I was in aww once when we had the drummer from third world come and play with the saxophone player of Ziggy Marley and then the bass player and Key board player of Maxi Priest. And Christopher Brich came from the High school I taught at and he really didn't have shoes true story ha. Many of the famous musicians behind the singers come from the school in MoBay I taught at.

Maxi Priest I don't go gaga over all them any more. I went back stage after they played at the house of blues. They are all my good friends thats it. I guess once you work music down there u met tons of them. Many of my past students now play for famous singers. My Hubby would of went on tour but his artist got caught with copyright infringement.

Hanging out in a recording studio in MoBay boring. So small not like here in the USA. I study the recording studio for 2 years so I understand the mixing and patch bay systems.


Gyptian though is really good.

I was thinking what the heck when I was away for one day. Very good generalization it!

Wow now I am rethinking about getting pregant as soon as hubby arrives. I don't know if i can deal with new emotions. As woman myself I am hormonal enough

But we just can't wait to have a crazy one of us running around. Sounds like my life will be changing a lot when he gets here next month and to have a kid right away my free time looks like it may go poof.

I think getting married in JA was the best and my parents, friends, and some aunts and uncles got to met him all at once and spend a week with us. They all loved him. My mom asked if he had a serious side because he is always trying to be funny. I told her yes behind close doors just like u and dad with serious conversation. My dad and him get along great it is really scary. I am just sad my little brother was in Indonesia and didn't get to met him yet. I told him this isn't my whole family yet he said what. He has about 100 more members to met he thinks its crazy I come from a big family. He said he can't wait to met the other interracial couple in our family. Our family has many wonderful cultures African American, Chinese, Hispanic, Japanese and now Jamaican. I guess thats why it was very easy with my family

Mindy

Congrats Jodie

O.K. Just finished the million pages in the past couple days.

My husband got his medical for this Wed. coming up. He is finally ready to come up and be with his wife. He has gone back and forth if we should live here or there. I could teach music at a High School or a College. But I think he is ready to try it here for a few years. My professor wrote me and said lets see what we can do to get his college all paid for to go to Elmhurst College. So we will see in a year after the GED is complete.

Does anyone have an interview in April? Or are we the next ones?

Question do u have to get the Visa air packed or can he drive back to the Embassy and pick it up?

Yippee now I am on Easter break for four days. I just found out that summer school is only the month of June so hubby and I will have all of July and some of August together. Plus I get off at 1pm each day.

Stephen was here a few weeks ago for his CD release party. My friends said he only sang 2-3 songs. He's coming back in May to do a regular concert, I hope. Damien is performing with him. I'll see them at the Sumfest.

For now I only want to see Richie Spice on April 21st....can't wait

I love Gyptian!!! I have his CD. You can also see the video for Beautiful Lady on thiswebsite.




I love Gyptian!!! I have his CD. You can also see the video for Beautiful Lady on thiswebsite.

I like him too. But isn't he still in jail serving time for rape??? I think he has several more years to go.

Hey Jill!!!

Never mind my sister just told me he's suppose to get released this July.

Well Iffeisha brought a bridesmaid dress for about $80.00. The wedding ceremony was $25.00 at the courthouse. I had a suit already. My daughters dress cost about $45.00 , we had dinner at my college that is a culinary school with a restaurant. There were about 6 persons there. The school waived the charge , but the lunch special was about $10.00 pr person. Misc expenses made up the rest.

We figured that the piece of paper to mail to USCIS saying we were marraid was what we needed. Did not want to spend a fortune when we knew we could not get what we wanted in such a short time. We are going to Jamaica for Christmas and having a reception there for all her family and friends. We also have a church blessing arranged.

Our life together is what is important. Travelling, going to school, getting a new car and preparing for the cold weather were her focus when she came here.
After you spend all that money on travel back and forth to Jamaica and the whole visa process and knowing the cost of the I-485 and the workpermit, we just did what we had to do to get this whole immigration thing behind us for now. Besides, we are stillon our honeymoon and will be for years to come.

