Yardies, at home and a farrin' (Part 4)

[Jengles 0]

Yuh dyam right...again!! Preach, Preach Sis! I would move home inna heartbeat if I couldda live inna JA deh life I live 'ere! I always seh I would LOVE fi send mi pickney dem to school inna JA. Believe it on not, it is a much better educational system den the one here!

We've had this discussion on here before and I totally disagree with you. What are you basing this off of? You can get an education ONLY IF you can afford to pay for school, pay for books, pay for uniforms, and pay to get to and from school. Here in the U.S. education is free to everyone. Not to mention, the standards are a lot different. My husband went up through 10th grade and can barely read and write. Here, you wouldn't even get past 2nd grade without these basic skills.

Hey Rhonda,

I hear what you are saying about paying for school in JA. You are correct, that part is totally unfair! However, I am talking about the structure and curriculum taught in JA. Children are taught more at a younger age for example, Physics, Calculus, Biology re started in their equivalent of 6th & 7th grade, in the prep schools. Where as, here that is not even touched upon til 11th & 12th...if you’re lucky! That's why Americans are falling so far behind the world because we don't push our youngsters to develop these tools early enough so the gather a real understanding of how to utilize and master them once in college.

I am a Dean of Academic Advisement at a University here on Long Island, and I seriously can't tell you how many times I have had International Students (including West Indians) come to me and say the Physics/Calc classes are too easy and they learned this 4 years ago back home in high school! Meanwhile many of my U.S. students are coming in and telling me that they just can't keep up with what is being taught because they were not adequately prepared for College-Level course during their primary education.

So again, yes I agree with you when it comes to the equality of all Jamaican children receiving an education, that MUST be corrected and the playing field be made leveled. However, when it comes to what is being taught in the classrooms in JA. I still believe we could learn something!

P.S.- I actually pay $7000 a year in school taxes for my children to attend the public school in my district. So, free is not always so 'free'.

Blessings and respect,

Gill

Gill,

I think its what school you go to. My son got into the gifted program and I didn't put him in for as far as I am concerned the gifted program here is where kids of normal intelligence go since the schools in my neighborhood are so horrible.

I had biology in eighth grade and thought my whole freshman year too easy compared to my last year of high school. and got most of my schooling here in the states. here in nyc the quality of the education is horrible vs. jamaica where you must have money to go to school. I went to college on Long Island ....

[luvtravlin 0]

**OFF TOPIC** -- travel info -

American Airlines and United Airlines have dropped the points required for short-haul award tickets. On American, you’ll only need 15,000 miles (not the usual 25,000) for roundtrip nonstops of 750 miles or less (booked for travel by Feb. 29, 2008). Meanwhile, United will give award tickets for 15,000 points (not 25,000) for flights of 700 miles or less booked by Dec. 12 for travel through Dec. 14.

[luvtravlin 0]

USCIS Application and Receipting Update

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advises customers that, due to a tremendous increase in the number of applications filed, processing of fee payments and entry of cases into our tracking system is behind schedule. As a result, applicants can expect notices of receipt to be delayed. USCIS is working hard to deal with the increased volume.

Delay in fee processing and data entry will not affect an applicant's Change of Status or Extension of Stay eligibility if all other eligibility requiements are met. USCIS continues to process Premium Processing Service requests within 15 days.

USCIS will honor the actual date that an application was received in our mailroom; this date will be indicated on the receipt (in the Received Date box) when Form I-797, Notice of Action, is mailed. Until this situation is resolved, USCIS will provide these weekly updates on progress in issuing receipt notices to our customers. We appreciate your understanding.

