The “I Have It All” Mindset

Today’s brief post is brought to you by the WordPress writing prompt of the day which asks “What does “having it all” mean to you? Is it attainable?” Ever so often I answer these daily writing prompts to stretch the not-so-old writing fingers and my imagination. You see, these days I’m not exploring as much as I’d like. I’ve dedicated the first half of 2023 to long term projects, such as writing the first step of exams for my internal medicine residency so you may have noticed that my posts have become mostly lifestyle related instead of travel-themed. Fret not, as I’ll be out exploring in the latter half of the year and sharing those adventures but until then, these prompts keep my blog alive. With that said, today let’s answer this philosophical question.

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Top 8 Brunch Spots in Kingston, Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica is known for its rich culture, vibrant music scene and delectable cuisine. One third of Jamaica’s population (roughly one million people) call Kingston home, so you can bet there are lots of entertainment options, and even free activities to check out in the city. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, one of the best ways to start your day in Kingston is with a delicious brunch at one of the city’s top restaurants. Here are eight of the best spots in Kingston for a mouth-watering brunch experience in 2023.

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A Jamaican Year: Measured by Fruit Seasons

For today’s WordPress prompt, I’ve been asked to list my top five favourite fruits. This is a difficult selection to make as I love fruits, and here in Jamaica we are blessed with dozens of seasonal tropical fruits. In fact, the year to a Jamaican is divided by seasons– fruit seasons. We begin the year with Otaheite apples, followed by mango season then lychee and guinep season and finally June plum, hog plum, cherry, naseberry and sweetsop season. Some fruit trees bear multiple times a year like oranges, bananas and ackee, one of the world’s most poisonous fruits, which is a Jamaican delicacy and forms half of the National Dish. After much deliberation, these are my top five.

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How to Explore Jamaica With Limited Mobility

The beautiful Caribbean island of Jamaica is known for its stunning beaches, vibrant culture and friendly people. However, for those with limited mobility, exploring this tropical paradise can be a big challenge. It’s not something I thought much about until a reader asked me this question last year, and I promised to do some research and answer her question properly. I was happy to learn that there are many Jamaican hotels, attractions and transport companies which cater to the physically disabled, making it possible for everyone to enjoy Jamaica! In fact, Jamaica is listed as one of the most wheelchair accessible Caribbean islands. With that said, here’s how to explore Jamaica with limited mobility.

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Five Medical Discoveries Jamaica Has Shared With The World

My island home of Jamaica ranks #155 on this list of countries compared by size in square miles, yet has managed to have an indelible global impact. In Jamaica, we say “wi likkle but we tallawah.” This means that we’re small in size but pack a punch, and that we do! Jamaica dominates in athletics, having produced the world’s fastest man and woman alive. Jamaica has produced one religion, four Miss World pageant winners, six genres of music and some of the world’s most highly sought after coffee beans. This tiny island has also had a major impact on the United Nations, most notably in matters of human rights, gender equality, the struggle against Apartheid, economics, the environment and combating the illegal drug trade. However, what’s not so well known is that Jamaican doctors and scientists have also made global contributions to the practice of medicine. In this article, I’ll share five Jamaican contributions to science and medicine.

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8 Reasons Why Christmas Is My Favourite Holiday

Christmas is my favourite holiday. It’s hot all year round in Jamaica, but this time of year is the coolest as trade winds from up North blow across the Greater Antilles and give us a slight taste of winter. The beautiful scarlet red poinsettias are in full bloom, and all my favourite foods are cooked and sold in abundance. The religious significance of the holiday is not lost on me either. I was raised with a Christian background, and live my life guided by these principles. Thus, it’s important that Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and saviour. With that said, here are eight reasons why Christmas in Jamaica is my favourite holiday.

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Will ChatGPT and AI Replace Bloggers?

Last month, a friend jokingly told me that blogging and copywriting are obsolete. He’s a software engineer so his stance wasn’t surprising. There is growing global concern that artificial intelligence (AI) will replace millions of jobs in professions such as office administration, law, architecture, engineering, finance, management, sales, healthcare, art and design over the next decade. This year, the latest version of ChatGPT passed the US medical licensing exam with flying colours. Experienced doctors may be pushed aside by sophisticated robots that can perform delicate surgeries more precisely and read x-rays more accurately than a human eye can. With that said, it seems both my jobs are in jeopardy, huh? However, here’s why I’m not worried. At least, not yet.

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How to Use Social Media Positively

Social media often gets a bad rap, and with good reason. When used incorrectly, social media can promote negative behaviours such as body dysmorphia, eating disorders, selfishness, low self esteem, peer pressure and unrealistic views on life, appearance and identity. However, when used correctly, social media can be a good thing. Social media keeps us in touch with friends and family. Social media can serve as entertainment; I know I look forward to the memes shared daily among my friends and I. Social media can keep us abreast of current events, and teach us new things. Above all, social media can assist with personal branding and networking. I’ve met dozens of lovely people on social media– several of whom have become good friends!

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5 Fun Things to Do in Portmore, Jamaica

Portmore is a large urban town located on Jamaica’s southeastern coast in St. Catherine. Much of Portmore is built on reclaimed swamp to offset the overpopulation and housing challenges of Kingston. Over time, Portmore has grown from merely a low-budget housing solution for Kingston’s working class to achieving municipality status in 2003. One day, it may even become Jamaica’s fifteenth parish! For that reason, shrewd investors have brought malls, restaurants, hotels, bed and breakfasts and entertainment activities to Portmore– rewriting Portmore’s history from dormitory town to promising metropolis. Today, let’s highlight five fun things to do in Portmore, Jamaica. While not marketed as a tourist destination, Portmore’s rapid growth may change that one day!

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Top 7 Things to Do in Las Vegas When It’s Hot

It is easy to forget that Las Vegas is in the middle of the Nevada desert until you see the sand and mountains on the city’s outskirts. The dry, hot desert environment means you will probably want to stay inside or find ways to cool off outside. Fortunately, different activities can let you do both. Below are the top seven things to do in Las Vegas when it is hot.

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