I guess most of your Jamaican hubbies would share with you the stories of a true Caribbean Carnival. For any of you who never experienced the Mardi gras like festivities in Jamaica, there are a lot of US cities that do have caribbean Carnivals where you get the chance to really let yourself lose. You know how Caribbean people can party.

So now that I have all these friends (am I so bold to use that word now?) across the US, I hope I can get the chance to meet some of you when I visit some of these cities this summer for Carnival. I am normally in Boston, Philly, Delaware, New York, Atlanta and Miami. I am hoping to add maybe 2 more cities this year so I can give that new car of mine some mileage. Does anyone live in a city that has an exciting Caribbean Carnival and plan to go this year? Don't worry, I am not going to be hitting anyone up for accomadation. I usually stay in a hotel.

Let me know when you will be in Boston. Would love to meet you and your wife.

Definitely. Boston Carnival has always been one of my favorites. Long drive from Baltimore but well worth it.

When is it anyway? I always miss it and it would be great to plan for it. Nice surprise for hubby.

It is always the last saturday in August, right befor Brooklyn's carnival. Carnivals are always held the same time every year. DC is the last sat in June, New york is on Labor Day weekend, Baltimore has 2. One is the weekend after new York and the other id the 2nd Sat in August. If the date changes for Boston, i willlet you know. But for now, just plan for the last Saturday in August.

Do you know the dates? We may go to the one in Delaware and NY. The DC carnival is June 23-24...my bellydancing class (including myself ) will be in it. Let me know if you come out...we would love to meet you and your wife. Do you have Baltimore dates?

Clarifying. You know a couple years ago the people who organize Baltimore Carnival had a big falling out. So the group split and formed two association and hence Baltimore has 2 carnivals. The first one this year is July 13-15th. The parade is on Sat 14th 2007. The other is September 9th 2007. I do not normally go to the one in September because after Boston and New York, I normally do not have enough energy. Besides I like carnival when it is hot and sunny, not in September when we sometimes get an early chill here in Baltimore. Jumping half naked in the streets is better when it is hot.

We are definitely going to be in DC. Just so you know, I play with the mud band every year. I am not into the pretty mass in DC. The mud band has the most fun and all my friends are in the mud band. You should really give it a try. I know the whole idea of putting mud on your skin and jumping in the street may not sit well with you. Iffeisha is not keen about it either. But I did this since my days of living in Trinidad and I could not think of playing mas in DC any other way. I try to play with the mud bands in cities where they are allowed. My wife and I enjoyed jamaican carnival for the first time together last year in Kingston and she normlly sees me as a stiff jacket always business like. After that experienc she no longer has that perception. Calypso music has an effect on me that is hard to explain.

Wow, didn't know you were in Baltimore, I'll be moving to Washington area!! Maybe your wife can be my new best friend

I know many Jamaican spending easter in the uS for the first time are a little surprised how low key this holiday is for most Americans. My wife was surprised that she had classes at the University today since it was good Friday. Jamaicans have a long weekend for Easter and Good Friday. The holiday starts today and does not end till Tuesday. My employers closed business for Good Friday for the first time this year, but it is almost like MLK birthday where it's like a floating holiday for most people. It would have been like my first day off in a long time and would have loved to spend it with her. I almost thought she would have cried when she had to go to school today. Especially since we had 80 degree weather last week snd wend down to 27 last ight. How are your Jamaican hubbies coping with being away from home for Easter?

Roy doesn't think he has to go to school on Monday 'cause it's Easter Monday.....just like last year, I am having a hard time explaining it to him He already ate his "bun" so I need to go buy another one....no plans -- he is working both jobs all weekend.....

My has been very quiet but he is use to it spending so many away working on the ship. I did surprise him with Easter bun, cheese, patties, bammy, salt fish and some other things I has shipped from the Caribbean Market.
I am baking a small ham for my mother and me and roasting chicken for him on Sunday.

We really like lamb so I might make that on Sunday......very low key.....

Thanks I've never seen the mud band so I'll prepare myself for it....sounds like fun.

I wish.

