Mastering UTube Technology!

Some days it is the small things that can make our day! So please let this momentous occasion be noted...I downloaded a U-Tube video onto my PC. It was not the best quality but after viewing several tutorials there was only one that was simple enough and clear enough for me to follow! You know what this means? I will be free to subject my viewers to my interests. lol

 

This weekend Gail Nealon, a board member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of St. Croix and I will be facilitating a workshop entitled, What It Means to Be a Unitarian Universalist. This is workshop that provides an overview for newbies and those that simply want a review on Unitarian Universalism. This is the perfect video to show although it is six years old. It depicts a number of lay and clergy talking about what Unitarian Universalism means to them and why they are UUs.

Here are some other videos that I think are helpful in understanding Unitarian Universalism.

 

This second video shares aspects of Unitarian Universalism through song and is based on an essay by James Luther Adams, one of the pre-imminent UU theologians. The essay is titled, Guiding Principles of a Free Faith and is referred to as the Five Smooth Stones. The singing is not great but it combines the beauty of nature and music to convey simple truths about Unitarian Universalism.

 

 

Unlike most U Tube videos this last video in my post is rather lengthy. It is 25 minutes but for those of you that really want an in depth presentation of UUism this is a good start. The speaker does not start from early Unitarianism in Europe but begins with the colonial experience. For that you might want to check out a new six part film series detailing the history of Unitarian and Universalist thought from the beginning of the Christian era to present times.

 

Until next time I bid you blessings and farewell!

Rev. Qiyamah 

MUSIC TO SOOTHE THE SOUL

Today I watched my first movie on my PC without it buffering after switching over to VI Broadband. I am elated and feeling ready to take on some challenges and to blog more. Below are some examples of the wonderful music and dances indigenous to St. Croix that I have discovered. Enjoy!Qiyamah

 

 

 

 

Bamboula Dancing







Quelbe Music

"Jamaica defines itself with Reggae. Bachata fires the Santo-Domingan's soul, and Calypso is synonymous with Trinidad & Tobago. World, take notice of this musical expression: Quelbe of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Quelbe is a synthesis of Africa and Europe in the Virgin Islands expressed through music and shaped by the social conditions in the 18th and 19th centuries. "Enslaved Black people were denied their own music and dance so they adopted the styles of their masters and added their own elements. This fushion led to the creation of a sound known today as Quelbe. Quelbe, pronounced 'kwail-bay,' comes from bamboula rhythms and chants, cariso songs and melodies, mixed with old European military fife and drum bands. Quelbe instruments were homemade flutes, bass drums and European made snare drums, somtimes with percussion. Eventually guitars, triangles, tambourines, and a squash - a dried gourd with serrated sides that is scraped with a wire pong, were added. Dancers, adapted the structure of European quadrilles and Quelbe was born. "Today, more instruments have been added, like the 'pipe,' a cylindrical metal tube, sometimes the exhaust pipe from a car, that is bent at both ends and blown. A small banjo and European-made pomp-flute can be part of the ensemble. The alto saxophone was introduced in the late sixties and has practically replaced the flute as lead instrument. In the seventies, the electric bass guitar added a modern and sophiticated sound, and drums made a re-entry as modern conga drums. "In 2003, the 25th Legislature of the Virgin Islands passed Bill No. 25-0056 to designate Quelbe as the official music of the Virgin Islands. It was signed into law by Governor Charles W. Turnbull at an elaborate ceremony at Government House on St. Croix. The law requires that Quelbe be taught in the public schools. (Adapted from a story by Dimiti Copemann and Senator Shawn Michael Malone that appeared in Destination/USVI 2005)." - See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1726205/gotta-love-the-quelbe-music-of-st-croix#sthash.MPB8W79U.dpuf
Excerpted from: Gotta Love the Quelbe Music of St Croix   By Kim Lucas                                      

Real Estate Agent with USVI Sotheby's International Realty

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July 03, 2010 05:42 PM

- See more at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/1726205/gotta-love-the-quelbe-music-of-st-croix#sthash.MPB8W79U.dpuf

FAMILY TIME!

My daughter, Kaleema and I have enjoyed having the presence of one another as the only family members to one another as we have settled into our new life here on St. Croix. Recently it has been wonderful to have family members to visit us here on St. Croix. First, Kaleema came to visit me and ended up with a job offer and decided to  stay. My second guest was my sister, BJ whose visit I cherish. See the chronicle of events below.

 

Kaleema Al-Nur at Dorsch Beach in Frederiksted enjoying a sunset. 

 

It all happens out of this magical place called home! I have loved this little place since day one. Notice how close I am to the beach and ocean. The size is perfect, two bedrooms. And while I would love another bathroom it works and the price is right!

L-R Qiyamah and BJ at Pt. Udall  

 

My daughter in law - Michelle watching the children's parade in Frederiksted!

 

 

L-R Qiyamah, Muhammad (holding Malia) and Michelle. We call this our paparazzi picture! The Rahman's vacationing in St. Croix with their celebrity mom! lol

 

 

L-R Muhammad, Malia and Michelle at Rainbow Beach.

 

L-R Malia and Qiyamah AKA Nana Key mama

 

 

Are you sure this is safe!

 

Don't try this at home without supervision and a strong dad to catch you if you fall!

 

L-R Kaleema, Qiyamah and Malia

 

 
 
L-R Kaleema, Qiyamah, Muhammad and Malia

 

L-R Kaleema, Qiyamah, Muhammad and Malia

 

L-R Muhammad, Malia and Michelle

 

 

 

L-R Muhammad, Malia and Michelle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARNIVAL TIME IN ST. CROIX

One of the many fascinating aspects of life on St. Croix is the Crucian Christmas Carnival. The Crucian Christmas Carnival is a long standing tradition dating back to the early 1800s when enslaved Africans were allowed to celebrate Christmas and New Years.

Unfortunately, my first year on Island in 2012 I missed most of the day time activities because I was working. This year, Christmas Carnival coincided with a visit from my son, Muhammad, my daughter in law, Michelle and my newest grandbaby, Malia and so I took leave from work to spend time with them and I was able to experience Carnival. Yesterday began our first parade and attended the Food Festival that featured great cuisine, music and the local dancing called quadrille. It is a form of square dance and waltz dating back to slavery. The slaves adapted the slave owners dance style and added their own expression that is called quadrille.

Today we watched the children's parade. Tomorrow we will walk up the street and sit and stand in my friends yard to view the adults parade. We also have spent time at Cane Bay Beach where we had delicious rum cake at Eats. Because of the overcast conditions the sunset was non-existent that particular night. However, Rainbow Beach today was a wonderful beach day and Malia and I sat and read and dozed and ate and had a grand time while the others frolicked in the water.

The Island is alive with so much activity during Carnival that some individuals make it an annual tradition and return year after year. I hope my family and friends decide to do so.

See you at Carnival! I hope you enjoy some of the pictures and videos depicting the Children's Parade.
Qiyamah