REFLECTION: Another Chapter Closed

I finally closed another chapter in my school life, and I have never been more excited about the change. Normally, I’m one that struggles with change, but this time, it’s different.

I have been waiting on this for probably my whole school career. Want to know why? I can choose what I focus on!!! YIPPIE. It may not be entirely but my future and purpose seem so much more promising, and attainable.

When I was in maybe the 5th grade, I realised that the secondary level was my last mandatory educational step, and after that, I ‘should’ know what I want to do and how to get there. Sounds familiar?

Many of my friends now may be preparing now for the working world, already are there or are making preparations to stay home, but… for me, this is what I longed for. University. And I know, many of you are thinking, “University has so many distractions and many don’t leave the same” but that is one of the things that excites me about it. It’s a part of life that many parents dread and also push. They want the doctors and the lawyers, but the “culture” there may change us. You know??

My graduation was on the 23rd of August and I really am excited that I left the secondary level and am now into a whole new ball field. My official orientation was on the 28th and I’m like, actually am doing this. I’m a semester in and

Now, I joined groups, I had pep talks, I did spring cleaning, I mentally prepped myself, and I read and watched a lot of videos on preparing for University and just, this adulthood experience that I can’t tap in and out of. #IWish

I’ll soon look at shocking realities that hit me when University started in another blog, but in the meantime, follow me as I reflect on a story or two on the past 7 years of my school life. (Wow. That’s almost half of my life so far…)

---

Let’s Reflect…

The first 5 years were a total wake up call for me. I know. What’s an 11 year old gonna learn surrounded by 12 and 13 year old’s you may ask? Too much and that’s exactly it. I attended an all-girls institution for most of my high school life and that came with of course it’s own pros and cons. (I’m just thinking about how I’ll have to do a Part 2 because there is a lot to discuss).

My Best Memories

Now for those that don’t know my ‘Guardian Angel’ experience, that was one of my fondest memories and I posted it. You can check that out here.

---

At my first orientation, I was excited. I saw a school that in my mind at the time was probably 50 times the size of my previous school. It was like a whole island in Jamaica !! They had their own library, so many cafeterias and more teachers than I can even count. This was all exciting to me. I knew NO ONE. Well, except about 2. And I saw only blue tunics, no guys and I thought, ‘maybe it’s not so bad’. Keep in mind, this is coming from a girl that only had male friends… (Many stories are coming to mind from this statement alone). The principal at the time said something that day that stuck with me to thick day (because I was really slim trim), “Welcome Class of 2018”. It was such a profound welcoming. I thought and worked towards that every day of my life. I never forgot how much those words were motivating to me. She was treating us as if we are where we were closing this chapter. It’s like seeing the ending from the beginning. Such a beautiful feeling.

---

This is a sad one… I fell ill in the 7th Grade and I went to the nurse. Now everyone that went to my school knows that the nurses were not exactly ideal for illnesses. Haha. The irony. I went and I was just told to head back to class. I was feeling excruciating pain in my stomach and I felt dizzy. She asked if I had eaten breakfast and because I didn’t, she told me to get something from the cafeteria and I did. I bought a bun and cheese and a Tropicana. (My sisters are cringing. They don’t like bun and cheese, outside of Easter bun).

I headed to class and as difficult as it was to do this, I had a friend that was there following me to the nurse, for the snack and then back to classes (Shout out to those friends). I tried eating as slowly as possible because deep in my heart and mind, I knew that this was not about to solve the issue that I was feeling… PhD in self-awareness. *crackles*

Then for the big incident… I brought up every ounce of food that went into my mouth. The gag is, I barely made it in the bathroom and it didn’t stop there. I had to go back to class as if nothing happened. All of this happened after I finished eating. RIP to that bun.

I decided then and there that the best thing to do was to call my dad. I left him a few messages and I told him what was happening. If I recall correctly, I had maybe one class or two before the day ended, so I wouldn’t be missing much from a school day. Since I threw up my lunch, I decided that it was best that I buy something else since my stomach was empty, so I bought a box lunch just to take it with me.

