Road Trip JA

Hey guys,

I hope you are having a wonderful time wherever you are in the world. So this post is basically a photo haul where I will be sharing my travel experiences around my homeland of Jamaica with you. This year I actually realized that I haven't traversed my fair island often enough. There are so many amazing wonders and places that I've missed but I'm definitely willing to catch up and surround myself in the richness of it all. Today's journey takes us to the beautiful parish of Portland. Portland is one of my absolute favourite parishes, it actually only comes second to Kingston my home. It's unmarred setting is just the scenic view needed to refresh your mind, body and spirit. The vibrancy of the richest blues, the golden sun and ashen brown of the fine but magnificent sand takes my breath away with each trip. 

I was fortunate enough to venture off into this amazing parish with my friends and land at Boston Beach. Located approximately 9 miles from the parish capital Port Antonio, Boston beach is a costal community on the northern part of Jamaica. The public beach is one of country's favourite waterfront chill spots that has even attracted a few surfers(actually one of the few beaches in Jamaica that attracts surfers). Equipped with an amazing scenery, a diving cliff, hammocks for relaxing and their infamous jerk delicacies YUM!!!!

I definitely had an amazing time with my friends. Oh and before I forget the beach is opened all week. Mondays to Thursdays from 1pm-5pm and Fridays to Sundays 9am- 5pm are the official times, but I've found that in the summer it will close a little later at 6pm because the sun is still up. I would DEFINITELY recommend a trip. You will not regret it!!!!

A special thanks to Domz and Sheree (Sheree a la mode) for taking many of these amazing photographs.

To see the pictures a little bigger just click on the picture and it will enlarge. I got a little carried away with the photo editing but don't worry, I'll get the hang of this thing. I promise.

Much Love,

Nella

Figuring it out as I go along

This isn't a true confession as those that I normally write on Sundays but rather an introspection into my life, my purpose, my true desires, finding my path and figuring out who I am destined to be and stop living in the moment of who I used to be.

I'm not sure how many persons believe that today would be the end of the world and hey it might just be but since it's December 22nd in the Eastern parts of the world already, I think we may be safe. However, I began to think "what if?". "What if today really was the end of the world?" Would I be happy with how I've left it? And the answer is more than likely a resounding 'No'. I am happy for the blessings that I do have in my life. I'm happy for my family, friends, a wonderful relationship, for pursuing my dream career and so many other great achievements that I've slowly but surely accomplished in my life. 

But I believe the reason why I would still be dissatisfied with my life is that I'm still figuring out who I am and what my purpose is. I'm on a journey and each series of events is a new story to tell future generations. I continuously seek out my passions, acknowledge my vices and making up the in between as I go along. 

Life is a journey. A book. An adventure. And I'm slowly trying to recapture my flailing spirit. Overcoming the  feelings of lacking and boredom. Reuniting with the zany, random, spirited and fun young woman I once was.  I've lost some of my gumption on the way but I'm still fighting for the right to shine forth into the light.

In this journey, all we have are our dreams, goals, freedom of pursuit and happiness. Be thankful for what you have but still not satisfied until you reach your ultimate self in life. 

Enjoy the journey :)

Much Love,

Nella

It's the season of giving

Look around the social media scope and what do you see? What do you hear? What do you feel? If you're an avid social media user like many of us 21st century people, then you would've noticed the many opportunities to win prizes and get friends to win prizes this Christmas holiday. After all it is the season of giving and major commercial companies have to remedy to get you even more interested in their products and brands.

But allow me to introduce you to something else, Monique Kennedy, a fellow Jamaican and Award-winning fashion and lifestyle blogger at Mrkologie, graphic designer and aspiring image consultant has partnered with the Salvation Army to host a fundraiser this Sunday, December 23, 2012 at Market on the Lawn at Devon House, Kingston, Jamaica. 

This fundraiser comes in the form of a Raffle and Clothing Drive Fundraiser in which part proceeds go to benefit the Salvation Army. The event is also sponsored by some local fashion designers who have donated items that will serve as prizes for the winners of the raffle. The designers are White Skyy, Reve Jewelry & Accessories, Tarik & Tif and Yaad Trendz. A style profile of the designers and updates on the project can be found on the Mrkologie site. 

The public is invited to be a part of the splendid affair of fashion and charity. And I implore yoy all to do your part to help this initiative. Remember this is the season of giving and this is a great way to do it and show support of our local talents and organizations. Come on guys, let's do this!!!!

Check out the video promo: here

Happy Days!!!!

Much Love,

Nella

Poetry Wednesdays

I absolutely love writing poetry. It's one of the best ways that I know how to express myself, along with dancing. Being as closed off as I am sometimes the spoken word evades me and I'm left with a flood of unspoken lingual exchanges and a deep need to be released. I think, therefore I write. This is what keeps me passionate and captivated. This is what keeps me smiling and thoughtful. 

Read the poem, follow the blog and leave a comment. Spread the word and tell your friends! The journey with me is sure to be amazing!!!!

Therefore, without further ado..........from my mind  to your eyes............I introduce to you my latest poem:

Flower Child

by: Ornella Green

Releasing my inner gypsy

Flower child, Minx, and Imp

Finding all my flaws and imperfections to love

Nurturing my roaming spirit

Let's dance in the rain

Soaking away our trembling fears

Whispering our darkest desires

Take a taste of the eternal flame of desire

Drenched in the inferno of truth

Whereforth, lies my inner beast

Inner demons,

Subliminal sins,

Whereforth, 

My inhibitions escape

Briskly into the night

Shining on the dampened sky

The sun smiles at me in the newness of the air

Combating with the shadows for full control of my being

Where are my ruby red slippers?

