I survived my 10 year high school reunion

Bwoy, I tell you. When I heard that Campion College was having a 10 year reunion the feelings of cynicism and apathy set in. High school is never usually the easiest time of any child's life and going to a school where there was an evident distinction of the 'in crowd' made it even more difficult. So, the thought of facing those people who ignored you, who laughed at you, who made your life at high school one that you suppress in the back of mind where most bad memories are stored was to say the least - frightening.

But as the picture shows you, I'm not dressing up for fun, this is proof that I survived my 10 year high school reunion and I was smiling at the end of it. To be honest, it was great seeing most people. Some people were still stand-offish, and that's their prerogative. But for the most part, I was able to hug and smile and be friendly with most of the people that were there. I must admit, I was bad with names and even worse with some faces - but I think I got around to meeting and greeting most of the persons there and remembering most of those who went to high school with me.

The best part was really seeing people and seeing how we've changed (and some of us haven't). And just seeing the strides that we've made in the 10 years since we left 5th form was encouraging. But the thing is that I am glad that I overcame the fear and went. I went through ups and downs of indecision and apathy. But like someone said - you only have a 10 yr reunion once! And I don't know want the next few years will bring. I don't know who will be around for the next reunion (if there is one). So I want to thank the reunion committee for taking the initiative to organise this event. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be - in fact it was one of the best nights I've spent out for a while. Even with the apathy and cynicism that it was met with when you spoke to people about attending - the turnout was good and the vibes was good. The cliques still formed, but hey over 100 people can't all be friends can they?

I don't know why I fly with Air Jamaica

Coming home for the holidays, is supposed to be a joyous time of the year. You look forward to seeing your family (most of us do). I looked to forward to seeing my baby nephew. I took a longer journey home, because that's all that I could afford. So I came from London Heathrow to JFK airport and from JFK to Kingston. I flew with American Airlines from Heathrow to JFK, and that went smoothly. Though there were stingy with likkle wata, God bless dem - dem did give us food, even crackers and cheese as snack.

Got to JFK, got both my bags. Went to the American Airlines transit desk (as was suggested by the check-in agent at Heathrow) and asked them to send them to Air Jamaica. Well somewhere between Terminal 8 at the transit desk at Terminal 4 at the Air Jamaica check-in desk, my bags disappeared! Even though, the facety check-in agent at JFK declare seh she nah check mi in unless she know the weight of the bags. Somet'ing mi nevah know, but she declare mi mus' know! Anyhow, she eventually got the information she wanted and she gave my seat number.

Being Air Jamaica, of course it was delayed. I think its new slogan should be 'plummeting from new heights' but I guess that wouldn't fit the chirpy jingle that annoys when I get on the plane. Arrived in Kingston, the immigration lined had reached outside the immigration hall and was by the departure lounge! So that was over an hour, and it was every man fi himself. The security people just stare pon us so like them fool-fool. When to claim my bags, and just saw a pile of bags that the baggage handlers had taken off the carousel and placed on the floor. I searched through them, as best as I could, but it was just chaos. I couldn't find my bags. Waited there for over an hour and didn't see my bags. One of the baggage handlers guys said that no more bags from my flight were coming. So I had to join the ever increasing line at baggage services. For the all the years I've been travelling I never once have to join this line. And once again, the security people just look pon us fool-fool and it was every man for himself.

So the guy at the baggage services desk said that my bag should arrive in a day or 2. And that definitely, it should arrive by Christmas! Comforting huh? Anyhow, I just wanted to get my claims receipt, go home, have a shower and go to bed. I'd been up for over 20 hours, with less than 3 hrs sleep.

Anyhow, when I got home, I had this amazing peace about my bags. I was annoyed that Air Jamaica decided not to pack my allowed two pieces of luggage and pack other people's excess luggage. But I knew that God is in control and He would take care of things. Well, when 3 days came and Air Jamaica could not find anything - there was no record of my bags on their system. I admit, I was getting concerned. And I was sharing with my friend Kris that it is like you've lost a child and you just want to know where it is! My mom was praying, my boyfriend Chris was praying, Kris was praying. I was also praying, but sometimes the situation overwhelms you so much that you can't even focus properly on prayer.

But on Monday (the 18th) I found out that one of the bags was in a warehouse in JFK airport. By the evening of the 18th it was in Jamaica! I bounced down the stairs and told my mom. But I still couldn't find one bag. So I decided to go down to baggage centre to collect the bag that I knew was there and do a physical check for the one that was not on the system. Waiting and waiting at the baggage centre, then when they called my number - the attendants carried out both my bags! I wanted to hug the lady so much. And I just smiled and thank God for His grace and His mercy in the situation. Nothing in my bag was missing! All my family's Christmas presents were there! And even before this, God had restored my joy and said to me that I had persevered and done all that I could possibly do and now I needed to leave the rest to Him. And I did. Tears of joy and relief just flowed from my eyes and I just praised God in tongues, because this is a miracle. For 4 days my bags were lost, no one knew where there were - but God knew. And He kept watch over them and returned them to me. And this is one test that has lead to an amazing testimony!

Checking in....

I cannot believe that the last time I posted a blog was in August! I remember when I started doing this blogging business, my friend Kirk warned me that I would never be able to keep it up. Well, I managed the first the few months, but now that I've moved to Staffordshire with no internet connection at home, it's proven very difficult.

This is the first time in years that I haven't had regular access to the internet. Where I can go 3, 4 days without checking my email. The first week after I moved to Staffordshire, I suffered severe internet withdrawal symptoms. My new laptop has WIFI and I decided to test it out. So I logged on at home, and in seconds my laptop found a wireless network that I could use! I called Chris with excitement saying that I have internet access at home! I've found a wireless connection, no more isolation from the outside world. He was quick to point out that what I had in fact done was 'hack' into someone else's wireless network that wasn't protected, therefore making it illegal. How quickly my bubble burst. Now, I cycle to the library, trying to beat the over 60s to a computer so that I can use it for an hour. Oh, how my life has changed!

How's it been Staffordshire so far? Well, it's different! It's very quiet. Not many students around. A lot of cats! But at least you don't have to watch where you're walking for vomit (as in Leeds), instead you look out for dog poo! But just over the bridge where I live is some lovely countryside (Rosliston). I am now commuting to Leeds once or twice a week. And I now found myself waking up at 5am to catch a 6:25am train so that I can be on time to teach my 10am tutorial. By the time I catch the 5:10pm train home, I just want to have dinner and go to bed. And usually that's what I do.

Oh! I've also learnt to ride a bicycle! Well, re-learn to ride one. I haven't ridden on a bicycle since I was age 8 or 9. A couple from the church that I go to, gave me their daughter's old road bike. When I tried cycling up a hill with this old, steel frame bike, I thought that I had done some permanent damage to my legs. I cycled to church, sweating pouring from my face (in Autumn), legs throbbing. Sitting down and standing up were both painful. And I felt that I would never be able to get the knack of cycling again - or at least that it wouldn't hurt so much.

And God has been doing amazing things in my life! I don't even know where to begin! First of all, I'm blessed to be in the church that I'm in now. Chris and I go to the same church, and it's such a blessing to be able to see him everyday. And to be honest, this is the happiest I've been since I been in England (5 years in January). I've written 2 chapters in a month and a half. That's about as much as I wrote in 2 years! But I believe in a supernatural God who can work beyond human logic and can give you the strength when you need it the most. And I just feel this tremendous peace, that I haven't felt in such a long time. I thank God that He has given me this opportunity and I look forward to telling you more about what He's been doing. Well, that was why I started this blog after all.

God bless

Lots of love

Julie