Life Goes On

It is said that we have a holiday for everything in Jamaica. “The Reggae Boyz won their FIFA World Cup qualifying match? Let’s declare a national holiday! No school tomorrow!” “The public bus operators are going on strike? National holiday everyone! No school/work!” or “It’s gonna rain tomorrow? Let’s declare a national holiday!” Ok, maybe I exaggerated on the last instance, but you get where I’m going, right? Well, we see where the slightest incident is cause for staying home and missing school/work. Not quite so here.

Recently, the public bus operators in my region went on strike. Luckily for me, I lived on campus, but as for the other students, it was a disaster. This was not the type of strike that I was used to. Back home, when you hear of a group going on strike, it’s just for a few hours, maybe two to three days, tops, and it’s back to work/school again.

After two weeks of the bus strike in the dead winter, I realized that this was gonna take a while. School was still in full swing, and people had to find a way to get to work or they would lose their jobs. Some students ended up dropping out for the semester as they lived too far away, and a few people lost their jobs. A much needed public service was unavailable to citizens, and they still had to find a way to get around it or face the consequences; consequences as detrimental as losing their jobs.

In all of this, it was business as usual: no declared holidays, no black-out days, and life just kept going on. Nothing stopped. Personally, I had to turn this unfortunate incident into a positive. A five-minute bus ride turned into a 30-minute walk so I could get to where I needed to go. I also learned that circumstances do not define who you are, it is what you do to overcome these circumstances that shows your true character. 

I was hoping that some classes would be put off or something (especially Economics, ugh!), unfortunately, that wasn't to be. 

The bus strike went on for six weeks, and life went on through it all. The good thing is, I managed to remain healthy through walking everywhere, and I became more acquainted with where I live and learned about a few short cuts. However, when the buses did return, I was never happier to see a bus driver.

"No matter the circumstances, keep pushing forward. Life stops only when you do." -JGIC

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Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Check out her online store at http://jwbookstore.creativesolutionsmall.com to purchase books and electronics.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamaicanGirlInCanada

Email: jokay2112@gmail.com

It Just Happened...

 Well, we now had a full blanket of snow and classes were in full swing. I was on my regular mojo – it was like a rhythm: wake up early, breakfast, classes, work, study, sleep. The cycle became so much a part of me that if one thing should be added or subtracted, I’d be completely thrown off.

A full blanket of snow fell overnight, so I was all wrapped up, cozy and warm… and I overslept! I had to wear my heavy boots; and in order to wear those massive boots, I also had to wear my large pair of jeans and so on. I basically dressed 30 pounds heavier in order to greet the weather. I walked up to the lunch room to eat with my friends; we chatted for a while and even snapped a picture before I noticed that I got carried away and had to make a mad dash for class.

The equation, then, is: late + mad dash + snow = recipe for disaster.

I asked myself: “If I take the snow-ridden, shorter path at the back to the lecture theatre, I’d make it to class with exactly two minutes to spare, right? If I take the usual route, I would get to class at least four minutes late. If I take the internal route, I’ll be at least twelve minutes late… what to do, self?” Friends, do you know what I was told to do (Yes, I do have live conversations with myself every now and again!)? I was told to take the internal route and get to class late.

I wasn’t having it. So I overruled my thoughts and ran to the back door. The first mistake I made was closing the door (the door only opened from the inside), so I was now trapped outside on the ice. The snow slapped me hard in the face and those heavy boots were not very helpful.

I gingerly stepped on the ice and hoped I didn’t slip with the whole school watching from the cafeteria. I took two millimetre steps to get to the muddy banking where it was safer to sink the boots. That in itself took more than five minutes; so automatically, I knew I would be late. I looked up to the internal passageway and saw students walking merrily to their classes in the warmth, and cursed myself for my stupidity. 
 

I kept moving in the muddy path until the building where my class was held came into view. “Finally!” I sighed. As I stepped on the concrete path, with just 10 metres to go, all I heard was SPLAT!! My body connected with the floor and my books lay scattered before me. I had to scramble to my feet before anyone saw me; in the same breath, I grabbed my books and sped to the entrance! I looked around and saw no one in my immediate area, and tried to plaster an awkward smile on my face; you know, the "I didn't fall and hurt myself" awkward smile? Yea, that one! 

I met two students coming out of the building with a knowing smile and I was left to wonder if they saw my fall of shame! I got to class nevertheless…wet, in pain and very, very late! Lesson learnt! 

End Note: Back home in Jamaica, when one realizes that he/she is late, the only obstacle in the way is traffic. We never have to worry about snow, ice, sleet or impossible weather (except hurricanes) to inhibit our movement. Another lesson learnt the hard - and painful - way! - JGIC 

“Those who would bring great things to pass must rise early.—Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty.” – Matthew Henry

 

Jodi-Ann is an Environmental Studies major in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Check out her online store at http://jwbookstore.creativesolutionsmall.com to purchase books and electronics.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamaicanGirlInCanada

Email: jokay2112@gmail.com