A Historic Moment for the U.S. Virgin Islands

What an exciting time we are living in!

Congratulations to Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett on her historic election as Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands! Her victory marks two significant milestones: she is the first woman elected governor of the Virgin Islands and the first Black woman elected governor of a U.S. territory.

This is certainly a moment worth celebrating!

As someone born and raised on St. Croix, I have a special interest in the future of our islands. While I no longer live there, my connection to the Virgin Islands remains strong. I care about its people, its progress, and the opportunities available to future generations.

I am looking forward to seeing how the islands will change under her leadership. More importantly, I am hopeful that this new administration will bring meaningful progress to the issues that have affected residents for far too long.

We need dependable electricity and water, better healthcare, improved infrastructure, greater economic opportunities, and leadership that listens and responds to the needs of the people.

A historic election is a wonderful beginning, but the real measure of leadership will be in the work that follows. The people deserve more than promises. They deserve progress, transparency, accountability, and results.

Governor-elect Plaskett has made history. Now comes the opportunity to make a difference.

May this new chapter bring positive change, renewed hope, and a brighter future for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Congratulations, Governor-elect Stacey Plaskett and Lieutenant Governor-elect Milton Potter!

The Virgin Islands is watching, and I am looking forward to seeing what comes next.

I'm just saying, I got issues. What about you? 🦋 

We Want Butterflies, But Don't Want Caterpillars

It's funny how sometimes a simple moment can stop you in your tracks and give you something meaningful to think about.

Today, while scrolling through Facebook on a quiet Sunday afternoon, I came across a post shared by someone I know. I don't ordinarily spend much time responding to other people's posts. Quite frankly, there's a lot out there that I simply can't relate to. But every now and then, something catches my attention, resonates with my spirit, and gives me pause.

This was one of those moments.

The post read:

"We want butterflies in our garden, but reject its stage as a caterpillar. Transformation is the law of process. Don't reject yourself."

I immediately connected with that message because it reminded me of something that happened in my own backyard this past summer.

I had an abundance of beautiful butterflies visiting my yard, including lots of monarch butterflies. I also had dragonflies, including what I understand were some rather uncommon varieties, and hummingbirds making appearances. It was a beautiful sight, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them.

But there was something happening in my garden that I wasn't enjoying quite so much.

My four o'clock plants were losing their leaves. In fact, some were practically stripped bare. I kept wondering what was eating them and was getting ready to Google pesticides to figure out how to control the problem.

Then I noticed a caterpillar on one of the shrubs.

Suddenly, something clicked!

The very leaves I was complaining about losing were providing nourishment for the caterpillars. Those caterpillars were part of the process that eventually produced the beautiful butterflies I had been enjoying.

Here I was, celebrating the butterflies while unknowingly fussing about the very process that helped bring them into existence.

When I researched it, I also discovered that my backyard was apparently providing a safe environment for these visitors. That made me feel even better. I wasn't just enjoying the beauty of nature; I was providing an environment where it could thrive.

And now, rather than reaching for pesticides the next time I see leaves disappearing, I'll remember what those leaves might be contributing to.

As a matter of fact, next spring, I plan to add more marigolds and four o'clock plants to encourage even more visitors to my little sanctuary.

But the experience left me thinking about something much bigger than gardening.

How often do we desire the beautiful things in life without understanding what goes into producing them?

We want the success but don't always appreciate the work required to achieve it. We want the healing but sometimes resist the process. We want the transformation but become frustrated when the process requires us to let go of something, change direction, or experience discomfort.

Sometimes we become so focused on what appears to be going wrong that we fail to recognize what might be developing right before our eyes.

I'm not suggesting that every hardship is necessary or that we should accept every difficult circumstance as part of some grand plan. But I am suggesting that we become more mindful of the process and less inclined to judge it before we understand it.

Not everything that looks like a loss is a loss. Not everything that appears to be falling apart is without purpose. And sometimes, what we are so quick to reject may be an important part of what we're hoping to become.

My little backyard taught me something this summer.

I wanted the butterflies, but I didn't understand that I also needed to make room for the caterpillars.

Perhaps we could all benefit from remembering that.

Don't become so consumed with wanting to experience the beauty of the butterfly that you reject the process of becoming one.

I'm just saying, I got issues. What about you?🦋

#IGotIssues, #WeWantButterflies, #Transformation, #TrustTheProcess, #LifeLessons, #SundayReflections, #Mindfulness, and #NatureHasALesson

The Virgin Islands: We Deserve More Than Survival. We Deserve Solutions.

I was born and raised on St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. Although I left the island approximately 30 years ago, I have never stopped considering myself a Virgin Islander. My roots are there. My family history is there. And what happens in the Virgin Islands matters to me, regardless of where I live.

I have witnessed many changes throughout my lifetime. I remember growing up in a home without indoor plumbing. We had a dirt floor, and when nature called, we had to go outside. Eventually, we moved into an apartment with running water. That apartment was Ralph De Chabert which was right next door to the power plant in Christiansted.

I share those memories because I have seen progress. I know improvements are possible. But I also know that many of the challenges facing the Virgin Islands today are not new.

After all these years, why are residents still struggling with some of the same basic necessities?

This conversation is not about St. Croix alone. It is about the entire U.S. Virgin Islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and the smaller surrounding islands.

The people who live there deserve reliable electricity and water, accessible healthcare, sound infrastructure, economic opportunity, and public officials who are accountable for the decisions they make.