I m sure she would love that. She has not made too many friends in Baltimore as yet. Been so hectic with work, school and all, she has been swamped since she got here. At the rate she is going at , it looks like she would earn her 4 year US degree in 2 years. I keep telling her that the 18 credits a semester can burn her out, but she wants this degree behind her. Try 18 credits a semester and working 30 hours a week. I do not know where she finds the energy to do it. I have found myself cooking meals more often than not of late. I keep telling her she better be lucky that her husband can cook otherwise she would be eating Mc Donalds everyday. Like most of you ladies, it is a good feeling when your better half comes here and really take advantage of the opportunities. We were so lucky this semester when the green card came earlier than we anticipated. Now she gets Financial Aid and with Pell grant and SEOG she got the semester bill behind her. We had to twist some arms to get In State tuition rates at the University of Maryland cause you have to be living in the State of Maryland for a year to get In State rate. Now I am up all nights reading assignments. You know how Jamaicans write with flowery language. Must be that British Education. I keep telling her, American professors like it simple and straight to the point. She hates me chopping her papers but she smiles when she gets the A every time. I tell you, I feel like I am earning a degree again. But I figure it's a great investment. We have our eyes set on a piece of property in Jamaica where we are going to build that mansion. We need two normal pay checks to afford to build the mansion on it after we buy the land when we go home in December. So the faster she gets that degree, the happier I would be.

Damien's job is closed today..he doesn't understand why the government is open???
I don't know to many companies that close for Easter. Working all Easter weekend last year did not set well with him......

Damien is going to cook brown stew fish Sunday..he's been eating bun & cheese all week.

Is there a difference between the Easter bun and the regular bun? Taste the same to me

Easter Monday! These Jamaican and the holidays. As if good Friday was not enough. Don't worry in Trinidad they celebrate Easter Tuesday also so I know the feeling.

When you say shipped, you get to order online and they deliver? I have to drive all the way to Silver Spring to get some bammy. The oriental stores here in Baltimore call themselves Caribbean Markets. Please they only thing the have is salt fish. That is if you can get pass the smell. I had my mother in law ship me some bammy a couple weeks ago from Jamaica. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning when that box arrived.




Good, so I will keep you posted as time gets closer.

You need that white cross on ghe Easter bun for it to be authentic. There is the hot cross bun with the white cross and then there is the big loaf. I never realy noticed the difference in the year round loaf and the easter bun. But trust me, Jamaicans will swear there is a difference.

He's relaxed on the sofa enjoying his bun and cheese, watching TBN Callin every JAcian he knows in the states and at home telling them happy easter. He would normally have to work if he were in JA. now we have to get Bun and cheese for everyone we know next year He was soo happy when the kids ate it and did not turn there nose up at it. He is so very proud of anything that represent his country. His feelings were hurt once when the kids would not eat fried dumplin, they ate it after I told them it was a fried buscuit. Then realized it wasn't an attack against him or his culture.

I ordered it from Sams Caribbean Market on line. First time ordering as we have nothing close. We will have to venture out to Boston to find some markets there.




Roy eats lamb??? Hubby will only eat chicken and fish. I am soooooooooo sick of chicken and fish is so expensive.

Okay, we always buy the HTB regular bun all year around and the Easter buns every Easter but I don't notice a difference in taste. The only difference is I see is the Easter buns come in two different sizes. The Caribbean market had 8-10 different Jamaican buns. And they sell the JA cheese in smaller cans...only see that during Easter time.

Where did you get bammy from in Silver Spring?

Where's my manners.

Happy Easter to all. May you enjoy the bun and chesse, ackee and bammy in all thier glory. May this day be as meaningful for you as your Jamaican hubby because when Thanksgiving comes , they are going to be just as excited for you. And if your hubby does not realize that there is no Easter Monday and Tuesday here in the US, just think of it as the day after Thanksgiving and make him/her bun and cheese again and send them off to work.

Happy Easter to you and yours. In case I forget, Happy Easter Monday and Happy Easter Tuesday!!!!

