So I received my first Xmas gift and it’s from D(not sure if he wants his name on my blog). It’s a souvenir from Dominica.
I got this bright idea yesterday from him to take voice lessons because he heard me sing only to find out that it’s 80 dollars per hour. I will leave that for later when I want to splurge.
On the way to work and I am listening to Nina Simone. I may record something that she sang later. It would be guts to post it though. I like Sinner Man. It just doesn’t flow with lyrics but it’s filled with soul. Maybe I will sing the one that she did with Ray Charles, Baby It’s Cold Outside.
Anyway, the most proudest thing that I did in the past year was start a Geni Family Tree. Now I have about 800 people connected and over 270 blood relatives added to it. Yesterday I found 2 second cousins that I looked up on Facebook. The most remarkable person on it, to me, is: a woman named Elize/Eliza Phillip who died a few years ago. She lived in Dominica all her life. She died as a centenarian. She was my great grand mother. She was almost 115. I always said if she lived past my college graduation that I would ask her how she did it.
I remember visiting her in my youngest days and her daughter, Adothan. Adothan always had cookies/candy for us. I loved it there. However, I always had to remind “Ma Bradley,” of who I was. I always wondered if she really knew. The place smelled like old people as usual (you know how it is visiting your grandparents sometimes). But, I loved the decoration/furniture that they had. There were dolls and doilies – that Adothan would make. Sometimes we had food, I was surprised seeing my great grandmother in the kitchen at times. She turned 100 in 1988. Therefor she was born in the 1880s.. wasn’t that remarkable?
On the tree I added articles and photos found by research and provided by family members (I want to thank my relative Natalie for this – she is a new cousin that I found out that I had. She’s over 50 and lives in London). My great grand mother actually have records that verified her age which was pretty remarkable. Here are a few things posted:
( Drawing By Gabrielle Le Roux)
The tree is amazing. This is how it looks and you can start your own by joining Geni.com.
Anyway on another note:
I really like the song Flaws and All by beyonce. It reminds me of the type of guy I need in my life. One who will accept me like I will accept him. I truly believe that no one is perfect so finding someone who will just allow you to be you is just heaven-sent.
As for holiday plans:
Heading to NC. Not sure who else lives there, than the person that I am visiting.
Etcs.
Yah so with the wii fit and great dieting, my BMI is almost 20 as of this morning. Wow. Thanks again Justin.
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Also I am doing abit of organization in my place… I am excited! I am also donating a lot of stuff!!!
gabrielle le roux
hi, it’s so nice to see the portrait i did of ma bradley found its way to you. she wwas so excited that it would be seen in other parts of the world and blessed me again and again for doin the work. next year from april to end of july it will be shown at the museum of london docklands. one day i hope the exhibition can come to new york.
gabrielle le roux
Hello again Jerlyn
I was revisiting your blog and see that you mention you have a cousin, Natalie, in London. I will be exhibiting the Living Ancestors portraits in the Museum of London Docklands from April 1 – July 31. I am putting the word out to Dominicans interested in attending the opening, and other events, to please contact me so I can put them on the invitation list. Particularly the families of the centenarians of course. Please let Natalie know and ask her to email me if she would like to.
And of course if you can find a way to be in London you are invited too!
Best wishes
Gabrielle