We deserve more than survival. We deserve solutions.

WAPA: The cost of electricity and the cost of doing without it

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, commonly known as WAPA, provides electricity and water services throughout the territory.

For years, residents have dealt with high utility bills, unreliable electricity, and outages that can last for hours or even days. Residents have reported monthly bills in the $400 to $500 range. Imagine paying that kind of money and still having to wonder whether the electricity will be available when you need it.

When the power goes out, the consequences extend far beyond sitting in the dark.

Refrigerators and freezers stop working. Groceries spoil. Businesses lose inventory and revenue. People who work from home cannot work. Residents who depend on electrically powered equipment face additional concerns. Families cannot maintain their normal routines.

And what about the money people lose when food has to be thrown away?

What about the inconvenience, the disruption, and the additional expenses incurred because a service people pay for is unavailable?

Residents have also expressed frustration about the lack of timely explanations, communication, and meaningful accountability when outages occur. Paying customers deserve more than silence and uncertainty.

This is not an isolated concern. The U.S. Government Accountability Office documented the territory's electricity challenges in its 2025 report, U.S. Territories: Public Debt and Economic Outlook. The report found that the average electricity price paid by Virgin Islands residents was approximately 42 cents per kilowatt-hour at the end of 2023, nearly three times the mainland U.S. average. It also identified aging infrastructure, deferred maintenance, inconsistent metering and billing, and frequent outages as significant concerns.

The report estimated WAPA's deferred maintenance at approximately $33 million and reported that its debt was about $238 million as of December 2024.

These are serious financial and operational problems. They deserve serious attention.

And they raise an important question: How much longer can residents be expected to absorb the financial consequences of a utility system that continues to struggle with reliability?

Two generating stations. One territory. A question of redundancy.

The Virgin Islands has two principal WAPA-owned generating stations:

Estate Richmond on St. Croix.

Randolph Harley on St. Thomas.

These two facilities provide more than 90% of the territory's electricity. St. Croix and St. Thomas operate separate electrical grids, while St. John receives electricity through an underwater cable connection from St. Thomas.

That arrangement raises important questions about the territory's ability to withstand equipment failures.

What happens when one or more major generating units become unavailable? How much backup capacity is available? How quickly can replacement parts be obtained? What contingency plans exist when multiple units fail at the same time?

The October 2026 outages in the St. Thomas–St. John district brought these questions into sharp focus.

On October 23, residents protested outside WAPA's Four Winds offices on St. Thomas. The demonstration followed repeated outages that disrupted households and businesses. Public schools and Executive Branch offices in the St. Thomas–St. John district also closed because of the power interruptions.

WAPA subsequently reported that Unit 27 had returned to service on October 26. However, the authority acknowledged that rotating outages were continuing at reduced levels because other generating units remained offline for repairs.

WAPA has also outlined longer-term projects, including additional standby generation for St. John, temporary backup generation, replacement of permanent generating equipment, solar development, and improvements to transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Those are important plans. But residents deserve to know whether the proposed timelines will be met, how the projects will be funded, and how the public will be able to measure their results.

I also want to raise a question about St. Croix.

Could additional generation, strategically located infrastructure, or other properly engineered backup solutions toward the western side of the island improve reliability? I am not suggesting that one particular location or facility is automatically the answer. I am asking whether the territory has fully evaluated every reasonable option to strengthen the system.

Why should the islands remain so vulnerable when generating capacity, backup systems, and alternative energy sources can be evaluated and planned?

We need a long-term energy strategy that does more than respond to the latest outage.

Electricity and water are connected

There is another part of this conversation that cannot be overlooked: water.

Many Virgin Islands homes rely on cisterns that collect rainwater from rooftops. Government and public-health materials estimate that approximately 90% of homes have active cisterns.

Those cisterns are an important part of daily life. But electricity is often needed to pump water from the cistern into the home.

So when the power goes out, a household can lose more than electricity. It can also lose access to water inside the home.

The territory also depends on water-production and distribution infrastructure. WAPA has acknowledged that water service in parts of St. Croix has been affected by drought conditions, increased demand, and aging distribution infrastructure.

This is why electricity, water, and infrastructure planning cannot be treated as separate conversations.

A reliable water supply, dependable pumping systems, adequate storage, and properly maintained distribution networks are essential.

Residents should not have to wonder whether they will have electricity and water on the same day.

Healthcare: Having a hospital is not the same as having access to all the care you need

This is one of the areas I feel deserves much more attention.

Let me be clear: St. Croix has a hospital. Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center is an important healthcare institution serving the island.

St. Thomas has Roy Lester Schneider Hospital and the Schneider Regional Medical Center system. St. John has the Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center.

But the existence of hospitals does not mean every specialty, procedure, or level of medical care is available on every island.

The hospital's own patient information explains that when a patient's required care cannot be provided at Juan F. Luis Hospital, the physician can arrange an island transfer to another facility.

That is an important distinction.

Residents who need specialized treatment may have to travel to St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, or the mainland. Sometimes that travel is necessary because the services, specialists, equipment, or facilities they need are not available locally.

Now consider the financial burden.

A person who is already dealing with a medical condition may also have to pay for transportation, lodging, meals, and other expenses. Family members may need to take time off work and travel with the patient.

What happens to someone who cannot afford to make that trip?

What happens to someone who does not have family members who can help?

What happens to someone who delays necessary care because the cost of leaving the island is simply beyond their means?

Healthcare should not depend on whether a person has enough money to travel.