Tell me about the fish. Found a market in Baltimore the other day that had fish from the Caribbean like King Fish and Snapper. My wife went crazy. When I got to the register and the woman said $130.00 I almost wanted to cry. But after she complained so much about th whiting fillet, I just could not deny her the fish. I told her she need to make it last real long. Suffice to say whenever I cook fish, there is some chicken at the side.

We brought back quite a bit of saltfish from Jamaica when she moved here in November. We still have a lot in the refrigerator. Salt fish is expensive here so I only get it when someone goes to Jamaica. I have a friend travelling there next month and gave her a list already. But some cabbage with salt fish is to die for. Actually anything with saltfish taste good. If you go to a Caribbean store it may be less expensive than your regular market.

She would not eat any kind of beef and I was able to get her excited about pork spare ribs. I think I have had jerk chicken almost every week for the past month. We normally get the wet jerk seasoning and rub it on a whole chicken and leave it overnight. Put it on the grill next day on low fire. Make you feel like you in Ochi when you eating it.

I agree, Trinilad, and that's beatiful. Your wife is a lucky woman, you're a lucky couple.

I was just telling a friend how I don't like soca but the worst thing about it is that when I hear it I can't stay still. Even if I refuse to dance to it, I have to move. I'm in NY, so you know about the Parkway on Labor Day!

I have a friend in VA and she is/was part of a Carribean organization there, I think they started doing a carnival. I have to find out more details.



My fiance is Rasta, so he only eats fish. He will be doing much of the cooking when he gets here.

For the past 7 yrs, we (me and my son) have been in Jamaica for Easter/Spring Break. This is our (just me and Craig--my son is in Ohio with my parents visiting my brother etc)..... our First Easter together. We're just chilling out by ourselves, since we never get much quality time together, just the 2 of us.

Living here in our area --Ellicott City, Maryland....there's nothing but a few very small South African stores, but no Jamaican food, that I have found. I'm really going to have to check out that place on-line, Sams Market ? If someone has the website address again and post it, I would appreciate it. To drive into Baltimore or out to Silver Spring....???

Have a wonderful Easter holiday everyone!!

Kelly

Its Sam's Marketplace... www.sams247.com I have bought from them many times as we have no JA stores anywhere near us. Shipping is the killer but it shouldn't be too bad for you guys who are a lot closer...I am shipping stuff across the whole country. They usually have specials on shipping or discounts around all the major holidays...next one should be Mothers day/Memorial day. I wait for the deals before I buy out the whole place

www.sams24-7.com


Roy LOVES lamb....he would eat it every meal if he could!! When he got here all he wanted (or would eat) was chicken or fish.....it took him a while to realize that it's really expensive (and hard) to get good, fresh fish.....so, mostly chicken for him now. He will eat pork and sausage (and if this counts) he LOVES Hamburger Helper that's the only "beef" he will eat and not complain about.

For those of you in the Chicago area......

I just got an e:mail -- Capleton is coming to the House of Blues on Friday, 6/15. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.

For cooked Carribean food , we go to a Restaurant downtown Baltimore at the corner of Saratoga and Light street. Best ox tails and they have patties to die for. The fresh food market in Silver Spring is off New Hampshire right after University Blvd. Head south on New Hampshire from 495 , go past University Blvd and look for the sign after the first light. Baltimore may be easier. take 695West to exit 18, Randallstown exit, get onto Liberty Road. Go through two lights. Look for the Burger King restaurant on your right. Right after Burger King there is a Carribean market that has been opened for about 3 months now. If you get to the Walgreens you've gone too far. No cooked food, but the best selecton of fresh Caribbean foods in Baltimore. If your hubby likes fish, they have everything he could want. we brought some kingfish head the other day and made some fish tea/ soup. Oh my God! The fish was so fresh and tasty. As for the snapper, to die for. My mother tells me look at the fish eyes and if they have not yet changed white then they are pretty fresh. Something to remember.

