Y’all ready for this one? Make sure you are seated before you start reading, it is going to be a bumpy ride at take off, but smooth and lovely after.
It is time for JGHS class of 88 and friends annual Reunion recap.
As per usual my husband and I arrived on the beautiful island of Jamaica a day before the reunion. We stayed at one of the Marriott in the city. We headed to Port Royal for dinner, low and behold the wait time at Gloria’s was unacceptable, so we head to Usain Bolt’s restaurant, Tracks and Records. The food was reallllly good, service was what we expected, fast and friendly, like the owner. We head back to the hotel BECAUSE we know the following day would be loaded with activities and we also know our age, lol.
Ok, so Friday morning is up on us. We had divided the group into three houses, pink house, blue house and yellow house. We had cheer leaders for the houses. The cheers started before we got to school on Friday morning, it started in the group. Singing: Pink house, pink house, yes,yes, yes, can they beat us? no, no ,no. We beat them here, we beat them there, we beat them standing in the atmosphere. Hip, hip, hurray!! We got off to a bit of a late start, but, it was well worth the wait. People, we had a field day, yes, you read that right, we had a field day. The people them run 50 meters dash, jump sack race, run egg and spoon race, run lime and spoon race, gallop in the potato race, take off on the relay, swallowed in the bun eating competition, get dress and dash to the bus race, and so much more. People fall down, people knee slip out of place (they are doing ok), we are all feeling the effects of this day now, lol. Mi nearly choke in the bun eating contest, came in second place though. Individual medals were handed out after all the events of the day. People collected their gold, silver and bronze medals, even my husband walked away with a few medals (1 gold, 3 silvers and 1 bronze). We then headed to Tina’s Homestyle Kitchen “Curry Yard” for lunch. Lunch was delicious. My husband got a beet root juice that I am still waiting to get some; thanks to my BFF, Patricia, I tasted some of hers.
Chartered bus now loaded with full belly people, cars ready, we drove down to Riu Ochi Rios to get the rest of the weekend festivities started. But, the devil had other plans. Can I just say that I got to the hotel at 3:30pm and did not leave the lobby with my other committee members and guests until 10:50pm. All because the booking agent did not do what he was supposed to do. Nine guests did not have a room, we were all booked to leave the hotel one day before we were to leave and he had no intention to make the corrections. To this date we are still waiting for reimbursement for the room we had to pay for twice and for the one night for all 38 people. But I will leave that right there for now.
Saturday: My husband and I took two of my classmates to church with us. Service was awesome. The preacher spoke about preparing yourself for heaven. He spoke about his experience of not knowing how to read and write 14 years ago when he came into the SDA faith and because of this he did not participate in church activity, when he was asked to do something he would decline. However, he confided in an elderly gentleman who was an elder in the church that he could not read and write, this man placed him in a class with students who were studying for the CSEC and GSAT exam. The students did not know that he was there to learn to read and write, they thought he was just one of them. Today he can read and write and he preaches the word of God. Others stayed at the hotel and enjoyed the hotel activities.
Upon returning from church I joined with the rest of the committee members, my husband and BFF to get down to the business of decorating the ballroom. We did a great job with this, I believe, down to making a V out of an L because the pack came with two Ls and no V to make the word LOVE, I was not having any of that, o I got creative.
We met up in the dining area where we had dinner and hang around for a bit. We then went to the ballroom. People, people, mek mi tell unnu sinting, shhhhh, the mature people dem come out ina dem ball gown, mask, suits and tings. Dem did look proper, proper. The winning house for the field day was announced. Pink house, my house, came out victorious in first place, with yellow house following closely in second place and blue house pulling up in third place. Appreciation prizes were awarded, and thank you were done. Mr. DJ had us on the dance floor for the rest of the evening. All in all this year’s ball was a huge success.
Sunday: We had our regular prayer service on the beach, hearts were mended, friendship restored and God was in the midst of it all. Many of us had plans to attend the funeral service for one of our classmates, however; due to the booking agent’s irresponsibility, myself, Christine and Shantal spent the entire day in the hotel lobby ensuring that 7 out of the 9 people had a place to sleep for that night. All I can say is, when God is in control, no one can stop progress. The rest of our classmates showed up in numbers for Normadel’s funeral. May her Soul Rest In Peace. Our meeting in the evening was successful. Persons were added to the committee body for the new year 2023-2024, who will add value to what is already been done to enrich the lives of persons in the JGHS class of 88 and friends group and by extension assisting out Alma Mater, The Jonathan Grant High School students and school at large.
Monday: We met up for breakfast. Lord, here we go again in the hotel lobby trying to get the booking agent to follow through with extending the time, keep in mind he was fully paid for 4 nights at the hotel from as far back as September 22, 2023. Emotions continued to run high because of not knowing. Long story short, we had to all check out of the hotel on Monday and find our way home. Those who live in Ja, some of us were lucky to be able to stay with friends and family. But again I say, when God is in control, no one can stop progress. So we pressed on.
Tuesday: Some people returned home to the USA and many of us stayed. I checked into a beautiful AirBnB property in Kingston and got some well needed rest.
Wednesday: Was a relaxed day for many. Wednesday night came and the fun turned up and over. Timber Lounge it was. The food was delicious. The music brought us right back to our school days, di people dem sing every song, danced to every beat and who couldn’t dance, rock to the beat.
With all of the headaches, hiccups and disappointments at the hotel, that we are still enduring, reunion 2023, will be remembered for ages to come for all the great times spent with friends making memories. Because at the end of it all, the memories we make are very important.
Until next time my people, walk good, stay blessed and remember to take care of yourself and each other. #LiveLoveLearnLaugh.
SE