I have personal reasons for raising this issue. My mother had to travel from St. Croix to St. Thomas for an eye doctor. I have also known families who had to travel to South Florida for medical appointments and services.

My mother also spoke about the possibility of bringing the expertise of an established medical institution, such as Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, to St. Croix after she recieved much needed care from that facility.

I believe that idea deserves serious consideration.

Could the Virgin Islands establish a partnership with a major mainland hospital system to bring more specialists, physicians, nurses, training, and advanced medical services to the territory?

Could such a partnership include visiting specialists, telemedicine, clinical training, and a structured arrangement to expand services locally?

Could it also create economic benefits?

Think about the possibilities: medical professionals coming to the islands, local employment, housing and rental opportunities, increased spending in local businesses, and more healthcare dollars remaining in the territory.

This would require careful planning, financial analysis, and an appropriate healthcare partner. But why shouldn't the territory explore it?

We should not accept a situation in which residents must routinely leave their homes and families to receive medical care that could potentially be made available closer to home.

And we must pay particular attention to people with limited financial resources. They should not be left behind simply because they cannot afford to travel for treatment.

Infrastructure: Why should residents have to keep asking for the basics?

Infrastructure affects nearly every part of daily life.

Roads, drainage, electricity, water distribution, public buildings, schools, hospitals, transportation, and communications all contribute to the quality of life in a community.

I have concerns about the differences in infrastructure and public services between St. Croix and St. Thomas. These are concerns that deserve a transparent, island-by-island review.

Residents should be able to see how infrastructure funding is distributed, which projects are prioritized, what improvements are scheduled, and whether the work is being completed.

Are the islands receiving equitable attention?

Are roads and drainage systems being maintained consistently? Are public facilities being upgraded? Are water and electrical systems receiving the investments they need? Are projects being delayed because of funding, planning, procurement, or management problems?

The public should not have to rely on rumors or guesswork to understand what is happening.

We need a comprehensive infrastructure plan for the entire territory, with clear priorities, realistic timelines, public reporting, and accountability.

And we need to make sure St. John is not overlooked simply because it has a smaller population.

Economic development: Tourism cannot be the only answer

Tourism is important to the Virgin Islands. It brings visitors, supports businesses, and provides employment.

But an economy that depends too heavily on one industry is vulnerable.

The Government Accountability Office has also identified the territory's dependence on tourism as an economic risk, even though visitor numbers had recovered beyond pre-pandemic levels by 2023 and 2024.

We need to ask what else the Virgin Islands can develop.

What industries can provide stable employment? What can be manufactured locally? What opportunities exist in agriculture, technology, renewable energy, healthcare, marine industries, and other areas?

St. Croix has a history of industrial activity. The Limetree Bay refinery was ordered by the Environmental Protection Agency to pause operations in May 2021 following incidents that presented serious public-health and environmental concerns.

The refinery had been one of the territory's largest employers. The GAO reported that territory officials estimated reopening it would add approximately 1,000 jobs.

I am not suggesting that the refinery should reopen without addressing the environmental and public-health issues. Residents' health and safety must come first.

But the loss of a major employer reinforces the need to develop other sustainable sources of employment and revenue.

We also need to look at industries that already operate in the Virgin Islands.

Consider rum production.

Cruzan Rum has a long history on St. Croix. The distillery continues to produce rum there, but bottling and packaging are now done off-island.

Diageo's Captain Morgan distillery is also located on St. Croix. The company confirms that production from its St. Croix distillery is shipped off-island for bottling.

What additional economic opportunities could exist if more packaging, bottling, distribution, and related operations were retained locally?

How many additional jobs could be created? What infrastructure and workforce training would be needed? What incentives would encourage businesses to invest in more local operations?

These are legitimate economic-development questions.

We should be looking for ways to keep more of the value created in the Virgin Islands circulating within the Virgin Islands.

Economic development should not simply mean bringing visitors to the islands. It should mean creating an economy where residents can earn a living, build businesses, support their families, and see a future for their children.

What can we learn from other U.S. territories?

The Virgin Islands is not the only U.S. territory dealing with infrastructure and utility challenges.

Puerto Rico, for example, continues to face serious electricity reliability problems. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that in 2025, Puerto Rico customers experienced an average of 36 hours of power interruptions unrelated to major events such as hurricanes.

That does not excuse the problems in the Virgin Islands. It demonstrates that island energy systems require serious investment, planning, and accountability.

We should also remember that assistance and cooperation across jurisdictions can make a difference.

Following Hurricane Maria in 2017, the Western Area Power Administration—which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy and is entirely separate from the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, despite sharing the acronym WAPA—sent approximately two dozen linemen to assist with power restoration in the Virgin Islands. Seven were members of IBEW Local 1245 from the agency's Sierra Nevada region. The team was stationed in St. Thomas for approximately two months.

That is an example of federal resources and outside expertise being brought in to help the territory.

Why shouldn't we continue exploring partnerships, technical assistance, and mutual-aid arrangements that could help strengthen our infrastructure?

The territory should not have to solve every problem alone.

What needs to happen?

I am not simply pointing out problems. I am asking for a coordinated plan that addresses them.

Here are some priorities that deserve serious attention:

Independent financial and operational oversight of WAPA. Examine contracts, spending, debt, billing practices, fuel procurement, maintenance, management, and the use of federal funding.

