Our Haitian Plate!!!!!!

Most things are uncertain in this world. The smell of good Haitian food making me happy is not one of them, it's aways certain to make me happy. Case in point I woke up from a nap today because I smelled my favorite food being cooked. pwason avek bannan peze... Yes!!!!!!!!!! Fo'm diw tou mwen pa chich... I like to share so I will post some pictures for you. I know, awesome right?

When I woke up :) Like my mom says "anpil pwason pedi lavi yo" hehe

Bannan straight from Haiti via my grandma's garden: my mom swears it tastes loads better
This is what I found when I woke up, like my mom always says "anpil poisson pedi vi yo" hehe

 My dad's basic plate before he added a plethora of things to make it unhealthy lol

 My plate. Yumm!!!!!! Ou gentan we poisson an manke moso epa vre Ayisyen? ha I couldn't help it

My mom insists that i add onions on the bannan she says it's a secret ingredient that takes it up a notch or 2. People seem to think her bannan peze is great so maybe there is truth to that lol. Try it!

In other food news, Nacha and I made Haitian Chicken Pate yesterday. We actually made a video... but there's a long story about why it's not on here.We promise to make another one soon. You will love our pate. It's unique :)
A picture for your pleasing eyes

We plan to make this a regular feature. What do you think?
Until next time... bisous
*Steph*

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Powers of a smile

I have always heard people talking about how powerful a smile can be, the most common things I have heard is that it helps people look younger. It is a fact that smiling can make you appear younger, but as a health care student, I believe that it is more consequential than that. Some studies have shown that smiling can improve our immune systems; of course that is definitely true because the more relaxed you are, the better it is for our bodies. Our bodies recharge themselves through relaxation. Furthermore, keeping a smile on can help lower your blood pressure, and not only that, it can also relieves stress. For instance, when you are stressed, people will certainly know your business because it shows up in your face, you always look overwhelmed, which is not attractive at all; who would like to be around someone like this? (Thumb down).  I am suggesting you to try hard to keep a smile on at all time because when you smile, it helps you stay positive, and this positivity will help you stand out as a successful person. I am sending this message to all of you who have the opportunity to read it: life is not over yet, it can be better just try hard to stay away from negativities. Pass this message to your friends and relatives through a simple smile….

PS: This is a poem I wrote about a few months ago because I know that God is the one who can trigger this smile in me...

A Simple Smile

Your perfect smile makes me want to live

Because of it I am now able to endure any condition

Whenever I am going through some tough situations

And when everything seems to be broken

You send me a smile from heaven

All peaceful and tender

That persuades me to surrender

Everything to you my Lord

Having such a smile makes me feel like I am adored

Nothing on earth can compare to such a beautiful smile

It helps me to be satisfied with my life

                                                        I know I might be going through trials

But with your perfect smile I can rise above it all

Keep smiling at me my King

So your light can shine through me

For this is the reason you had set me free

I promise I will always smile back

For I know many lives can be saved

Through this contagious drug: A Simple Smile

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Classic Haitian Diva: Emeline Michel

   
   Who doesn’t know “The Queen of Haitian Song”? If you are one of those who will answer
'negative" to this question, Emeline Michel is the name you need to look for. She is one of the most beloved female Haitian singers in Haiti and internationally. She is so loved because she combines traditional rhythms with social, political, inspirational content effortlessly. Like many artists, the beautiful diva had her first experiences in music at her local church; singing Gospel music. At the age of 18, she won a singing contest in Haiti, which earned her a year study at the Detroit Jazz Center. That was the beginning of a long musical career that has brought her all over the world.

      I have always loved Emeline Michel not only for her talent, but also for her beauty. She is such a gorgeous “ Fanm kreyol”. And, when I found out that she is from Gonaives, Haiti; oh my God! I loved her more lol… because Gonaives is my hometown yeah!!! Lol…

      I like all her songs, they are all memorable, but the one that I cannot ever forget is “ AKIKO”. That song reminds me of good memories of my childhood. Every time I hear it, I have to dance.  AKIKO is one of her first big hits. It is a Japanese word that means “bright star” The video for the song features some footage from her first tour in Japan. I would like to share this song with you, hope you like it too.

Other popular songs that perhaps  can help you reminisce of the “beaux vieux temps” include but is not limited to :

"Gade Papi"

 This song is from her lastest album " Reine de coeur".

 FLANM.
FLANM is one of the music that ranks her as one of the top artists in Haiti and the French Antilles. Enjoy!

-Princess Na-

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Coming right up!!!!!!!!

I am super excited about some new developments coming to the blog in the next couple of days.
By the end of the week you will have seen blog posts by all the crew :)
Lots of features are on the way par example:

She got Soul post1: Pauline Jean

Classic Haitian Diva: Emeline Michel

Haitian model: Sauvelyne Francois

Fashion Post: by Erythel

Suscribe and come around to support!

<Stephie>

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Rosy Cadet - Africa

Rosie Cadet, one of the best Haitian Divas!!!! I always used to listen to her songs when I was in Haiti; As for this song, I knew all the lyrics. Sooo what really happened was that I had forgotten if this song existed, since ya'll might notice that America makes people forget their roots sometimes (lol). Anyway, thanks to my friend Estefania Celcius who reminded me of this song, it brought me a lot of memories, it reminded me of how fun Haiti used to be (Tearzzz) and I miss that…. A lot… I can’t help it now, but to listen to my Haitian music. Hope you guys like it, enjoy!!!!!
-Esthere-

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A l"haitienne: She got soul!

This is the first installment of a new mini series about Haitian music
It was at Haitian weddings that I found Jazz. People had the habit of having me "walk in their weddings" when I was younger (face it I was adorable ask for a picture) lol
 They also had the habit of using nice jazz music for the "keteuse" to walk with and on one such occasion, I found Kenny G. To this day, even though my listening tastes have evolved beyond "smooth jazz" his songs remind me of happy days as a child in Haiti. Over the years, I've listened to jazz occasionally but it wasn't until I went to college that I found "Jazz in the Park" That I became more aware about different styles of jazz compelling me to eventually take a Jazz history elective. In that class, I felt at home. I learned about different jazz periods, how broad the genre is and I discovered a myriad of Jazz singers that are on repeat on my ipod but I was still missing something. I longed to hear musicians from home singing jazz. So recently I went on a journey to find our beautiful jazz artists and I was elated to find many of them, ALL wonderful.  In the midst of my research I found a concert that I wish I could've gone to. It was called "Haitian women in Jazz" and I loved every single artist in the lineup. So now I will introduce you to these beautiful women.This mini series will highlight  some of my favorites and those that have already made a profound imprint in my soul.
I present to you. A l"HAITIENNE: She got soul

Pauline Jean
Melanie JB Charles
Nathalie Cerin
Mikaelle Aimee

At the end of this part I will be giving away a cd of one of these gorgeous ladies
I hope you Enjoy. Don't miss this!

-Steph-

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When you're with great people

We went out to eat at this awesome place

 The food was ok but the ambience and locale were top!

It was a great night. All Haitian all the way

The restaurant is called Jack's River Bar and they have a pool avaiable to the patrons. A pool! we were in picture heaven haha

I quite enjoyed  my outfit here. These are some of my favorite colors to wear. I am wearing these awesome yellow pants that I thrifted for cheap and the top I've had for a while. All in all, this was a wonderful evening full of laughter. Special thanks to my church first lady who picked up half of the tab for us. We love you!!!!!

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