7.0

January 12, 2015 marked five years since Haiti was ravaged by a 7.0 earthquake. On January 10, 2010 I had just walked into work at about 5pm. Instead of the hugs and high fives I was accustomed to, I was greeted by the sobs of my co-worker Marie. With her face tear stained and eyes blood shot red, the only words she could muster in response to my queries were Ayiti krazay. A quick visit to my Facebook newsfeed coupled with texts from family members caught me up on what was happening around me. Ayiti, in fact had krazay-ed (a little Crenglish for you). 

Miss-Representation

The month of May is recognized as Haitian Heritage Month in South Florida. All month long the Haitian Diaspora has been proudly representing the Red and Blue and sharing our culture as the world excitedly looks on. Since THE hurricane of 2008 and the 7.0 earthquake of 2010 ravaged Haiti, the small French and Creole speaking island has been in the public eye. With a newly elected President and a new dedication to establishing Haiti as a premiere tourist destination, the negative perception of Haiti has slowly been changing.

But then local news outlets released these headlines:

North Miami Mayor Sought In Mortgage Fraud Investigation - CBS news

North Miami Mayor Facing Mortgage Fraud Charges - NBC News

North Miami Mayor charged in $8 million mortgage fraud scheme - ABC News

North Miami mayor reportedly to be charged with fraud - Fox News

The Morning Drive

I briefly mentioned it in a previous post but I am a Co-Host on a morning talk radio show called The Morning Drive. The show airs Monday thru Friday from 8am-10am on WSRF 1580AM, a Haitian owned and operated radio station located in North Miami Beach, Fl (that was a mouthful). The show is hosted by young Haitian Americans with the purpose of acting as liaisons between the gran moun (older) Haitians and the younger more Americanized generation. It's a great concept if I do say so myself. 

M pa kab dòmi/I can't sleep

12:09 AM Tuesday morning and m pa kab domi (I can't sleep). I don't know what it is. I'd love to say something profound like, "the troubles of this world are forever on my mind and manifest in my restless nights". Lies. Or maybe, "y'all home in bed sleeping while I'm out here in these streets gettin it..."  Naw, eh eh. Some of you are probably thinking, "well a few minutes past midnight isn't that late anyway so buck up fella", (I don't actually know anyone who'd say buck up fella but it felt right lol). 

Well midnight on a weeknight is pretty late especially when I wake up at 5am for a little cardio session then get ready for my morning show. Wait did I forget to mention I'm a co-host on a morning talk radio show? (The Morning Drive on WSRF 1580am Monday-Friday 9am-10am ANN ALE!!!!) Yes that was a shameless plug and there's more info on that subject coming soon. But the point is I'm already looking at less than five hours of sleep. Now it is true that my rugged good looks come naturally and take little to no effort. In fact one could say I woke up like this...(yes I just did) but for overall good health one must get sufficient rest.