A reliable energy system. Modernize aging generating equipment, improve backup capacity, evaluate additional generation, expand renewable energy and battery storage, and strengthen transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Reliable water service. Address aging water distribution systems, drought-related challenges, water production, storage, and the connection between electricity and water access.

Equitable infrastructure investment. Publish a territory-wide plan showing the needs, funding, priorities, and timelines for St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.

Improved healthcare access. Explore partnerships with established medical institutions to expand specialty care, attract medical professionals, improve training, and reduce unnecessary off-island travel.

Economic diversification. Develop opportunities beyond tourism, including manufacturing, local packaging and bottling, agriculture, healthcare, renewable energy, and other sustainable industries.

Transparency in public spending. Make audits, contracts, project updates, and financial reports accessible and understandable to residents.

Accountability for results. When audits and investigations identify problems, the public deserves to know what corrective action is being taken and whether it is working.

These are not unreasonable expectations. They are basic responsibilities of institutions entrusted with public resources and public service.

To our elected officials, candidates, and oversight agencies

I have questions for the 15 members of the Virgin Islands Legislature, those seeking elected office, and the institutions responsible for oversight and accountability.

To our sitting senators: What have you done to address these longstanding problems?

What legislation have you introduced? What oversight hearings have you requested? What questions have you asked WAPA? What efforts have you made to secure federal assistance? What have you done to address healthcare limitations and infrastructure needs?

What results can you point to?

To those seeking public office, including Julian Vera and the other candidates aspiring to serve: What are your plans?

What will you do about WAPA? What will you do to improve healthcare? What is your plan for infrastructure, economic development, and public accountability?

What specific actions will you take, and how will residents know whether you have delivered?

Leadership is not something that begins on the day someone is sworn into office.

You don't have to wait until you're elected to start working for the people you want to represent.

To the Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General and the Virgin Islands Public Services Commission: These local institutions have important oversight and regulatory responsibilities. What reviews, audits, investigations, or regulatory actions have been undertaken within your respective authority? What findings have been made public? What corrective actions have been recommended or required?

I also want to be clear about the steps I have personally taken.

I have written to federal offices in Washington, D.C., and to our congressional delegate, Stacey E. Plaskett.

The federal offices I contacted are:

U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General

U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives for the Virgin Islands.

I have not yet sent letters to the local Virgin Islands Office of the Inspector General or the Public Services Commission. However, I believe their responsibilities make them important parts of this conversation.

To the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General: What oversight or investigative review is appropriate within your jurisdiction concerning federal funds, programs, and activities affecting the Virgin Islands?

To the Office of Insular Affairs: What federal resources, technical assistance, and coordination can be brought to bear on the territory's infrastructure and economic challenges?

To Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett: What additional federal attention, oversight, resources, and coordination can be pursued on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands?

I recognize that these offices have different responsibilities and limitations. I am not suggesting that every office has authority over every problem. I am asking each to use the authority it does have, identify where additional action is needed, and help ensure that legitimate concerns reach the appropriate agencies.

I am also not making accusations of wrongdoing without evidence. Concerns about mismanagement, the use of public funds, and the lack of accountability deserve independent examination. Where questions arise, audits and investigations should establish the facts.

The public deserves more than acknowledgments that problems exist. We deserve to know what is being done to correct them.

And to the people of the Virgin Islands

We cannot leave these conversations entirely to politicians and government agencies.

Residents have a right to ask questions. We have a right to attend public meetings, examine budgets, request information, question candidates, and demand updates.

Do not wait until election season to ask what your representatives have accomplished.

Do not settle for campaign promises without specific plans.

Ask how projects will be funded, who will be responsible, when the work will be completed, and how success will be measured.

This is not about political parties or personalities. It is about the quality of life of the people who live in the Virgin Islands.

I may have been away from St. Croix for approximately 30 years, but distance has not erased my connection to the place where I was born and raised.

I want to see the Virgin Islands thrive.

I want residents to have dependable electricity and water. I want people to have access to quality healthcare without being financially burdened by the need to travel elsewhere. I want roads, public facilities, and essential infrastructure that reflect the needs of the communities they serve.

I want young people to have opportunities to build careers and businesses at home. I want public resources managed responsibly. And I want the people who are entrusted with leadership and oversight to be accountable for their decisions.

The Virgin Islands has people, resources, history, talent, and potential. What is needed is a serious commitment to making that potential work for the people who call these islands home.

We deserve more than explanations about why things cannot be done. We deserve practical solutions, responsible management, and measurable results.

And to those who aspire to represent us:

You don't have to wait until you're elected to start working for the people you want to represent.

I'm just saying, I got issues. What about you? 🦋 

Why I Avoid the Doctor

I try to stay out of doctor’s offices. I manage my health, I listen to my body, and I only go when it is an absolute necessity. But lately, my body decided to throw a few curveballs my way, forcing me back into the matrix of modern medicine. Let me tell you, the system is broken, and the customer service is even worse.

It started with a scary tightening in my right calf that worked its way up into my thigh, accompanied by head pressure and a whole-body tingle. Naturally, you think the worst—a blood clot. I went to my primary cardiologist, who knows my history. Thankfully, he ruled out a clot, but he ordered a spine X-ray to check for a pinched nerve and handed me two prescriptions to get me through.

Simple enough, right? Wrong.

One of the prescriptions was Tramadol. Here’s the kicker: I have a history of seizures. Tramadol is notorious for lowering the seizure threshold. The pharmacy flagged it, so I did what any responsible patient would do—I called the cardiologist's office to get a safe alternative.

