So it has been about 2 weeks. Dean tun bway ya now. Di big bad storm did not hit us but it sure did mek we know seh a him run bout ya pon august 19th.

So the rain started from Saturday night. It wasn't much but at least we knew that a storm was coming, and it rained into the bleaky Sunday morning. Preparing for storm, I had to make sure dinner was prepared, all dishes were clean, candles on standy-by, oil in the lamp and all was well anticipating the passing of Dean.

I sat online and milked every last minute of the internet knowing full well that power was going to be history any time after 10am and not knowing at all when it would be back. 10 o'clock came, and so did 11,12 and 1 but shortly before 2pm it was lights out. I rushed to hold my final good shower because with light gone, water was sure to be next.

So Dean stood me up I thought, he should have been here by midday. It was now well after 3pm and it was almost like nothing was going to happen. I waited and waited until I finally decided to take a nap. By the time I woke up, water was gone and Dean seemed to be here (or @ least I guess!).

So camera phone in hand, I decided to record a few bending trees but unfortunately, I missed a piece of flying zinc. I figured from my veranda, I wouldn't catch much action so I decided to stop and take refuge inside at my door steps. Sitting beside my father's parked car, I had flashlight and phones in hand while I kept tabs on the mop, the bucket and the water that was trickling under the back room door.

Luckily for me, even though I had turned my cell phones off to preserve the fully charged batteries, my land line service was ongoing and I could at least keep in contact with my best friend.

Where is Dean? We questioned each other. Yes it was raining and yes the wind was heavy but Ivan was a category 3 and he seemed more forceful. The only communication we had about the storm was from the radio and the announcers themselves seemed to be in the dark too. So I decided to enlist the services of my friend in Miami to be my personal weatherman. And his first report stated that Dean had long passed Kingston with the eye offshore and was inching his was towards St. Elizabeth and heading away from Jamaica.

So eventually Dean was gone, we were in the dark, had nothing but rain water, the silence of the night and anticipation for the light of day.

Water by Monday, electricity by Wednesday, we all feared well and we must give thanks.

Mi have di broom fi sweep it out, ready and waiting but I am hoping it doesn't come in at all!

As Hurricane Dean makes its approach to my island home, the prospects don't look too good. Described as a "Monster" and currently at a category four stage, it is expected to make landfall in Jamaica as a category five hurricane. Isn't that the strongest of storms?

Jamaica just cannot deal with that. We are nowhere near prepared. Nowhere. The Prime Minister has already made her appeal for foreign aid and we are still under a Hurricane watch.

In recent times, countless storms have threatened the island, but have managed to whirl away from us. As such we have adapted this mentality of "Jamaica bless". But that lackadaisic attitude just cannot work now, considering what Dean is expected to leave in its path.

I myself have not wasted any time. I have done as much as I can possibly do and I still do not feel that sense of safety and security. Whereas within the fences of my yard, all may be well, I am broadening my scope of thought to include my fellow Jamaicans. Not only that but all the activities that will take place outside the walls of my home and their subsequent impact on my well-being over the next few days at least.

So I sat at work on Friday night and thought to myself. I can man this storm. All I need is my internet connection and I'm good. But what internet connection without electricity?...LOL.

As Dean continues to steadily veer towards us and with the winds picking up outside as I type, I can only hope for lives saved, and the strength to pick up the pieces after what is certain to be a disaster.