As of September 7, 2007, USCIS has completed data entry and issued receipt notices for applications and petitions received on or before the dates indicated:

California Service Center

Form Number Date Received

I-130 8/07/2007

N-400 7/24/2007

All Other Forms 8/28/2007

Nebraska Service Center

Form Number Date Received

I-131 7/29/2007

I-140 7/29/2007

I-485 Employment

Based 7/29/2007

I-765 7/29/2007

N-400 7/25/2007

All Other Forms 8/05/2007

Texas Service Center

Form Number Date Received

I-131 7/02/2007

I-140 7/02/2007

I-485 Employment

Based 7/02/2007

I-765 7/02/2007

N-400 7/16/2007

All Other Forms 8/19/2007

Vermont Service Center

Form Number Date Received

I-130 7/26/2007

N-400 7/22/2007

All Other Forms 8/30/2007

USCIS Lockbox

Form Number Date Received

I-485 Family Based 8/15/2007

[Forever Young 1]

Yuh dyam right...again!! Preach, Preach Sis! I would move home inna heartbeat if I couldda live inna JA deh life I live 'ere! I always seh I would LOVE fi send mi pickney dem to school inna JA. Believe it on not, it is a much better educational system den the one here!

We've had this discussion on here before and I totally disagree with you. What are you basing this off of? You can get an education ONLY IF you can afford to pay for school, pay for books, pay for uniforms, and pay to get to and from school. Here in the U.S. education is free to everyone. Not to mention, the standards are a lot different. My husband went up through 10th grade and can barely read and write. Here, you wouldn't even get past 2nd grade without these basic skills.

Hey Rhonda,

I hear what you are saying about paying for school in JA. You are correct, that part is totally unfair! However, I am talking about the structure and curriculum taught in JA. Children are taught more at a younger age for example, Physics, Calculus, Biology re started in their equivalent of 6th & 7th grade, in the prep schools. Where as, here that is not even touched upon til 11th & 12th...if you’re lucky! That's why Americans are falling so far behind the world because we don't push our youngsters to develop these tools early enough so the gather a real understanding of how to utilize and master them once in college.

I am a Dean of Academic Advisement at a University here on Long Island, and I seriously can't tell you how many times I have had International Students (including West Indians) come to me and say the Physics/Calc classes are too easy and they learned this 4 years ago back home in high school! Meanwhile many of my U.S. students are coming in and telling me that they just can't keep up with what is being taught because they were not adequately prepared for College-Level course during their primary education.

So again, yes I agree with you when it comes to the equality of all Jamaican children receiving an education, that MUST be corrected and the playing field be made leveled. However, when it comes to what is being taught in the classrooms in JA. I still believe we could learn something!

P.S.- I actually pay $7000 a year in school taxes for my children to attend the public school in my district. So, free is not always so 'free'.

Blessings and respect,

Gill

Gill,

I think its what school you go to. My son got into the gifted program and I didn't put him in for as far as I am concerned the gifted program here is where kids of normal intelligence go since the schools in my neighborhood are so horrible.

I had biology in eighth grade and thought my whole freshman year too easy compared to my last year of high school. and got most of my schooling here in the states. here in nyc the quality of the education is horrible vs. jamaica where you must have money to go to school. I went to college on Long Island ....

Hiya Jengles,

I agree with you that dependent upon where you live here, really determines how prepared you are for college. I have seen freshman come into Colleges as sophomores because their school districts had college-level classes starting in 10th grade and their parents weren't stupid! Better to pay a couple of $100 for a college level class that will transfer, than a couple of $1000 when they get into college. However, the curriculum across the national board has to be raised, if we want our children to be able to compete in the world-wide market upon graduating from college!

Unfortunately, 'No child left behind' was a huge failure, because it only taught children how to memorize, not truly comprehend! Then the schools that really needed Federal funding the MOST (typically in low-income areas), would be penalized the harshest, and lose their $$, for not being able to reach the federally required level in testing!! There has got to be a better way.

For example, I have been fighting with my school district for YEARS, to start teaching a 2nd language in Kindergarten! Trying to teach kids a 2nd language when they are 13 and 14 years old is useless! They have already mastered the first! I was born in UK and left when I was 6. But I remember being taught French words and English words together in school! Here in NY they are doing our children such a disservice by not teaching them Spanish earlier, so they can be fluent in it upon graduating from HS. Right now, I look in the classified ads section and 'Bilingual A+' is listed on almost every other ad! Like it or not...that's not changing in the next 20 years...it's only going to grow! Hell, I told my Superintendent that he should probably look into Chinese and Arabic, while he's looking into Spanish. Because again, children that can speak these languages in 15-20 years will be assured to find good paying jobs either in the government or private business sector!

