It’s that time of the year. What time is that? Is it hammer time? NO! It’s Vacation time.
This time of the year you can feel it in the air. Everybody is talking about where they going for their summer vacation. Even kids in school are talking about what they going to be doing for their summer break. Some are going to visit grandparents, some are going fishing or hunting with their father. Some are going to intern at a job or school. Whatever it may be, we all can say I know what you did last summer, because even if we don’t go far, we will still take a vacation or a staycation. Either way we doing something to help us celebrate the break we have from work and school. I love traveling, even if it’s not far, just to stop the monotony of my life. I love music like the Ojays sing, so most of my vacations are centered around music. Whether it be festivals or concerts you can bet I will be there. This summer I planned a few little jaunts here and there. My first trip was to the Chicago Gospel fest. I’m also going to see EWF, Tower of power, and quite a few car shows. I love the adventure of going to a place I have never been. Meeting new people, experiencing different types of food, and hearing some great music. There is nothing like that no matter where I go. One of the many places I had on my bucket list was Jamaica, and it didn’t disappoint even as much as I have been there it still never gets old. I fell in love and that was before Winston. I love the weather because I love summer. I wish that I could live where it’s summer all year round like in Jamaica. The weather there is absolutely wonderful. The lush green island, with blue mountains overlooking the turquoise blue waters and white sandy beaches with palm trees swaying from a gentle breeze is absolutely beautiful. That’s why they call it paradise.
The best thing about Jamaica is the PEOPLE. They are so hospitable, happy, and helpful. No matter if you are a man or woman, black or white, they are there to be of assistance to you and they actually love doing it.
I know some people say they are nice because that’s how they make their money. Well, if that’s the case how come Americans are not nice. Good Service is at an all-time low here and yet they need their money too, I think, at least most of us do. So based on that theory, that can’t be why they are so friendly. I think the reason they are so friendly and attentive is because their parents taught them that they should treat people the way they want to be treated, and I really believe they love engaging with the people because like me, they like people and enjoy learning new things about other people and their culture.
JAMAICA WALK BY ON YOUTUBE
I find traveling so interesting. Mark Twain said that travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness and many of us need to travel so we can stop being so prejudiced. I believe that if we saw that people are just like us regardless of our race, ethnicity, age, or background, the world would be a better place. In other words, we all get hungry, tired, mad, sad, and discouraged just on different levels. I will be the change that I want to see in this world just by showing love to everybody in my little world. When I finally got to Jamaica, I met some of the nicest people, and we stayed friends for years. Writing every now and then and talking on the phone occasionally. As of today, I have been to Jamaica 5 times. Three times on my own and two times on a cruise. Cruising a song Smokey Robinson made years ago, said it best. “baby let’s cruise away from here” and that’s what I did. The funny thing is, I have always been scared of being in water especially since I can’t swim BUT GOD. By the time I went on the cruise I had learned how to float and swim backwards and had driven a boat. Won’t he do it, YES HE WILL.
People everywhere were giving me all kinds of advice about the cruise. Some said get some plugs for my ear, some said get some sea sickness medicine, but I decided to trust God and myself and I never took anything, and I was fine.
Yes, that’s me in the colorful dress with that handsome young man behind my God son on the Piano, the incomparable Jarrod Lawson on the Capital Jazz Cruise. I see why so many people love cruising. It’s the best, especially when you get the all-inclusive package which means that all your food, classes, parties, and concerts, are included. You are literally down the hall from the clubs, casino, and restaurants. You don’t need to drive or worry about a coat or hat, because everything you need is at your fingertips. It’s the old folk’s way of partying. It’s also the classy and lazy way, because once you reach a certain age, you’re not into going out to parties, but you still enjoy being with people and listening to good music. On a cruise it doesn’t take much effort, but you get all the fun with the least amount of work. I suggest to everybody take your vacation; self-love is the best love. Use your pto. What are you saving it for, unless they give you the money for it, then I can understand. We all need to refuel. You be surprised how much work you can get done after you take a break. Everybody talking about a mental break and that is great, but sometimes you need a break to just have fun. Remember when you were a child, and your curiosity got the best of you
and it took you on an adventure. Well, who said we couldn’t be a toys r us kid again. Try it you might like it and even start to appreciate your life. It’s good to have something to look forward to. Women know about this because they seem to have more fun planning for the wedding than the marriage. In Wisconsin, men look forward to hunting season all year long. Gathering stands, nuts, and beer. Sometimes just planning something will give you a new outlook and you can act brand new and break out the plastic fake façade that everything is good. People who brag about never taking a vacation like they so important sound slap crazy to me. If you want to get another perspective, check out the world around you and you will begin to feel compassion for people, and understand why people are who they are. Take a trip back down memory lane. Plan a trip and see what’s hip. Open up your mind, it’s been with you all the time.
I’m focusing on what’s next. Like I said women plan for the wedding ahead of time and that’s what I’m doing. I have traveled extensively, and I won’t stop now, but there are two places I will not go to. Hawaii and Italy, because I’m planning to go on my honeymoon to one of those places one day. I don’t know when and I don’t know who BUT GOD DOES.