I LOVE SAMS MARKET!!!! they have really saved mike....and the last time i orderd we got a free pen....hahaha

i don't know who i need to be mad at...the post office of USCIS or maybe both.....got a e-mail this morning from the usics saying they tried to send a letter on the 3rd of April but was sent back to them from the post office....so i called...well OMG i really don't think they want you to talk to a actuall human...so ok i got a lady on the line...i explained to her what was going on and she said well are you the person who filled and i said well no my husband blah blah blah....then she said oh well i can't talk to you i need to talk to him...WTF??? i have the case number everything nope sorry i need to talk to him....so i called mike....god love him....but for whatever reason he is just a likkle slow on the up tick about these kind of things....so he calls tells them what happend...and they say they will call him within 40 days(?) and they are going to send it again....i wonder what it is and i am just so annoyed!!!

Jamaicans have a thing about beef. Most do not seem to like it. Pork , fish, chicken. No beef. My wife and I always used to get into it when we go out to eat at restaurants. Take a Jamaican to a non Caribbean restaurant and there is going to be a problem cause they are not into experimenting. So she would go over the menu forever. And I would be sitting there hungry. Now as soon as I get to the restaurant and waiting to be seated, I get the menu and have her go over it. By the time we are seated, she has picked out the fish dish. I thought she would love Olive Garden. Never again. But Red lobster and cheesecake factory are ok to deal with.

Do you guys find it a challenge when you take your hubby out to eat at a Restaurant that does not serve Caribbean food? Tell me I am not the only one who wants to pull my hair out because they canot find anything on the menu.




Jamaicans have a thing about beef. Most do not seem to like it. Pork , fish, chicken. No beef. My wife and I always used to get into it when we go out to eat at restaurants. Take a Jamaican to a non Caribbean restaurant and there is going to be a problem cause they are not into experimenting. So she would go over the menu forever. And I would be sitting there hungry. Now as soon as I get to the restaurant and waiting to be seated, I get the menu and have her go over it. By the time we are seated, she has picked out the fish dish. I thought she would love Olive Garden. Never again. But Red lobster and cheesecake factory are ok to deal with.

Do you guys find it a challenge when you take your hubby out to eat at a Restaurant that does not serve Caribbean food? Tell me I am not the only one who wants to pull my hair out because they canot find anything on the menu.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!! WE GO THROUGH IT ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chinese ok, Italian as long as they have Fetticine Alfredo, or Calzone ok...or if some place has mexican or a really spicey fish dish.....at home it is a different story....he has to go grocery shopping with me or i will buy something that i think he will like and he won't eat it....i thought he was the only pickey eater.....

For cooked Carribean food , we go to a Restaurant downtown Baltimore at the corner of Saratoga and Light street. Best ox tails and they have patties to die for. The fresh food market in Silver Spring is off New Hampshire right after University Blvd. Head south on New Hampshire from 495 , go past University Blvd and look for the sign after the first light. Baltimore may be easier. take 695West to exit 18, Randallstown exit, get onto Liberty Road. Go through two lights. Look for the Burger King restaurant on your right. Right after Burger King there is a Carribean market that has been opened for about 3 months now. If you get to the Walgreens you've gone too far. No cooked food, but the best selecton of fresh Caribbean foods in Baltimore. If your hubby likes fish, they have everything he could want. we brought some kingfish head the other day and made some fish tea/ soup. Oh my God! The fish was so fresh and tasty. As for the snapper, to die for. My mother tells me look at the fish eyes and if they have not yet changed white then they are pretty fresh. Something to remember.
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Thanks Stephen, 'preciate the info....I grew up in Randallstown, it's not to to far from me.

Craig eats EVERYTHING, well except for broccoli. That's the only food that I've found he just does not like. I mix and throw together allllll kinds of food. He loves ALL meat.

He said to me today he sometimes misses Jamaican food....like Ackee, Saltfish and dumplins righta now......but he really LOVES American food !!!

I just have to make sure there is chicken and fish being served. And no shellfish. He is alergic to that. No beef, no pork, no ricotta cheese....I make a good and easy chicken pot pie and he does not like the gravy. I make a good lasagna he doesn't like ricotta.
He does make an awesome curry chicken for me. I could eat that everyday.
I cannot wait to get the grill out but when I told him it was propane he shook his head. No wood... Okay, so I will get him a small charcoal grill to use. I like my propane. Quick and easy....