It's all about thinking ahead to what the needs of the next decade or two are going to be!

SO SORRY for my long-winded answer, but education is just something I am passionate about!

PS.-Which College in LI, did you go?

[Jengles 0]

Gil,

Agree with you on the 2nd language, my son's preschool taught swahli (sp) from age 2 but I would have preferred Spanish even Mandarin. My zone school had passing rates of 36% on the third grade tests and the so called gifted school had rates of 60% this number included the gifted program and regular program.and I was supposed to send my son there? I was also born in the u.k. and came over here when I was seven and was super board in 2nd grade because it was stuff I had seen already.

I went to c.w. post

Edited September 12, 2007 by Jengles

[Forever Young 1]

Gil,

Agree with you on the 2nd language, my son's preschool taught swahli (sp) from age 2 but I would have preferred Spanish even Mandarin. My zone school had passing rates of 36% on the third grade tests and the so called gifted school had rates of 60% this number included the gifted program and regular program.and I was supposed to send my son there? I was also born in the u.k. and came over here when I was seven and was super board in 2nd grade because it was stuff I had seen already.

I went to c.w. post

Dyam disgraceful- 36%!!! Good thing he has a good Mommy that's up on what he'll need to succeed!

C.W. Post is an excellent school, I was going to do my Masters there! But, decided on doing it somewhere else! I work at Hofstra! (Not too far from Post)

Gill

[^KK^ 3]

Does anyone have to deal with a competitive environment at work? If so, how do you deal with it without being unethical? Just a question to through out there.

Edited September 12, 2007 by kkholiday2006

[SupportOAFJF 0]

I need not say no more, these things I aprreciate as well..

Yu see mi...I have no qualms to let them know that foreign not easy. My husband knows how hard I had to work before I finally finished my Bachelor's and even now. I make sure that our family know that if life was a little easier in Jamaica, I would totally come back home, because the QUALITY of life is much better!

I'm curious as to why you think this? Is it the slower pace of things? The friendly people? How do you define "quality of life"? I see how many of Tony's family and friends live down in JA and I could never live that way. I'm just curious.

The income disparity in Jamaica is quite apparent and I would have to say that I may be biased in that I had a privileged up-bringing. What I am alluding to, is the family time; the time for relaxation, not being swept up in the rat race as it is here. The sense of community that you will find in Jamaica, that seems to be lacking in many US cities. If you know your neighbour having it hard, you know when you go country and you get food products from your family in the country, you come and share it with your neighbour. Over the past decade, Jamaica's economy has been on a steady decline and I can only hope that the new government may be able to turn things around. I can tell you, as more opportunities are available in Jamaica, much of the "diaspora" will return to the island, because the way of life is much better than it is here.

[nyseness 0]

No seriously Kimmy I won't buy much we are on a tight budget. My mom goes crazy over this stuff and will buy almost everything for me. She loves this second hand shop we have up here in Naperville clothes are around a buck a piece. She bought a lot for my niece but I think our baby will get more spoiled by her. The reasoning is my niece has 5 grandmas so my mother doesn't need to get a lot of items. Right now all I am thinking we need is a crib, a baby sling, 10 onesies, 7 sleepers, 5 pairs of socks, car seat, 5 bottles, 1 new born hat, digital thermometer, baby nail clipper, 5 blankets, gentle baby wash, disposable wipes, and lots of diapers. I guess my list is long but I think this is all we need for the start. My girlfriends later on want to hold a shower for me but I am so not into showers. We will see when the time comes. What do you think are the basics you need to have?

2 receiving blankets

stroller

baby bathtub

2 -3 4 oz bottles

burp cloths

changing mat

2 pacifiers (optional!)

3-4 hats

scratch mitts

5 baby vests

cotton wool

vaseline

baby bag with travel size changing mat, wipes

baby shampoo

swaddler (VERY good for soothing your newborn)

just make sure u wash ur second hand stuff...