You would think giving your name and date of birth clearly at the start of a call would help. Instead, I got an attitude, a receptionist who couldn't remember my last name two seconds after I said it, and an answer that boiled down to: "We lost your X-ray, we’ll look for it, and the doctor will call you back sometime." Click.

Meanwhile, I had a deep cleaning at the dentist. The hygienist scraped so hard below my gum line I thought she was digging for gold. Ever since I left, the entire left side of my mouth has been completely dry, chalky, and tingly. My inner lip is literally sticking to my teeth. When I called the dentist just to ask a simple, factual question—“Hey, did the hygienist use a local numbing agent or specific material that caused this?”—the defensive walls went straight up.

The receptionist argued with me about who did the cleaning. Then the office manager jumped on the phone with a stern, aggressive voice, treating me like I was causing trouble and assuming I was calling to complain about pain. I never said I was in pain. I just wanted to know what was put in my mouth!

It is exhausting. Front-desk staff are moving on robotic auto-pilot, checking boxes instead of listening to the human being on the other end of the line. When they mess up, they get confrontational instead of helpful. It makes you feel like you shouldn't even give them your information until they beg for it.

At this point, my phone is on silent and every single one of them can talk to my voicemail. I am staying home, drinking my water, tracking my symptoms, and protecting my peace.

We have all been there—stuck in the medical matrix, dealing with missing records, or getting managed by a defensive office staff. I want to hear from you. Drop a comment below and share your own doctor or dentist office horror stories. Let’s vent together!

💌 Don't let the social media algorithm hide my stories from you. Enter your email in the subscription box on my sidebar to get every single raw, honest perspective sent straight to your inbox the moment it drops!

I'm just saying, #igotissues. What about you? 🦋 

I called ahead. So why did I still have to go somewhere else?

I’m getting everything together for my international passport interview, and one of the things on my checklist was getting my passport application notarized. Simple, right? Well, not exactly. 

I've been a customer of my bank for about 30 years. So when I needed to take care of this passport paperwork, I thought, let me call ahead. I called and explained exactly what I needed. I told them I had an international passport application that needed to be notarized as well as a passport picture that needed to be signed. But I didn't stop there. I specifically explained it had to be the bank manager. The response was "yes, we can do that." But because I wanted to make sure there wasn't any misunderstanding, I clarified. It has to be the manager. I was put on hold. When they came back, I was told "yes, they could most definitely do that," and that I could walk into the branch and the manager would take care of it. Perfect. That was exactly what I needed to know. So I made the trip. When I arrived, I gave them my information and explained what I needed. I didn't get to speak with the manager directly. Instead, the rep took my application and photo in the back to the manager. When she returned I was told they could notarize the passport application, but the manager would not be the person doing it. Wait. What? That wasn't what I was told when I had called to confirm. And then there was the passport photo. The back of the photo needed to be signed to attest that the person in the photo was me. I explained that, but was told they couldn't do that. And that's when I started wondering, did the person I spoke to on the phone actually heard what I asked? Because sometimes people hear a keyword and answer a general question instead of the specific one that was actually asked. 

I wasn't trying to waste anybody's time, especially not my own, so that's why I called ahead. I wanted to know, before making the trip, if the right person was available to handle what I needed done. Had the answer been no, that would have been okay. Tell me no. I can work with no. I can make other arrangements. What I can't work with is being told yes, making the trip based on that information, and then finding out when I arrive that the answer is actually something different. That's the part that frustrated me. 

Fortunately, I had another option. I went to another bank where I have been a customer for 14 years. And the manager there, even though he didn't usually handle international passport matters, took the time to listen to my request and checked my banking record. He confirmed that I'd been with them for 14 years, came back, signed the passport application, and even wrote on the back of the photograph and signed it. And just like that. I was on my way.

The lesson? Plan ahead, ask specific questions, and allow time for surprises. That way, you get it all done days in advance and you can focus on packing for your trip instead of stressing over getting that checklist completed. Just practical timing and follow through. 

💌 Don't let the social media algorithm hide my stories from you. Enter your email in the subscription box on my sidebar to get every single raw, honest perspective sent straight to your inbox the moment it drops! I'm just saying, I got issues. What about you? 🦋 

Candud Imterview with DF Quin

You are ivited to watch an honest and inspiring conversation with DJ Quinb as we talk about faith, relationships, living single, travel, boundaries  grief, healing self confidence,  work, money and enjoying life. 

Click the link below and enjoy. 

💌 Don't let the social media algorithm hide my stories from you. Enter your email in the subscription box on my sidebar to get every single raw, honest perspective sent straight to your inbox the moment it drops!

Im just saying  I got issues.  What about you? 🦋 

Click here to launch video

Boys to Men - A New Perspective

When I raised my son, I thought being a good mother meant fixing everything. If he had a problem, I wanted to solve it. If he struggled, I wanted to make it easier. I was his mother, and protecting him came naturally.

But raising a child—and then watching that child become an adult—has taught me something I couldn't fully understand back then:

Struggle builds character.

My son is 33 now, and our relationship has evolved. He has reminded me that he isn't simply my “child.” He is my son—a grown man with his own thoughts, opinions, experiences, and voice.

That distinction may seem small to me, but it means something to him. And I've learned that loving my children means being open enough to hear what they are saying, even when their perspective isn't the same as mine.

When my son was growing up, one of the things I intentionally did differently was allow him to have a voice. I didn't always agree with him, and I still had the final say when I needed to, but I allowed him to express himself and have some say in the things that affected him. Looking back, I believe that mattered.

