which is not just for aesthetic purpose, but it also holds the battery in place (remember, that was the main reason I had to replace the phone.)

The second adjustment was the hair pin (no you DID see it right...he used my hairpin for boosted reception.) LOL! He said that it boosts signal...I wouldn't really know because when I DID carry it, I texted with the phone deep in my bag, and when it rang I turned it off.  Seriously.  (people were looking around trying to figure out where that old ringtone was coming from...sigh)

Hands up in laughter, heart full of amusement,

xoxo Jenna (Official Bubbla Owner)

Heart to Heart...

These past few months have been a process...I can't describe it any other way right now because I am being refined in areas that hurt the most.  At the end of the day, the only thing I can say is: "All for His glory."  I find myself reflecting on life and its purpose daily, praying that I'm aligned with God's perfected will.

I always knew that this walk was not going to be easy, but there are some days I wonder if it's supposed to be this hard. At this point, I want to be more transparent.  I want to be the type of Christian who reveals their scars and wounds to help others...I think I am bolder now...bold enough to share my testimony with others who need to know that Romans 8:28 is a lifestyle and not just a quote from the Bible.

These recent days have been enough to break me.   I don't think people realize just how much we are going through, and I think that is because God's grace and mercy has us wrapped up.  There are nights when I have cried out and asked God "What's next?", nights when I have told Him that I can not possibly go through this without Him.  In all honesty, I think that I would have lost my mind and ended up in the psychiatric hospital here on the island.

I have learned that people will smile, laugh, and share with you until they feel or know that you have nothing to bring to the table...it doesn't matter how much you have done for them, in the end it's all about what you can do for them now.  I have severed friendships this season that left me in grief, and then with a heavy heart I have watched friends walk away.  I have experienced lack of empathy from people I thought I would be empathetic, and I have found that, for some people, money is EVERYTHING.  I have received phone calls, texts, emails, whatsapp messages etc. that were so distasteful, that at one point I had to threaten to reveal persons true characters through social media.

This whole process has taught me a few things, among them is the fact that you truly can not trust in man (Psalm 146:3-4) .  The Bible itself says that the hands of flesh will fail you . I place my hopes in God's hands, believing (and knowing) that He cherishes everything about me, and that His hands are the safest place for my sanity. And in doing so, I have a peace that REALLY surpasses understanding - which brings me to my next problem: People see you genuinely happy, and if they know your struggle (and in some instances, they know because they are the cause of your struggle) they get upset because it means that you have some source of happiness, and they feel that you shouldn't.

I had to explain to someone a few weeks back that I was unemployed, and although I am a 'creative' and had been using my abilities to assist others (photography, floral creations, jewelry making etc) it did not mean that I was making money...it simply meant that I was helping others get what they needed.  I walked away from projects without a dime but fulfilled, because at the end of the day, no amount of money could pay for the peace of mind of all involved.

I think what upsets me at times is the fact that some people don't take the time to get to know the real me (don't get me wrong, sometimes that is actually a good thing!) but I think it opens my eyes to the reality that some people could care less about getting to know who you really are - it's really about what they can get from you.

So anyway...long story short....through this process I find that I have lost or let go of people who I thought would have been here for the long haul - people who I had on my 'blessing list' ( my husband and I have a list of people we have come in contact with who we want to bless...to make it more meaningful we get to know them better and focus on their passions in life so that we can bless them specifically)...I was beginning to think that something was wrong with me - why can't I keep friends?!?!

It's all because we are heading into another level with God, on this level there will be people who have been blessed to be a blessing through encouraging words, finances, prophetic utterances etc.  He had placed persons in our lives who were supposed to be a blessing to us and they tightened their fists instead.  These people He had to remove, because He intends to replace them. (When I look at it that way, it calms me.)

