Dennie Quill, Contributor
WHAT A Leap Year this has been! Just when we thought we had seen the worst of 2004, with our leaping murders and mayhem, along comes Sunday's enormous earthquake in the Indian Ocean rim that triggered towering tsunami waves which may claim as many as 100,000 lives in 12 countries. Devastation of this magnitude is hard to fathom or analyse. And although the event took place nearly half a world away, this human tragedy draws us all together within the circle of sorrow.
The phenomenon of a tsunami is not well-known in our country. In fact, it is not well-known in the Indian Ocean itself, hence there is no warning system like there is in the Pacific Ocean. However, locals may recall that in 1998 many of us went scrambling for our dictionaries when Jamaica's most successful speller, Jodi-Ann Maxwell, spelt that word to win the local Spelling Bee Competition right before she went on to sweep the finals of the Scripps-Howard Competition in Washington, D.C. But this tsunami has unleashed such terror, wiping out entire villages and wreaking havoc that it will take years and years for some of these countries to recover. The damage to property and their tourism should add up to billions of dollars.
One welcomes the news that the regional disaster agency is having discussions with a view to establishing a tsunami early warning system in the Caribbean following concerns that something like this could happen here. I believe that even though only about four earthquakes have triggered tsunamis in the last 500 years, there is an urgent need for the nations of the Caribbean to pay special attention to future coastal developments. The destruction of resorts in the Indian Ocean rim is a powerful reminder of the forces of nature.
THE YEAR THAT WAS
But back to the happenings of 2004. Here at home, we have read of horrific motor vehicle accidents in the past few days and, of course, Madden's continues to be called to collect bodies all over the city. Murder and mayhem were the most significant features of 2004, as far as I can recall. For a time in the summer we were made to celebrate when our outstanding Olympic team put on a magnificent show over there in Athens, Greece. But Hurricane Ivan quickly wiped the smile from our faces and did a disaster dance for many on the south coast. Thank God, a leap year only comes along once every four years, technically.
Thankfully, every New Year gives us an opportunity to start over. It is no different in 2005. Tomorrow is a new year on the calendar and a new day in our lives. And despite the disappointments and broken dreams of 2004 when it comes round to this time of year, we resolve to do a number of good things quit smoking, lose weight, eat better, work more conscientiously, love our neighbours, save more, be faithful to our partners, spend more time with family, be better organised, etc. We are typically upbeat and optimistic at this time of year. Don't bother to beat yourself for not accomplishing much on last year's list. Just move along.
My advice: keep your list short this time around. In fact make one or two resolutions only, plan carefully how you will execute them and if during one week you falter, refrain from chastising yourself, instead pick yourself up and start again. For my part, this year I plan to learn something new. A new language is what I have in mind. I have French on my mind. I feel that challenging the mind will be a most rewarding exercise and it's an accomplishment that will make me proud. Next year this time, I will let you know how I got on. Here's wishing for you and yours a wonderful 2005. For what its worth, last year was the year of the Monkey for the Chinese and this is the year of the Rooster.
Dennie Quill is a veteran journalist who may be reached at denniequill@hotmail.com