He has even told me that the way I raised him—the sacrifices I made, the things I did to make sure he had what he needed, and the way I allowed him to question things—helped shape his ability to recognize when something doesn't feel right. But he also taught me something in return - that I didn't always allow him to struggle.

My instinct as a mother was to fix things. If my child came to me with a problem, my first thought was, “How can I make this better?” I protected, provided, solved, and sometimes buffered him from experiences he needed to navigate for himself.

It wasn't until he became an adult that I realized something: by fixing everything, I may have prevented him from learning that he was capable of fixing some things himself. He had to enter the real world and discover that the world wasn't going to cushion every fall. And that's when my mother's heart had to learn another lesson: Sometimes loving your child means letting them struggle just enough to discover their own strength. Not abandoning them. Not withholding help when help is truly needed. But knowing when to step back and let them spread their wings. That is something I would do differently if I had the opportunity to raise my children again. I would still love fiercely. I would still protect whole-heartedly. I would still provide totally, but I would allow a little more struggle.Because struggle builds character.

And now, at 33, my son doesn't need me to mother him in the same way I did when he was a boy. Sometimes he needs a mother. Sometimes he needs a confidant. Sometimes he needs someone to listen while he works something out for himself. And sometimes he just needs to vent without me trying to fix it. That has probably been one of the hardest lessons for me as a mother: learning that my job changes as my children grow. 

There was a time when I carried the responsibility of raising them on my shoulders. Today, I can put the mother hat down. I can take that weight off my shoulders and simply embrace the wonderful man and woman my children have become.

Do I get it right every time? Absolutely not. But I'm still learning. And perhaps that's the beautiful thing about raising children: we think we're teaching them how to become adults, only to discover that they are teaching us how to become better parents along the way.

My son taught me to listen. He taught me that having a voice matters. He taught me that being his mother doesn't mean I have to solve every problem. And he taught me that sometimes the greatest gift I can give him is the freedom to discover what he can do for himself.

He is still my son. But he is no longer the little boy I was responsible for guiding through every step.

He's a man. And I'm grateful that I get to know him as one. I'm just saying, I got issues. What about you? 🦋 

💌 Don't let the social media algorithm hide my stories from you. Enter your email in the subscription box on my sidebar to get every single raw, honest perspective sent straight to your inbox the moment it drops!

Read the original blog here. 

Why Do People Lie? A refreshed I Got Issues reflection

Back in 2012, I wrote this piece with a lot of fire. I still believe honesty matters. But now, after more years of watching people, including myself, I see it's a little more complicated. People lie for so many reasons. Fear, like fear of disappointing someone. Shame, like not wanting to be seen as weak or messy, and sometimes it's about control, steering how someone else reacts.

But the cost adds up. Lies strain trust, even small ones, and once that trust breaks,repair can be slow, sometimes impossible.repair can be slow, sometimes impossible. I'm just saying,  #igotissues, what about you? 🦋 

And if you'd like to revisit the original, revisit the old post here. 

Don't let the social media algorithm hide my stories from you. Enter your email in the subscription box on my sidebar to get every single raw, honest perspective sent straight to your inbox the moment it drops!

Silence Isn't Quiet. Sometimes It’s Louder Than Noise.

I just got back from my fourth silent retreat, and once again I'm reminded why I believe people should experience something like this at least once because it can be life-changing.

Imagine stepping away from technology, people, responsibilities, the constant hustle and bustle. No phone, no social media, no television, no outside noise competing for your attention. Just you, nature, your thoughts, your breath, and your body. For those days, aren't checking your phone or rushing around. You begin noticing things. Sometimes, even the silence feels noisy. The amplified sounds of spoons knocking plates, chairs dragged across the floor, or the deep sigh of someone who can't speak. And in that quiet, mindfulness sneaks in. You start moving differently. Lifting the chair instead of dragging it. Handling your spoon gently, moving with more care. 

That awareness doesn't have to stay at a retreat. You can bring it home. More presence, more attention to the little things. And maybe that is the real lesson, sometimes we don't need more noise more conversations or more distractions.

Sometimes, we just need to be still long enough to hear. And that's an issue worth paying attention to. I'm just saying, I got issues. What about you? 🦋

💌 Don't let the social media algorithm hide my stories from you. Enter your email in the subscription box on my sidebar to get every single raw, honest perspective sent straight to your inbox the moment it drops!

Merchants passing on 3.5% creditt card fees to patrons

So when did everything start coming with a fee? I swear, sometimes it feels like if somebody could figure out a way to charge us for breathing air, they would. But I know the world has always been about money. Lately, I've become more aware of just how many little fees are being added to things that used to be a, part of doing business. 

Sometimes those fees are so small you barely even notice. But they add up. I started noticing this years ago when I worked at an auto repair shop. The owner told me he wanted to start adding a percentage when customers paid with a credit card. Because he had seen other businesses do it. At the time, I thought, "hmm, okay." Then I started seeing it in more places. You go somewhere and there's a sign telling you that a 3.5 percentage will be added if you use your credit card. You buy tickets to an event and suddenly there's a "processing fee". You see a "convenience fee". You look at your receipt and there's another charge that you weren't expecting. And I'm thinking "Wait a minute. I'm already paying the bill. Why am I also paying your cost for accepting my payment?" 