When my husband and I first started out, we didn't have the easiest life, but it was so much more bearable - we could have actually understood ourselves...LOL.  Now, we don't understand how we yield so easily to God's will when life's storms ravage us...I can not explain this peace as we 'look up to see the bottom'.  I can not explain this happiness, or the joy I feel in being alone and not feeling lonely.  I thought that I would have been depressed now, but in actuality the burden of depression has been lifted off of me.

Through this process, my foundation keeps me grounded.  I'm more than willing to endure the fire because I know that I will come out as pure gold.  I don't mind the storms of life because I love the rain, and I know that at the end of it everything that doesn't belong will be wiped away and the air smells so much fresher.  The solidarity in our marriage has strengthened, and I am finding an individuality in my purpose.  I'm finding a strength in my praise, and my worship is flowing deeper.

Every single situation that we have been through brings me closer to my God and King and I would go through it all again...I would do it all again if I had to because at the end of the day I realize that I'm becoming a better me :-) These tears and scars are worth it.

Hands up in praise, heart full of worship,
 xoxo Jenna

Word for the week...

Hey you guys!!!! I have been missing in action (for good reason) and I have spent my time in reflection (observing Lent).  Through this process I am finding a strength that I did not know existed...

I'm spending some time with my friend...we are brainstorming ides for our upcoming projects.  I just wanted to pop in and hail on this rainy afternoon!

I'm enjoying this weather and had the opportunity to walk here in the 'spry' (light rain) :-)

As usual, I'm BUSY!!! (I don't understand how I'm this busy and I don't work 'on the man's job'! LOL!)

These past few weeks I've been noticing that a lot of my friends are depressed and glum...I personally feel that since we are now in April, the energy that catapulted us into the new year is fizzling out.  We are now in the fourth month of the year, and many of us have probably decided that if it hasn't happened yet then it won't happen...boy have I got news for you!!!

The word of the week is: PUSH.

Keep pushing, keep believing, keep stepping.  We can not afford to lose momentum! Everything worth having is worth fighting for, so don't give up! It's okay to step back and analyze your progression...just DON'T GIVE UP!

It's okay if you have to cry, cry - but wipe the tears as you move forward.  If you have to take a breather, breathe, but get keep pushing (You get the idea) Just don't give up!

I told someone the other day that I am ready for my second wind...I have found that music and studying God's word helps me to keep my focus.  Find the positive things in life that makes you feel like you can conquer the world! Surround yourself with positive people and place yourself in uplifting environments.  Now is not the time to hinder your progress by throwing a pity party - YOU ARE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THAT!!!

I used to hear people say "Fake it until you make it." I can't do that.   That will only cause me to practice being fake...  I say "FAITH it until you make it." Have faith in yourself, have faith in your dreams, have faith in your purpose.

I think that's how I got here now...sitting in my friend's bedroom, brainstorming ideas for upcoming events...I'm walking by faith. When you let go of fears and stand firm with a heart of expectancy, the atmosphere shifts because you believe in the possibility of the impossible!

Hands up in hope, heart full of thankfulness,
xoxo Jenna

Remembering Rambo...

 This past weekend our dog died :-( Missing him already...I don't think it's ever easy to explain the void you feel after the loss of a pet...

I remember when my brother-in-law first got him, we did not think he was going to survive because he was so young...we accepted the challenge of weaning him (his mother had died) and I left round the clock instructions for my husband (boyfriend at the time) and his brothers.

I can remember laughing at them when they had sleepless nights - not because he was sick or anything, but because Rambo felt that the best time to play was between the hours  of 2am-6am :-)  The boys always sounded like they were taking care of an actual baby...and they truly took care of him...

I could never recount all of the stories of loyalty... Rambo walked with us and protected us from danger, escorted our vehicles out of the corner, and happily greeted us when we arrived at the house.   He had this funny way of assisting you to open the car door, and I honestly think that his tail wagged him and not vice-versa.

He was such a humble dog who made friends with all of the other animals that came through the household - that included rabbits, cats, and other dogs.  He was never violent unless he felt that the family was threatened.  He was so intelligent!

