The Start of Playing Catch up: September 2013

School started the first week of September. I was at school for the first week. I brought in new cow rope for skipping and some hoola-hoops. Then I peaced out to farin. I was very nervous to go home. I have become acclimated to daily life in Jamaica. I also knew I was going to be overwhelmed by the fast pace and commercial media thrown in my face. When I got home in Charlotte, I actually found I wasn’t. Not really.

Breakfast time with my frens

Plus it helped that my mom came home before me. The two of us went immediately to my Alum school and did the annual Pier to Pier swim!! It's in Wilmington, it's a fun event supported by the swimming community and my swim team participates! Plus its in memory of a room mate, team mate and friend who passed away in 2009. I totally floated that swim, the water was perfect for the swim too, temp was good, few waves AND BONUS CURRENT!!! Back in the day we had to book it regardless of conditions, understandably I was a D1 athlete then and other teams like UNC, State and Davidson, to name a few would also participate. The prizes weren't so bad either. I never got prizes. My mom did tho! (She's an open water fan). That ole' lady. You so fast fo yo age.This was also a trip to see my best best friends from UNCW and catch up and get some Wrightsville sun. I love you Wilmington! xoxo 

Dad soon followed in a couple days. The three of us tackled Charlotte together. To pack in as much family visits, we road tripped up to Chicago to see the bro. I also got to do a quick pit stop in Cincy to see Michelle, who I'd just seen in Wilmington. We also crashed with her to split the travel. 

Bro in front of a building at NWU

When we got to Chicago, we toured the campus. It was cool to see where my brother is currently studying his masters. I like Chicago. Plus! There were bicycle rentals everywhere. Really super awesome thumbs up. We celebrated an early birthday for him and had family time as the four of us.We cherish our unions very very much.

After Chicago, I traveled to Sarasota to visit the grandparentals, just me. It was good seeing them, as I hadn’t for several years. It was really chill. This was supported by the consistent rainfall. All day. Every day. That’s fine! They have DVR and we stayed indoors and watched the Daily Show and the news. My grandpa has a routine. At night I would steal the remote and his favorite chair to get his stink eye and a scowl. In jest, people! I respect my elders and returned said items...sometimes. We are a loving family with sarcasm.

grumps. i mean, gramps

I flew back to Charlotte to make it in time for one of my closest childhood friends to get married! I was a bridesmaid too, which secures my reason for going. Honestly though, this was what my trip home was about. I wasn't about to miss this ceremonial presence of love. Hooray to love and delicious food! 

When the bridesmaids and groomsmen stood awaiting the bride, we (the girls really) cried. Good Lord. Just ruining the make up the nice people skillfully placed upon us earlier in the day. A child relative came and gave us Kleenex; we tore it and divvied it up among us to look better for the photo documenter dude and lady. The wedding and reception were both beautiful. I was paired with the fun groomsman. This guy and I entered the reception by me catching a fish and reeling him in, its perfect style for a wedding.

the romantic wedding

being a bridesmaid with fellow friend and bridesmaid

I got my Taco Bell fix before leaving!

nom nom nom

After the wedding, I had to pack up and go back to Jamaica. The woman at security was concerned as I went,sobbing my eyes out, through the scanner . I wasn’t crying because I had to come back. I was sad I had to say goodbye to my parents again for an indefinite amount of time. Our reunions are maybe twice annually. I eventually got myself together to realize that I was on a flight with about 80% of the flight being honeymooners. Damn it. I suulked on plane until I sparked conversation with one of the many said newly weds. Then I peaced out public transportation/ small up style to home sweet Manchester.

whew. September done. get ready for a more consolidated version of the rest of the near 8 month blog hiatus. 

Up. Down. Up. Down. Up.

My sincerest apologies to those who supported my blog efforts, I had abandoned it due to sheer laziness. That’s as real as I can get on the excuses list, and I watched a lot movies and shows and my brain slowed down…okay enough with the excuses.

Today ignited my desire to blog again. It was an up. down. up. down. Up. kind of day. You can figure out what was an up and a down. I have a lot to catch you up on, but right now, I’ll start with today.

As I count down the weeks until I travel home and as the school is ending most of its major events and school celebratory days, ( May is Child’s Month) I have less work to occupy my time and thoughts. Therefore the thoughts of home (microwaves, washer dryers and the ability to drive a car) creep in this brain. Oh, not to mention how I’m about to dive head first in every clothing store! My clothes have had a two year hand-washing-sun-drying-ride my friends, they don’t look pretty. The initial walk to school had my thoughts on America whilst I trod along the winding roads of Bellefield. This is silly to be wallowing upon because Bellefield is gorgeous and such thoughts should be towards the lush banana trees and tempting mango ones as well as the rolling hills with farm land and cows and goats.

But then I remembered its Wednesday! It’s a breakfast programme ( british/ Jamaican style spelling right there folks) day. I went to assist and we fed 50 students fried dumpling and corn beefed with baked beans. The kids were very polite in receiving their bowls and utensils and tea. I enjoy this part of the day; I got to spend time with some caring adults and sincere children.

After the breakfast program, I went to my PE office and check on emails and news to sadly read that an amazing irreplaceable woman passed away today. Maya Angelou: An icon, an activist, an artist of strength and grace and so much more. I then began to look up her quotes and poems. I’m no good at talking about sad things. I can’t. But it gave reflection.

So I sought out the day to be patient and kind and patient. Lunch came around and today was grade 4 through ASTEP day to play basketball on the court. (yea! I helped my school get a court! Blog on that soon come). Only boys seemed to get on the court today. At first they were just lining up and shooting. But then they wanted to play a game. I was nervous because in past experience, this set of students can be rough. More grade 6 and ASTEP boys came, in particularly those who get categorized as the trouble makers. Be patient, I told myself.

They had so much fun with basketball. I saw team work and verbal communication and passing of the ball (I had to remind them of that, but they did it!). IT WAS AWESOME!! I only wished the lunch bell didn’t ring!

Afterschool running time:

I run with the students who walk to and from a nearby district which also has the flattest road in the area. It’s still hilly, but like I said, flattest. So I did that today. While we ran on the sides of the road, we heard a car approach and slow down. One girl trips on her undone shoes lace and the car stops. I go to brush her off. But the car is still there and the man driving is on the phone! I tell him to please be mindful of the road and as the abundant public announcements state driving and talking on the cell phone is a no no. He kissed his teeth and continued about his way. I am always protective of my children here. I didn’t care for his response. Thankfully the girl only had a booboo on her knee. 

I continued my run and get more than a handful of unwanted attention. After the cell phone man, I had built frustration layered with the hisses and yells. Good thing I still had 40 minutes of my run left to sweat it out. And I did, exercise is truly the best medicine.

 As I ran back in the rain, I realized it would be more difficult to travel to get produce from Mandeville. The drive is 20 minutes one way. I would have to catch a taxi and pile 4 in the back 1 in front. The later to travel the more sparse transportation will be.

Bummed on not having tomatoes for my dinner, I walk home.

Until!!

 A car filled with tomatoes is on the side of the road because of car issue. I asked the farmer if I could purchase some…and I got me 3 lbs of tomatoes! (Prances and frolicks!) Then, guess what- I continued my walking and I see carrots!! My neighbors’ front yard had a tarp with them and I inquired about those. I get me some carrots too! Ah! The universe answered!

So all in all, today was a more apparent display of the unexpected beauties of rural life. (with a side of frustration, but good won today.)

I’ll do better with this bloggery I promise.