My mom taught me something years ago that I've always tried to live by. "Pay your credit card bill in full and on time." Why? Because she didn't want the credit card company making money off of me through interest. So imagine my surprise when I realized that even when I pay my credit card off in full, I may still be paying an additional fee to the business simply because I chose to use my credit card. And here's the thing. I'm not saying don't use your credit card. I'm saying "Pay attention." Because once I became aware of these fees, I started making different choices. If I see that a business charges an additional fee for using a credit card. I might take out my checkbook. I might carry cash. I might ask whether there's a different price depending on how I pay. 

Today, I went somewhere to get an apostille seal on a document. There was a sign clearly posted letting customers know that using a credit card would result in an additional 3.5% charge. I was gonna use my credit card but after seeing the sign opted to pay cash instead. So happy it was just three dollars because I had it. So I paid the three dollars in cash and kept it moving. 

That little moment reminded me of something. Sometimes it's not about the amount. It's about having the information and making the choice. And that's why I'm writing this. I'm not telling anybody how they should pay their bills or what payment method they should use. I'm simply saying be informed. Look for signs and look at your receipts. You may see words like "credit card surcharge", "convenience fee", "service fee", "processing fee", but don't automatically assume they're all the same thing. Ask what the fee's for. If you're about to make a purchase, ask, "is there an additional fee for using my credit card?" If there is, then you can decide whether the convenience of using your card is worth the extra charge. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. But at least you know. And that's really my point. Because if we're not paying attention, we can swipe, tap, sign and walk away without realizing that we just paid an extra percentage on top of what we already owed. 

Here's another thing I've learned. Just because a fee is small doesn't mean it isn't money. 3 dollars here 5 dollars there a percentage over here, a processing fee over there. Before you know it, you've spent money you didn't have to simply because you weren't aware of the charge. So, the next time you're getting ready to tap that card take a second. Look for the sign. Ask the question. Check the receipt. And if there's another way to pay without the additional fee, then decide what makes sense for you. I'm not trying to tell anybody what to do. I'm just saying, "Know what you're paying for." Because, apparently, these days even paying your bill comes with a bill. I'm just saying, I got issues. What about you? 🦋 

What I know about relationships now that I didn't know then.

For a long time, I thought being a good partner meant making sure the other person was happy. I would focus on what they wanted to do, what made them happy, what they needed, and what I could do to make things work, even when the effort wasn't matched. 

What I didn't understand then is that I'm part of the relationship too. I have needs, I have wants, I have to matter too. A relationship shouldn't be one person constantly giving. There has to be balance. You should be willing to give but not lose yourself. And sometimes we're carrying old hurt into new situations. That's when self-reflection becomes important. What am I looking for in a relationship? What am I willing to give? What am I willing to accept? And maybe most importantly, what have I been accepting that I shouldn't have been? 

People aren't responsible for our happiness. Healthy relationships need space, boundaries, and individuality. I'm just saying, I got issues. What about you? 🦋 

When customer service becomes the problem

Have you ever called a company because you needed help, only to fight your way through the customer service system just to reach a human? Well, let me tell you what happened to me. 

I was dealing with a T-Mobile issue at the airport. I called expecting assistance, but got stuck, in what felt like an endless automated loop. 6 minutes turned into 53 minutes. I'm not talking about waiting comfortably. I mean fighting through prompts that don't lead to a person. Customer service shouldn't feel like a test of endurance. 

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's experienced this. What's the longest you've ever had to wait, or wrangle an automated system? I'm just saying, #igotissues.  What about you? 🦋 

I Don’t Want to Be Tolerated

For a very long time, I thought I needed a relationship to complete me. I thought being in a relationship meant I would feel valued, loved, and supported.

But what I learned was that I could be in a relationship and still feel completely alone.

I was still dealing with life's challenges on my own. When my car needed attention, I handled it. When it needed gas, maintenance, or washing, I handled it. When the grass needed cutting, I handled it. And while I was handling all of that, I was also cooking, cleaning, giving, nurturing, and catering to someone else's needs.

I was exhausting myself trying to be everything for somebody else, while wondering who was making sure I was okay.

And that realization changed something in me.

I don't want a relationship where I am constantly giving and carrying the load while the other person simply receives. I want a partner. Someone who understands that life is a two-way street. Someone who is willing to share the load, offer support, show up, and genuinely care about what I'm carrying too.

I want to feel appreciated, not tolerated.

I've also learned that attraction and chemistry are wonderful, but they aren't enough to build a lasting relationship. I want to know who you are beyond what you find physically attractive about me. What are your values? What matters to you? How do you communicate? How do you treat people? What do you bring to a relationship besides your physical presence?

And there is another thing I will not compromise: my core beliefs.

My spiritual understanding and consciousness have evolved through years of questioning, learning, experiencing, and having truths revealed to me along my journey. My relationship with God, the Universe, and my understanding of who I am are deeply important to me.

I don't expect another person to have every answer I have or to experience spirituality exactly the way I do. But I do need someone who can respect my beliefs, honor my consciousness, and allow me to walk my spiritual path without trying to pull me away from it.

I have worked too hard to find my peace and understand myself to compromise the very things that have helped me become the woman I am today.

And I'm not in a rush to jump into bed just because there is attraction.

I don't need to sleep with you to show you that I care about you. I want the opportunity to build something first. Let's talk. Let's spend time together. Let's learn each other. Let's see whether there is a foundation strong enough to support something meaningful.

It might take six months. It might take a year. Maybe longer. I'm not putting a deadline on getting to know someone. I'm putting value on the process.