Only 2 blankets... we'll see

I used A&D ointment for everything ...i mean everything

I liked the new mom survival kits

I tell yah..I never ever used a changing mat

if ur going to use a pacifier..get the soothies brand..love it..shaped like the bottle and it doesn't trap air..i was able to get my daughter off of it by 6mths

Baby sling I used quite often..more often than a stroller

Think about getting more onesies, more socks and hats..and plenty of wash cloths

It's also nice if u invest in a convertable crib

I will wash it LOL!! The place my mother approves of and she is a germ freak. So its okay and not dirty at all. Thanks for all the help guys. I am a little overwhelemed. No wishing I would of waited a little longer for all this.

Everything is so adding up. OH MY!!

Jax having a child can be very expensive but it's will be ok. Sometimes when I look back I don't know how I possibly managed w/no or little earnings but w/the grace of God he made it work. Start shopping from now a little here and a little there.

[*JG* 2]

Does anyone have to deal with a competitive environment at work? If so, how do you deal with it without being unethical? Just a question to through out there.

I think you are going to have to elaborate just a bit on this one, KK, for me to form an answer.

[*JG* 2]

Gil,

Agree with you on the 2nd language, my son's preschool taught swahli (sp) from age 2 but I would have preferred Spanish even Mandarin. My zone school had passing rates of 36% on the third grade tests and the so called gifted school had rates of 60% this number included the gifted program and regular program.and I was supposed to send my son there? I was also born in the u.k. and came over here when I was seven and was super board in 2nd grade because it was stuff I had seen already.

I went to c.w. post

I will argue for the gifted program a bit. As a child, I went through the gifted program and I had nothing but positive experiences becasue of that. Again, it depends on who administers said program.

My children attended a private Catholic School from Kindergarten till the year before last. Since our church is 85% Spanish speaking, Spanish is included in each grade.

[JA Tam 7]

Lord, why them tropical depression a try mi: TD# 8: http://weather.sun-sentinel.com/tropical/t...00708_5day.html

[^KK^ 3]

Does anyone have to deal with a competitive environment at work? If so, how do you deal with it without being unethical? Just a question to through out there.

I think you are going to have to elaborate just a bit on this one, KK, for me to form an answer.

LOL. I guess I'll describe my situation. I'm working with a team where I'm new fairly too. Well, I had to listen for an hour about a former team member that wanted to be the "STAR." And how she would try to give her suggestions all the time. Well, I'm seeing it from another light. It doesn't seem like the old team member was the only fault. I've had conversations with the team on what should be done and was shut down. One team member call manager and manager says same thing I said. Then she just disregarded that I said anything. I'm very technical and can quote standards (Policies and Procedures) and not to say I know everything..but I have something to offer. If I don't know something, I'm going to research the heck out of it. So far several ocassions has past where I put my two cents in and got robbed. LOL. Now, I'm really in the mood to just speak my mind and not in a polite way.

[*JG* 2]

Lord, why them tropical depression a try mi: TD# 8: http://weather.sun-sentinel.com/tropical/t...00708_5day.html

It's still pretty early on this one. No one is predicting any real path towards JA yet. Fingers crossed!

[*JG* 2]

Does anyone have to deal with a competitive environment at work? If so, how do you deal with it without being unethical? Just a question to through out there.

I think you are going to have to elaborate just a bit on this one, KK, for me to form an answer.

LOL. I guess I'll describe my situation. I'm working with a team where I'm new fairly too. Well, I had to listen for an hour about a former team member that wanted to be the "STAR." And how she would try to give her suggestions all the time. Well, I'm seeing it from another light. It doesn't seem like the old team member was the only fault. I've had conversations with the team on what should be done and was shut down. One team member call manager and manager says same thing I said. Then she just disregarded that I said anything. I'm very technical and can quote standards (Policies and Procedures) and not to say I know everything..but I have something to offer. If I don't know something, I'm going to research the heck out of it. So far several ocassions has past where I put my two cents in and got robbed. LOL. Now, I'm really in the mood to just speak my mind and not in a polite way.

How new are you to the team? To the company? Maybe you just have to wait out that period of time where you all get to know each other better and learn to appreciate what everyone has to offer.

I love when someone comes in, knowing important things already; but not running all over everyone. I always step back and see how they interact before I accept them fully. I've had so many new people come in and take over, only to crash and burn later, leaving me to pick up the pieces. Thus, the reason I am cautious. Could it be something like that?