Ashley's blog updates!

[Batty_gyal]

Ok so figured I will treat this as a running blog...updates on me!!

I'm here and stuff seems to be coming along. But lemme tell you...its not easy. Anyone thinking of ever running any business in JA beyond taxi's should know that everything here is one step forward...three steps back. You learn a whole heap of patience...and a strong set of confrontation skills hahahaha!!

The shop is coming along nicely...laying the tiles down today which are BEAUTIFUL!!! Its a bit slower than we planned, though we are hoping to open next monday if all goes well! Met our neighbours today..and to my surprise..thought they were all locals..turns out we are all foriegn..including our landlord who is British. My nearest neighbour is an American Jamaican....he's pretty chill and opening a pizza place. We all get along great. It's like the foriegn support group LOL!!!

Our house is nice....still getting set up but it's big and close to Stay_Iries yard!! Our landlords name is Mr. America LOL!!!


Got our car yesterday. Its cute..white with a black hood and spoiler. The boys want to put a loud muffler thing in...so our car is gonna be obnoxious much to my horror. Won't be hard to know when we are around!!

It was hard following Ainsley back from Kingston in the rental car tho...he drives like a mad man. Traffic was bad due to a gang shooting and Ainsley had me zipping in and out of cars and along the side of the road like a crazed women..and all the way back on that windy kingston highway. Was kinda scary but fun.

The shooting however...disturbing. I think alot of people are disillusioned about the island and the real danger level. Its not just some fantasy island for old ladies who want to date babies....or people who want to sun worship on the beach..or nice family get aways. The resorts are another world. Though I'm glad they bring business to the island.

This was my first time seeing dead bodies outside the hospital and it left me feeling ill. It makes me more than ever..aware of the real struggles of this country. All the blood...and people just stand there and watch and block up traffic.

Scary!!

Anyways...other than that I'm very happy. Loving being a newlywed with my awesome husband...loving being here and knowing I don't have to go home. BEST FEELING EVER!!! Still in a bit of shock that this is all happening.

So hoping to build the counters and get the rest of our supplies in the next five days and then...the big day...the grand opening!! Gonna be the coolest day ever!!!

More to come soon....

[jellybean]

Glad to know things are coming along - what sort of business are your opening and where? You will soon be driving like a Jamaican.

[Rose21]

Good to know your okay Ashley, just be careful and good luck with the business.

[ECO]

Cool that everything is coming together for you Ashley!

1. PM me the town that you are living in if you don't want to post it.

2. Once you folks open your doors be sure to forward us your contact info and we will promote you on the blog part of the site.

3. If you buy a domain name ($7.00 a year with coupon) I can create a blog/site for you so tourists can find you. Some ideas at http://www.godaddy.com/domains/searchre ... gppt02a879

4. When you say "shop" is that for the taxi or are you operating a store front?

More questions soon come.

[Batty_gyal]

We are opening a shop. Eco I will PM you as that all sounds great. We are opening a shop..not Taxi's....its not quite that easy to exist off just a taxi and have a life...something I was totally naieve about before. Ainsley and I eventually would like to own numerous businesses. We already have a second one kinda on the go in the near future. Once this one is up and running...a second business is highly likely..already in the talks and we are waiting on a few final details before it goes into action. Its crazy. I went from simple life...to this...and its all working out...its frusterating..but its working out and I'm in awe!!

I would love it if you would advertise it on this site Eco...that would rock my world. How do I buy the domain name??

Well the past two days I've been everywhere getting stuff. We were in Montego bay yesterday getting our business liscence...then down to Port Antonio...was there for the night and then to Port Maria...tommorow to Kingston I believe...all while trying to do EIGHTY BILLION things at once. I'm learning huge multi tasking skills...balance likkle Anna on one hip..negotiate a business deal, and talk on the phone...plus three other things all at the same time. Mommy duty and business and trying to set up a house all at the same time...ahhhhhhhhhh!!!

We got most our supplies and the shop slowly coming togeather!! Its incredibly exciting. Getting to know alot of people...so its slowly starting to feel like home. People know I live here now so their attitudes are slowly changing. I don't get the tourist hustle as much...and people say Good morning and greet me by name now...it's a nice feeling!!

Anna is playing Dora the explorer with Ainsley on the computer next to me...this little girl has so much personality. She is the coolest kid ever!! I'm just loving life you guys..seriously!! Its wierd..sometimes I wake up in the morning and can't believe I'm here. I passed the airport yesterday for the first time without dread!!