I am grateful that we had the opportunity to have him, and I will miss his quirky ways.  I don't know when we are going to get another dog, but I do know that no one can replace him.

Reflections on Ash Wednesday

I had planned to write an entry all about what I intend to give up for Lent and maybe some elaborate scheme to how I will get there.  I then wanted to add some background information that explained the significance of Ash Wednesday (which is today) and the personal value that this opportunity to repent, mourn and reflect on human morality.  I was then to end with the something nice that would probably cause you to reflect and consider the positive elements that lent could apply to your life...

I woke up this morning, reflective.  In renewing my mind through prayer and meditating on scripture I realized that a Christian's life is one that should always bear a mark of repentance.  There are so many thoughts, ideas, and actions that we process  (even in the the error of omission) that we MUST repent of our shortcomings - we can chalk it all up to flesh, or accept the fact that we were in fact, conceived in sin.

In this moment, our church family is mourning the loss of a matriarch, my immediate family is at the end of a grieving process, and now beginning to accept loss in a completely different area.  There are so many tears to shed even though so many have been dried - and it is now that we truly grasp the concept of human frailty...it reminds us that we have become so comfortable in our temporary space.

I mentioned in an earlier post that we are in the process of relocating.  I think that I am experiencing my personal Ash Wednesday in that place...just as they use the ashes from the previous Palm Sunday's palm fronds, I reflect on the process that has brought us to where we are now - last year, situations that brought us into a season of praise ended in agony; just as Christ was praised as He traveled through the streets of Jerusalem and tortured on His cross, we ourselves experienced a personal Golgotha.  It baffles me when I think of how quickly things changed, and I am grateful to know that no matter the situation, Christ Himself teaches us that beauty is exchanged for ashes.

 In reflection, I am thankful for the opportunity we were afforded to be in the environment we were in.  I didn't realize that I would learn so much from the people around me (even though we keep to ourselves) I have seen beauty in the most impoverished places, and I have experienced the wishful fantasies and dreams that swirl about your head in striving for better.  I have seen people who have created personal famines as well as those who are an oasis of wisdom, beckoning for others to drink.

It all seems so surreal and it cements the realization that this life is fragile...each wail of the mothers whose cry touched the heavens when their son's lifeless bodies hit the streets, each bullet that shattered the eventual silence, each shout of laughter from the children who are robed in innocence, each joyful triumph - everything happened in those streets! And the people there showed me their resilience - I think that that is what I was sent there to learn.  That resilience - the defiant stand that they take.  One that proves life and the actuality of living it.

I walk away with those sentiments even though there were times when we did not know what was going to happen next.  This Ash Wednesday I remember that I am dust, and I shall return to dust.  I remember to continue to treat everyone with respect.  I remember that I can be in a position of power today and can find myself a pauper tomorrow...I also remember that I can be poor in spirit today, and in hope I can be spiritually enriched.  I repent, and place myself before God's altar, a living sacrifice - understanding that I may crawl off said altar, but humble enough to understand that the altar is my rightful place and I must present myself blameless before Him.

This Ash Wednesday, I prepare myself for 40 days of  personal and spiritual reflection and penitence.  A few of those days will be spent cleaning up and clearing out of our present location - boxing up, putting aside, sorting out, giving away...I don't take the moving process lightly - it causes you to analyze and process the meaningful and unimportant.

I sit back to evaluate what I have personally gained and lost, and the persons, places, items, things that I should let go of or keep...

P.S. If you don't know what Ash Wednesday / Lent is all about, then watch this video by 'Busted Halo' from YouTube...it gives you a better idea ;-) (yeah, you're welcome)

Hands up in release, heart full of expectation,
xoxo Jenna

Just popping in!

Hey you guys!  I have been M.I.A. for a few weeks...I don't even know where to begin!

I have so much to blog about, and not enough time. I have been adjusting and preparing myself in ministry etc. and have had the opportunity to meet with so many different people from all walks of life.  As I write this, my family and I are preparing to relocate and there are so many details to sort out.