For a long time, I neglected myself because I didn't know any better. I grew up learning to figure things out through experience, and some of those experiences taught me to give more than I received. Over time, my heart became guarded.

But now I'm learning something different.

I am learning to love myself. I'm learning to protect my peace. I'm learning that being single does not mean I'm incomplete, and being in a relationship does not automatically mean I'm loved.

I don't need someone to complete me.

I want someone who complements the woman I've already become.

Someone who can meet me where I am—not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

Someone who understands that friendship is a two-way street. You don't get to say you're looking for a friend and then use that friendship as a place to dump all of your problems without ever asking how I'm doing.

I have peace in my life now, and I'm not willing to trade that peace for a relationship just because I don't want to be alone.

I'd rather be alone and whole than partnered and exhausted.

I'd rather wait for something meaningful than settle for something that only looks good on the surface.

Because I don't want to be tolerated.

I want to be loved. I want to be appreciated. I want to be supported. I want to be respected. And I want to be chosen just as intentionally as I choose.

I'm just saying, #Igotissues. What about you? 🦋

#Love #Relationships #SelfLove #Peace #PersonalGrowth #Dating #KnowYourWorth #HealthyRelationships #SpiritualGrowth #Consciousness #Igotissues

Forgiveness Is Freedom

Someone shared this with me this morning and it resonated with me. I couldn't help thinking  about the people who have hurt me over the years with their words, their actions, including physical abuse, neglect or just other things.  I reflected on how I was able to forgive them. Forgiving them was difficult and in some cases took years, but it was worth it. I have come to realize that forgiving otheres is good for the soul. 

Sometimes we offend others without realizing it. It could be you were unaware that your actions or words were offensive to them. Perhaps you were just being yourself, but someone got offended. We can't manage how people will take our words or actions especially if we know it was not done or said out of malice, and they can't manage how we will take theirs. Truth is people will interpret things based on their own personal experience. They can only assume/interpret your words or actions based on what that means to them. When I see someone eating, I used to think they are eating because they are hungry because thats the only time I eat. However I now know that people may eat for different reasons  Some eat when they're stressed. Some eat for comfort. Some eat because they're trying to fill an emotional void.

Someone can say a something mean to me now and it does not offend me where as before I would feel bad. Now i just round my shoulder and think, "yes, and don't you mess with me". That is because I no longer choose to let peoples words dictate how I feel or live. I have come to understand that "feeling" is the secret to creating and manifesting. 

We all crsate our reality with our words, thoughts, expectatuins, and yes with our feelings. The universe does not understand words, it responds to how you feel. So when you say I am feeling good but you are really feeling sad, the sadness is what you are broadcasting and that vibration is what creates more things for you to be sad about. It is impossible to vibration good feelings when you are feeling sad.

Most people's sadness comes from a spirit of unforgiveness. Not just towards others but towards themselves. They blame themselves for things that may not even be their fault. They take on the stress, unhappiness of things they may or may not have created and they end up living a miserable life. But they don't have to continue like that. Just as how they made themselves miserable they can undo it. It's so simple, yet most people can't accept the simplicity of the action. It's called forgiving and letting go. How do you do that? I am glad you asked. All you do is release the thought that has you bound. Replay the event the way you would have liked it to go. Hear the words you wanted to hear, and as you do, you will notice a shift in your feelings. You may even find yourself smiling. Release the things that has you wound up like a top. 

What most people don't realize is that it is those negative feelings they hold on to that is the root cause of their unhappiness. It is what causes sickness and diseases in their body. When you hold on to those feelings it festers in the body and cause the body to malfunction. The brain releases different chemicals to try to stabilize your system but to no avail. It is the combination of those chemicals that creates what doctors call "cancer cells".

But if you forgive yourself and others you open the pathway to healthy living and happiness. The body becomes harmonious once again and the cells are able to function in the perfection they were created to function. You feel better which promotes good feelings which broadcasts as good vibrations which the universe in turn says, "you must like feeling good so here are some more things to feel good about."

So if anyone offended you in anyway, forgive them. If you are holding on to guilt, no matter how deserving you minght think it is, be kind to yoursel and forgive yourself. Life is so much better when you forgive and release. I'm just saying, #igotissues. What about you? 🦋

MARTA - A Call for Action

Right now, MARTA has rolled out a new system, and they’re issuing updated breeze cards, requiring all passengers to transfer funds from their old cards to the new ones. While MARTA has given until October 2026 to make the switch, the expectation is that people do it online—registering and transferring funds themselves. But here’s the crisis: there are still segment of the population who may not have access to the internet. Many seniors and vulnerable citizens don’t have internet access and can’t complete this process. When they call MARTA to do the transfer, they’re being told they HAVE TO go online to complete the transaction themselves or to ask someone they know to help them do it. This leaves them stranded, confused, and frustrated. When they tell the representative that they don't have the capability to do that, the rep will take the information but will share that they dont know when the transfer will happen. For many, that is not acceptable. They need the funds transfered so they can use the new card, especially since the old card may no longer work.

MARTA, we need you to step up. Screen calls, prioritize seniors, and others who don't have access to do it themselves and provide a human touch so no one is left behind in this crucial transition. We’re counting on you. I'm just saying, #igotissues. What about you?

#MARTA #SeniorAccess #DigitalDivide #TransitForAll #InclusiveTransit #SeniorsDeserveAccess #HelpSeniors #MARTATransition #EquitableTransit #CallForAction