My yellow brick road?

Find my tin man a heart

Give courage to the lion 

And a brain to the scarecrow

Dare I dream of going home

To my ladled bed of love and pleasure 

To discover the armoured knight

Awaiting my presence

Weekly Inspiration

Hey All,

I am someone who thrives on motivation, inspiration and learning to enjoy life's little moments. And one of my aims with this blog is to inspire others to be comfortable with who they are, seek inspiration in the world and to go confidently in the direction of that which excites them. I want to represent a symbol and a beacon showing that dreaming big and staying true to who you are is the best remedy for happiness, success and a wonderful life. This is the manifestation of my inspiration this week. It focuses on a few of that which I hold nearest and dearest to my heart.

1. Dreams

Our dreams are only limited by our imagination. Open your eyes and seek dreams in all around you. It's the little things that separate us from the withered.

2. Love

The heart is the greatest muscle in the human body. Not only does it pump the blood to supply our body with it's needs, it's the heartbeat that keeps us alive. It's capacity to love is never-ending and it's strength daunting.

3. Fashion

 Be a fashion icon in your own sense everyday you walk on this earth. Let it reflect your personality, your passions, what inspires you, and what motivates your everlasting spirit.

4. Positivity

Research has showed that the happiest people in the world have a few things in common: 1. Gratitude and 2. Positive Attitude. Your mind and thoughts reflect and transforms into the life you live. Whether things are good or bad, always look for the bright spark in the dim light and that will be your path to true happiness.

5. Adventure

Life often comes in the way of our accomplishing our heart's desire. We become consumed by fear and forget that the world is bigger than our doorstep. Do not become a victim of time but rather revel in the beauty of it's continuity. Seek to live, laugh, learn and love each day.

The world is like a book and not travelling is only reading one page. Fear is what separates us from what we can do and what we do do. We are far greater that we give ourselves credit for.

Our reality is a product of our dreams, decisions, thoughts and actions. Are you ready to live today?

Much Love,

Nella

NOMINATE ME FOR A BLOG AWARD!!!

Hey everyone,

A pleasant good morning to you all. I hope you're having a wonderful day.

Well people I've got some news for you............ the Jamaica Blog awards are back and ready for action. As you can see from my posts earlier this year. As Told By Nella (ATBN) was naominated and placed in the top 5 in the Best Lifestyle Blog and Best Personal Blog categories and I couldn't have made it possible without you. And I'm gonna need your support again. It's been a great year and the direction of the blog has changed a bit so let's go out with a bang and better our previous results of 5th and 3rd this year.

Please Nominate AS TOLD BY NELLA for BEST PERSONAL BLOG. It really doesn't matter where you are from. It's really simple to do! So nominate and look out for voting details.

Nominate As Told By Nella for BEST PERSONAL blog. Just click this link: http://jamaicablogawards.org/

"Click Nominate"

Then enter the details asked for.

The url for this blog is: http://as-told-by-nella.blogspot.com

See it's that simple. Looking forward to your support. 

Much Love, 

Nella

Lonely Heart Confessions- I can forgive

How many times in my happiness have I waited for the other shoe to drop to signal the end of my happiness? That the ones I love tend to leave me behind and I end up nursing a broken heart that seems to take indefinite amount of time to heal. That I’ve rarely had a moment in time when all the stars were aligned and everything in my life was going great. I’m always on the lookout for the bad in the good. It’s a constant fear that stalks me and keeps me guarded, uptight and subdued. Much unlike myself the free spirit whose only desire is to enjoy all that life has to offer and to achieve true happiness. Depression and disappointment at the forefront of my mind rather than gratitude and blessings.

How afraid was I truly to love? And worse yet to love and lose. How I often think ignorance is bliss rather than to lose the person you whole heartedly love. Letting this fear consume me and rather than make a life-changing risk in love. Not knowing how to deal with all the emotions I feel. Keeping others at a distance and shutting them out even those I know will always be here. I accept and forgive. I forgive myself. My senses that I so quickly disregard and find excuses. Convincing myself rather than believing my heart. Seeing the signs but not wanting to accept the direction it was taking me in or the journey I would end on. I forgive myself for not following my primal instincts and not knowing what to do to make things turn out different. 

I forgive myself for my heart palpitations and the fact that it still skips a beat every time I see his name, face or picture. For constantly being consumed by images of fear. Fear that he too shall one day depart like all others. I forgive myself for sometimes ignoring his words of commitment and taking it half-heartedly. For knowing he is serious but still being a little guarded. I forgive myself for thinking my heart as being fragile and not knowing and realizing it's true strength. I forgive myself for my flaws and failures. For not remembering my capacity to love openly, selflessly and beautifully. For forgetting my other dimensions of me that are lost in translation.  For needing reminders to be calm and enjoy the little things and knowing that sometimes ‘it’s not the destination but the journey’.

I now understand the philosophy of embracing life and all its possibilities rather than being the neurotic planner and control freak I tend to be. I understand that sometimes we need to just go with the flow and to enjoy the moments. Because while I’m spending my time planning and dreaming, life happens. Life happens to us whether we are sleeping or awake. Yes it happens to us! 

So I look back on all the failures and flaws and smile. I look on all my memories with family and friends and smile. Smile at the captured moments in time etched in my titanium vault of joy.  Memories that I can call on anytime. And I thank them for their love and for accepting mine. Our distances may be divided but our hearts are forever entwined in a spiritual dance. A dance that’s a reminder that we loved and we still love throughout time.

The first part of every journey begins with forgiveness. Letting go of what was and looking towards what can be. I begin my journey to fearlessness with this first step. How will you make the journey?

Much Love, 

Nella