Anyways thanks for the support guys. Eco will give you the details on teh shop as soon as our business name gets approved!! Thanks again so much!! Lemme know when any of you are coming down so we can link up!! PM me for details though.

I need to address something. I'm going to be polite...as this goes out to alot of people and I'm trying to be respectful and not a " douche bag".

And to set the record straight to address all the backchat..and I'm being respectful Eco so please don't delete this if you don't have to as no drama will come of it that I will cater to....my parents did give us a loan since the bank doesn't do over sea's financial loans...and my parents love me and support me. I wasn't afraid to introduce Ainsley to them...mostly because I didn't have kids the same age as my man!! They helped us get started with a loan that we are also paying back in monthly payments because they love me...and they support Ainsley and I and knew a young married couple with a likkle pickney to worry about..and knew we needed to start off here!! So no offense taken on that...I have a good man and I consider myself lucky!!

I am YOUNG....I can afford to take the risk of trying a new start here...I don't have teenage kids or kids newly in college to worry about...I don't have a job with years of senority..I don't have a morgage...and I don't have all the responsibilities of a older person. I'm twenty two...I'm young...this is the best time ever to do this. I think it's funny that people would make cracks about my parents helping me to get rid of me...my parents want me...they've both been in my life my whole life...they've supported me and my brothers through everything. Many young people need help to get a start.

My dad had my grandfather cosign a land loan and help with the first payment...now he owns a ton of land, a farm, animals, and has his own worldwide company. So nothing wrong with getting a little help in the beginning. I refuse to waste my life and suddenly decide to take action when I have so much to lose if it fails....and my parents respect that I have ambition at a young age. They know how hard Ainsley and I have worked on this...and while they know that I'm notorious for having a messy room, or sometimes procrastinating things terribly...they know I've put my everything into this..and that I would never let this chance go to waste.

So anyone who wants to know what our situation is..thats it. We did get some help to get started...as well as me putting every dime I had saved into it as well. I feel blessed to have been given a helping hand, and anyone who wants to hate on that let them. So I'm thankful I'm getting my life togeather at a young age..no mid life crisis where I try to start over from age twenty all over again for me. I'm praying I can get it right the first time!!

Thanks for the support to all those giving it..and for those who hang onto my every word and think everything is directed at them..its not..and if y'all want to waste energy thinking it is and getting riled up...gwaan and do so...but it a waste of your precious energy!! Maybe people shouldn't read my blog if they have no interest in my life unless its malicious. And all those who email me what others write...I don't want to hear it anymore...I don't care!! So please stop.


Take care all...next segment to come soon...


xx

[Irie]

Glad to know your doing okay!!

Rickys been updating me with things like the bed you bought, and your new car hahaha

[Irie]

P.S Ricky told me how close to my yard yuh were!

But now Ricky has his own place in steertown So we will be up the hill from you instead of a walk down the lane hahah

[jellybean]

Well done Ashley.

[Batty_gyal]

Ok so blog update time again. This one isn't gonna be to long. The shop is coming good..though a likkle slower than expected due to a few heavy rain falls. Its been fun. I am loving it here. It's alot different than expected...and it feels like normal life now. Been meeting alot of people...went out to dinner in Kingston last week and got to hang with Wayne Marshall and Don Corleon. Meet alot of the people in my area who kinda keep stuff running..made good business contacts which helps alot..and I have somebody big I might get to have a meeting with next month...keepin it on the down low for now but will post pics if and when it happens because its cool!!! Hehehe obviously I'm estactically excited..hence my rambling!

Went out on my first club night since coming here. Went to Assylum in Kingston and met Albatrosie and Gee Wizz who is AWESOME performing live!!



My little stepdaughters birthday is coming up..along with my mother in law's, my brother in law's and some other relatives. So we are planning a big joint party. I'm excited!!:D

I have a pretty awesome set of inlaws. You know I'm lucky...they treat me like family..as if I grew up here...instead of a lady from foriegn. I've been having a blast getting to know them..and spent about three days in kingston this week with my hubby and his family!!

Although I'm not sure I will ever get used to some of the violence in the area. Someone got shot near us while we were there and my mother in law tried to tell me I was just hearing fire crackers. I didn't have the heart to tell her I grew up in the country and knew how to shoot a gun from a young age. I know the difference between fire crackers and gunshots. I think that's what makes me most sad about this island...the amount of senseless violence. Every country has it but you encounter it more on the island because it's a smaller place than a huge country like Canada and your in close quarters with everyone.

