What is your greatest childhood memory?
When I was younger, I couldn’t differentiate dreams from reality. I had this one dream where I actually thought I could fly, and for days after I was trying to remember how to do it.
I even went to the extreme of demanding that my mum sit and watch as I tried to take flight and to a large degree what I have taken from that memory about dreams being a part of reality continues to shape my outlook today.
What is your most fabulous moment?
A fabulous moment? I would have to choose between two: there was the time I was modelling at my first major catwalk in London a few years ago because the dress looked fabulous; but a time that I felt my most fabulous would have to be getting dirty J’ouvert morning – best party I’ve ever been to.
What keeps me passionate is . . .
Looking back in the past and seeing where I came from, where I am now, where I am going and the places that the journey to success has taken and continues to take me.
My biggest regret is . . .
I know you’re not supposed to regret because everything
in life happens for a reason. However, I would have to say wasting my time worrying about unnecessary details, which quite frankly are not a part of the bigger picture. It’s so important to live according to your own truth because to fulfil my mission in life is what matters most. I figure that as long as that’s intact, the rest is secondary.
The person who has made the biggest impact on my life?
Two again . . . . My son and my fiancé. I am quite a traditionalist and believe it is paramount that families do their best to stick together. This aspect of my life has taught me patience, balance and love. But most of all, patience!!!
A life-changing moment happened when . . .
When I gave birth to my son Nahjuah. Watching him grow is fascinating and even hilarious at times and reminds me of the beauty of innocence.
My most treasured possession is . . .
My laptop and access to Internet. As a PR officer, it is important to my career that I maintain communication with the world at large and so having a computer I can travel with is essential for success in my career.
How did I ever exist without . . . ?
The Creator. That would be the honest answer. I thank Him for everything good that happens for me, yet I understand when He has lessons to teach. This principle guides, strengthens and protects me when the going gets tough and so He is an incredibly important factor in my life.
What I love most about myself now is . . .
I have learnt the importance of work-life balance. I think that to a large part Barbados has taught me the importance of this state of being and it is something which we take for granted in the chaos and energy of London living. My horizons are much bigger now and as my horizons become larger, so does my passion for life. I notice more of the good things about life and travel in that direction, but I think what I like most about myself is that I realize my ability to create my own reality.
You’re a model, you work in journalism and you do public relations. Do you believe that you need to pick one career type and stick to it?
I don’t believe you have to pick one thing and do it. I think people are much more dynamic and talented. For me, I thrive on keeping myself active and my mind engaged. I like to challenge myself and push myself beyond my own limits, full of that energy inside me that competes with myself so that I never get bored. It keeps you passionate as well and helps to confirm the direction I am moving in.
As a mother dealing with work and career, how do you handle it?
I do the balancing act as a team, that’s why my family unit is so important to me. When I say my family unit, that is my fiancé, my son and myself. If I didn’t have that family unit, it would be an uphill struggle.
How has it been being in Barbados these past few months?
I’m British by birth, so being in Barbados is new to me, and I don’t have family here. It’s been quite enlightening and refreshing. I find that in London there’s so much going on and so many messages that you’re bombarded with and competing with every day, so it’s nice to come to Barbados and take that break. Being here helps me to think with clarity as well. At times, London can be a somewhat unnatural environment to be in. Don’t get me wrong, it has its perks and its beauty, especially when the sun is shining. But I love the outdoors, and Barbados offers me a bit more in terms of being able to go to the beach, work and enjoy life. You have to work life into your schedule in London because you live to work and you can forget to live. Life here in Barbados is happening at the same time as work.
You have a four-year-old son. What do you want your legacy to him to be for the world that he will face in the future?
My son is enrolled at a school in Britain, but I’ve decided to homeschool him here for the time being. It’s important for me to pass on the knowledge and that he develops his thinking faculties. For obvious reasons I want him to be able to think for himself and solve problems for himself, and stand on his own two feet. Because at the end of the day, there are going to be rough times but I want to give him life skills so that he’s able to deal with the world and the different characters he’ll encounter.
I want him to be ready for the world. I want to make him learn values and morals. I want him to be well-rounded and learn the value of hard work and life as well. Even the fact that he’s been able to come to Barbados and live a life abroad, I think that’s so special and it makes me really proud as a parent.
