AS TOLD TO BC PIRES

My name is Daniell Moore and I’ve lived in France for the last two years.

Everyone thinks my first name is misspelled but my parents deliberately added an extra ell. I don’t know why they wanted me to get so much trouble at the Licensing Office, lol. The name comes from Hebrew origin and means “God is my strength.” All that matters is the pronunciation and (that it) comes from the biblical story of Daniel in the lion's den.

I miss my parents and my sister terribly and also my grandparents. I thank God for the time I have with all of them. I’m not married and have no children.

I consider myself a Maraval man to heart. That is where I was born and spent most of my life apart from a few years in Santa Cruz. That is my home. Its cool, lush greenery and sociable people, it’s busy and everything is within proximity. I live now in the suburbs of Paris.

I was raised Roman Catholic. I did everything from baptism to first communion and finally confirmation. While I may not be a “praise the Lord” man, I am still a believer. Faith is one of the most important things in this world. I don’t go to church as often as I should but I still say my prayers and give thanks every day. My faith played a valuable role in where I am today.

After Sacred Heart Boys RC, I am proud to have gone to my alma mater St. James Secondary School. UWI St Augustine taught me about regionalism and what it means to be a Caribbean man.

I have all my seven CXC passes, CAPE passes, a degree, three diplomas and I’m about to start grad school. I was disappointed I didn't get the CXC results I’d hoped for but I take responsibility for not applying myself the way I should have.

I would like to think there is an afterlife after we depart this Earth. Giving people hope they will soon be at peace with God and everything will be all right.

I read, very often. I love real-life biographies. My favourite book is Sidney Poitier’s autobiography, The Measure of a Man. To see a person of colour from the Caribbean break barriers in Hollywood and reach the top, while maintaining his humility, decency and sense of honour, is something we should all aspire to. We can all make it to the top no matter where we come from.

Music is a place I go to, depending on how I am feeling. Music touches your soul, influences and just connects with you on so many levels. I like music that brings people together, promotes positivity and has a decent life experience message. My favourite musicians include General Grant, Mighty Shadow, Black Stalin, David Rudder, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin and American Rapper TI.

My favourite colour is blue. The colour of Chelsea. The best football team in the world.

[caption id="attachment_1010078" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Daniell Moore says Paris was the polar opposite to what he envisioned or even saw on television. "The environment, social life, mannerisms, behaviour, the language. It was all so new, so fast-paced." -[/caption]

Paris was the polar opposite to what I envisioned or even saw on television