Its been great. I love waking up to my awesome husband every morning....and cuddling with him at night. I love being married. We have fun...we just click so well....its like we were made for each other. I used to think my hubby was shy but since moving here I realize that he has more personality than most people I've ever known. He's a whole new man...its great. We do alot of spontantious things...like one day we went into town to get something and randomly decided to drive to Kingston and stayed a few days.

I love our old married drives where we go like ten miles an hour and I stick my feet out the window and cuddle up to him and stare up at the stars.....I love our random adventures. It's great. This is how married life should be. I'm so lucky! Anyways....the shop is coming good..we have lots of great future plans. Its awesome!!!


I will update you all soon!!

[ECO]

I'm glad it's working out for you!

Are you going to get a gun permit once the shop opens? If so buy a shotgun and we can shoot skeet when I come to visit Tell Ainsley we said hello and wish the two of you good luck and such.........correction, the 3 of you.

[Irie]

ahhh Alborosie <3 Hes an Italian Rasta, hes sick.
Awesome youve got a few shows in there!

[Batty_gyal]

Heheheh I can't confirm or deny whether we are getting guns with our business permit....hehehe!! But I will keep the shotgun suggestion in mind!!

Reeevaaaa soon come you will be here...totally excited!! How are you girl?

[Irie]

Moving soon, and going to school in September!
Mii cyahn wait.
Im good tho..

[Batty_gyal]

Ok so update time. For all concerned..meant no offense in my blog posts...have settled things with Reeva. Was unaware I was doing wrong...so sorry to Eco for bringing drama on this forum.

In a bit of shock today. Three young men tried to rob the Cambio Western Union on main street of Ochi..right by Rooms on the beach and the gas station. Ochi is like the most security tight town ever...so it was like a suicide mission to begin with. The bodies were cleaned up super quick due to the fact that cruise ships are in today and a few of them witnessed the whole thing. Kinda freaky.

Life is busy as always. Picking up my friend Katie from the airport tommorow and my daughter on wednesday for the month...and my parents are coming the beginning of next week and the shop opens hopfully on the sixteenth. So much is going on. Anna just turned three on Dec. 3rd. Had a barbie cake...it was a tough choice between Dora and barbie..but barbie won hahaha!

Saturday believe it or not was my first time to the beach since coming here. Ainsley was kind enough while walking under the powerline to point out the mafia of spiders nesting in them. I've had nightmares ever since. Some are bigger than my hand...nearly peed my pants in fright lol!!

[Batty_gyal]

..not sure why i just clicked submit but not to much else to say...will update again soon!! Miss some of y'all!!:)

[LadySizzla]

Ok so update time. For all concerned..meant no offense in my blog posts...have settled things with Reeva. Was unaware I was doing wrong...so sorry to Eco for bringing drama on this forum.

In a bit of shock today. Three young men tried to rob the Cambio Western Union on main street of Ochi..right by Rooms on the beach and the gas station. Ochi is like the most security tight town ever...so it was like a suicide mission to begin with. The bodies were cleaned up super quick due to the fact that cruise ships are in today and a few of them witnessed the whole thing. Kinda freaky.

Life is busy as always. Picking up my friend Katie from the airport tommorow and my daughter on wednesday for the month...and my parents are coming the beginning of next week and the shop opens hopfully on the sixteenth. So much is going on. Anna just turned three on Dec. 3rd. Had a barbie cake...it was a tough choice between Dora and barbie..but barbie won hahaha!

Saturday believe it or not was my first time to the beach since coming here. Ainsley was kind enough while walking under the powerline to point out the mafia of spiders nesting in them. I've had nightmares ever since. Some are bigger than my hand...nearly peed my pants in fright lol!!

good to hear from you Ash. I am so glad no-one ever pointed out those spiders to me when I was there as I would never have been able to stay there. Ignorance is bliss. Keep smiling!

[ECO]

Point out the spiders to me when I visit I would love to see them.

[LadySizzla]

Point out the spiders to me when I visit I would love to see them.

*shudders*

[Batty_gyal]

Yes well I was rather unimpressed LS lol!! Eco....Ainsley can happily point them out to you as I refuse to walk under them without an umbrella covering me..let alone look at them long enough to point them out to you. I now realize what i ran into in the bush that one time. Horrifying!!!

[Batty_gyal]

Eco...when you visiting next?