At the moment we are processing death, the capacities of marriage, new life, transitioning, ministry...the ups and downs of life...I am so thankful for the husband that I have.  His support has been immensely positive and stregthening.

I just wanted to pop in and say 'hey!' sooooo: "HEY!!!!!" :-)

I'm looking forward to sharing my past few weeks with you, I'm just asking that you bear with me as I get situated.

See you guys again VERY soon - there is SO MUCH that I want to share with you guys!!!!

Hands up in gratefulness, heart full of anticipation,
xoxo Jenna

Birthday Shout It / Publishing Opportunity / Event Planning

Happy Birthday Gueli!!!! Another year older, another year wiser! My prayer is that God continues to strengthen and keep you as you mature in grace! I can still remember the day you were born! We called the nurses desk at your hospital so often that she was adopted into our family! We waited almost 24 hours for you – and it was well worth it! :-) Enjoy your day hun!

I’m starting to feel really old these days…LOL!

…

Last week a friend in a spoken word forum brought a book prospect to our attention that I would like to share with you. 

Firstly, the deadline is May 14th ( I want to put that out there FIRST because I hate when I come across an interesting opportunity and pump myself up to enter, then see that the deadline is loooong gone…sigh) and it’s all about showcasing artisans.

Entitled “Hurricanes: The Anthology”, this project requests entries in poetry, short stories, paintings, sculptures, etc.  I was contemplating the possibility of sending some of my work in, and if you are interested, maybe you should do the same.

I’m not going to write too much about it because there is a lot of information on the website that you are going to have to read through.

…

We are ten weeks into 2014 and I’m working on a proposal for a family event.  I’m hoping that I can stay focused today…it IS Wednesday, and I’m pushing through the week with expectations of a positive review. 

We are two days away from the weekend! :-D (That statement gave someone life just now) We can do it!  Blessings to you and yours! And thanks once again for joining me on this journey!

Hands up in confidence, heart full of ambition,

xoxo Jenna

In reflection...

Disclaimer: This entry may not make any sense.
I have been trying to sort out my emotions for a few days...I got some disheartening news and I simply couldn't function.  I didn't realize how deeply I was affected until I tried to edit photos, but couldn't.

Usually, photo editing keeps me focused, in this instance I could only lean on an old friend...one I consider my baby sister.  She is thousands of miles away but it felt like she was right here beside me holding my hand as we sifted through the bittersweet nostalgia of  what we could together.

Today, I spent about an hour at the beach.  It helped me clear my thoughts a bit, but there is still a dull ache. I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible, and I am grateful for people who have given me my space and time.   In my moment of clarity on the beach, I could only exhale breaths of thankfulness.  I didn't want to think of the uncertainty of a person's character.  I didn't want to wonder what others were possibly thinking, or where they are personally headed.  I wanted to get away from the headlines and the hearsay.

When I got back in, I drafted a simple email...and I honestly don't even remember what I wrote...but I felt better.  It's more than some people probably would have done.  I saw it written somewhere: "If you don't say something, the person who needs to hear it won't". And now...all I can do is wait...

I look back and  I realize that there is so much more to life than materialistic things - friendship, family, ministry...those are the most important things to me and I value them.  I am probably willing to put my life on the line for the relationships that I do have.

So, in this my moment of reflection, I guess I must come to the conclusion that this is life.  We can't live it for each other.  We can't live through each other. We must endure with each other's decisions and stand as firmly as we can.   And then I wonder if I have ever cried this much at the loss of life...no one has died, but it feels like I did a little because I expected so much more than this...

 I cried for someone's innocence.  I pray that it was not in vain.

Hands up in surrender , heart full of tears ,

xoxo Jenna

Sharing it with the World!!!

Just popping in to let the world know that I love my husband!!!! :-D  He is my everything and I love him more than air!  I know that I’m not the easiest person to get along with, but he loves me for me and appreciates who I am.  Who could ask for more?

 Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you that celebrate, and if you don’t?  “Carry on smartly” ;-) For years I was in that number of persons who didn’t celebrate for two main reasons: 1) It’s lost its real meaning and 2) It’s a married people thing. (which is it’s real meaning)

I love him so!!!!

 I strongly feel that Valentine’s Day has been overly commercialized – I feel so sorry for men who are pressured into taking whole paychecks to purchase scantily filled baskets to prove to women that they truly do love them.  I believe in tokens of affection, but I don’t think that the gaudiness wrapped in red and white is really important. 

We all know the story that Valentine’s Day is spun from, and I salute St. Valentine for restoring the sanctity of marriage in his era. The men and women who were wedded by him must have been a rare breed – circumstances were mounted against them, and they probably didn’t have the luxuries that we lavish upon ourselves in the celebration of marriage these days.

I believe that a person’s TRUE Valentine is their marriage partner – and so, every year, my husband and I go out of our way to put an extra bit of love in our day as we celebrate with others all over the world.

So, as I prepare for ministry this evening, I just wanted to pop in and tell you guys to enjoy your day.  We would normally make an extra special dinner and eat in, but we have been invited to the opening service of Grace Evangelical Ministry’s Women’s Conference and we get to bask in the love of the couples there as we fellowship.

Hands up in affection, heart full of possibilities,

xoxo Jenna

All Hail the Queen (Conch)!!!!

One word: Conch (pronounced Konk…and we use that word in another context too… “to violently hit a person…preferably in the head eg. “Watch me ‘konk’ you” or “Watch out before that coconut ‘konks’ you!”) But SERIOUSLY….let’s talk CONCH…

"Shells on the Wharf" J. Christina Photography (c)2014

Maybe it’s because I’ve been craving this mollusk (YES! A really huge TASTY snail) for at least a week now…I have changed its presentation in my head from cracked (beaten, floured and fried), to frittered (placed in a batter and fried….something similar to hush puppies), to scorched (scored and seasoned with herbs and orange juice etc…maybe raw…maybe grilled…sigh)…and then I’ve really been thinking of a conch salad (raw and cut into manageable pieces with lemon juice, orange juice and  herbs like onion, sweet pepper, celery etc.) Yeah…I’m leaning more toward the salad because I can FINALLY try the tropical conch salad that is all the rage these days.  

Atropical conch salad would be prepared normally, but fruits such as strawberries and pineapples are added…this variation on the salad is a skill that has been honed by another family island and is becoming a big hit here…a hit that I haven’t tried yet.  And I’m not feeling pressured in any way, I think I’m a bit old school, and it isn’t just with my food…

• ·         Am I the only one who gets peeved when they realize that the Microsoft Word program now starts you up in the Calibri font? I’m a Times New Roman type gal…and I feel weird writing in a different font…

• ·         Do you think I’m going to be one of those older people who INSIST on calling establishments by their previous names? Eg. Telecoms (pronounced Telecalms by my grandparents) ---> BaTelCo (our generation) ---> BTC(…the sidekick must be the only person who calls it BTC in our home)…well I call it BTC when something goes wrong (does that count?)…they have this slogan that goes “BTC dun done it again” (BTC has done it again!) and it’s supposed to be a GOOD thing, (especially when they are mentioning how they have upgraded a cell phone package etc.)

See what I mean?!  (Let’s get back on topic though…)

I’m craving conch…

Known as an aphrodisiac for generations, the Strombus Gigas (Queen Conch), a simple, one-toed delicacy (sounds weird huh? LOL…but it has one nail that it uses to slowly pull itself across the ocean floor as it eats) is a staple in our diet and can be prepared in countless ways (I cannot complain).

So until I actually get it, in ‘some way, shape, or form’ I will dream about the many tantalizing ways I can prepare it, and OF COURSE nag my husband as subtly as I can until he craves it too (I think I will teach you guys how to do that in my next blog post, so stay tuned!) Ha!

Hands up in enthusiasm , heart full of schemes,

xoxo Jenna