KIFFRA SOLOMON

Ever tried writing about yourself, whether as an exercise in an English class (I once had an assignment to create my own eulogy and at the time, I just wanted to die) or perhaps for your profile? Not too easy, is it? Well, it's a similar position in which I find myself as I write this. So I've decided that there's no way I can truly capture my spirit and essence by listing my achievements, all the qualifications I have and all the things I've done. I mean they have their respective places, but I find that what lies at the core of one's being is way more than the number of years they spent in college or university.

Well, after being an outlet initially, I realized that writing came naturally for me and that it gave me immense pleasure. I suspect most of that pleasure came from knowing I was good at it and that it required very little effort. I've been blessed enough to have had jobs which have involved writing, including a long stint in television production.

Yes, I was a television producer and scriptwriter. I still am, actually! Plus I find some time in the middle of that to lecture as well. I know – that's a lot of hats for one head. I enjoy what I do though. There are no words to describe standing in front of a set of new students for the first time, going through your lesson plan for a course and watching the looks of complete bewilderment on their faces, because surely, "Miss mad", then looking at those same faces weeks later when their television script which can easily rival anything on the world stage receives due accolades, and months later when they trip over the hems of their oversized gowns at graduation and recount just how much they hated you in that initial encounter. Oh, the joy!

I find pleasure in the simple things in life – an ice-cold glass of limeade, playing games in the backyard with my young nieces and laughing. Boy do I love a good joke, and I tell my fair share too! I march to the beat of my own drum, and unabashedly laugh at my own jokes. Other things that give me pleasure? I love sports, nearly all of them, but cricket has a special meaning for me, as I bonded with my father over countless hours of watching the sport.

This seems like a good enough place to stop for now, doesn't it? Just in case you're wondering, and I'm pretty sure someone is because I'm also clairvoyant, I secretly wish I were a dancer. Perhaps there's room on my head for just one more hat...