My dad came to me and we went to the doctor. She wanted to run some tests on me but there were some… limitations I’ll call it. Turns out that I was dehydrated… I never knew that was even possible with me. I don’t know why I didn’t think so but I did. I also learnt that eating bun and cheese was NOT the best thing to do. My doctor told me to start with just liquids. She recommended that I buy some coconut water and maybe crackers at the supermarket so that I can munch on it a bit.

I had to go back to church because my dad works there (my sentiments to all those blessed with parents in the ministry) and I got the stuff and waited for my mom to get to church as well. I told her all about it and of course, she gave me the worried motherly hug. She went with me to the supermarket to get the coconut water and back to church.

A friend of hers came and saw us and eventually, we all began talking for a good moment. I told her what had happened at school that day and she said something along the lines of, “You are going to eat before you get home. That is leaving today”. Now, I think that was when hunger slapped me, because. she told me after she prayed to go and eat the lunch that I had brought. Boom, I was eating almost normal again. I had to be patient with myself but I did complete it in good measure. Amen. That was a good experience in the end.

---

Now this one is one I reminded my dad about on my way home the other night… A few of my friends and I decided to go to Domino’s Pizza with a few coupons, to close the first year on a good note. (I am now randomly remembering that my credit (or minutes for int’l people) was wasted because the phone I had at the time accidentally called one of the girls during General Assembly. #tears) Although we weren’t that close, to begin with, (don’t even ask me why we went together. At this point there is a high possibility I was targeted and I was used) we all decided to put our money together, take the bus and head down to the mall. I didn’t really have an issue going there because it was right in front of where my dad worked (church) and that is exactly where I am headed anyways right? Sorry to that girl.

NOBODY: PETER X3:

So we get to the pizza place until we have a minor hiccup, we are short about $50.00 to complete our order. Now, I didn’t even need extra cash because it was a Friday, I’m going straight to my dad’s office to finish his lunch for him (a part of helping the community of course, I did my time) and I just took the one bus from school there. The others all had to take the bus to go to their respective homes right? So, two of them decided they would keep their cash ($20.00) and the other young lady we were with was to give up her bus fare to cover the expenses and we would get her back her fare to her in due time right after. To this day I am happy that it wasn’t me. I was really confused as to why we couldn’t just ask a stranger to make up our pizza money or … you know do without? I felt like a whole accessory to harassment. UGHH.

She ended up having to follow me to my dad to get cash to take the bus back home. When I asked my dad if he remembered he said that he doesn’t quite remember the cash story, but he only remembers asking her if her parents knew where she was. And, come to think of it, that could have really been a bad day if she didn’t come home in time or come home okay. The first thing they would ask is, “did her parents know where she was going?” Mann.

---

Wait… This is the END OF STORY TIME?

I am sorry guys, but what fun would come from posting them all at once? Besides, I have like Coursework and Assignments to do now.

I just felt the attitude leaving your body.

---

I do hope you guys have been enjoying this journey with me and have been telling your family and friends about this girl that is spitting facts on a daily. In Part 2, I will be sure to mention the WORST MOMENTS, because we all have those moments in High School.

SIDE-NOTE (I say this in almost every Blog LOL): I should have posted a blog about my first week in Uni, I know, my family been asking me about it too…

BUTTTT…You know I never disappoint and as soon as I get to settle in well, I will stick to my posting schedule and have you guys hearing from me as often as you check your notification screen with no messages. Go talk to Jesus, He wouldn’t archive you. *USER ‘Corny Christian Jokes’ has entered the Chat*

Until then, I will see you guys on my socials doing yall thing, going to your online classes, aiding personal growth and exfoliating. Bye guys, I love you all so much. *Holds back tears behind the screens so I can do it later when you all are sleep*.

---

Song Recommendation of the Week goes to my good friend Lucas Musiq. YOU ARE WELCOME!! Tell him I sent you. Check out his social media right here.

~🇯🇲 The CreatOR creatED a creatIVE – Queen Ruthie 🇯🇲~