“Finally, I’m done!”

When I found I had to create a scrap book I was disheartened. The reason was that I do not listen to the news broadcast neither do I read the papers much anymore. Whatever, news I get is second hand or word of mouth. This meant that I had to start buying the daily newspapers to get enough articles to complete the assignment.

This was a better time than any to have done such a scrap book because issues in education are burning these days. But I thought to myself if I buy the papers and collect the articles then chances are I will have the same articles as everyone else. And so I began to beg! I collected piles of newspaper subscriptions from neighbours and friends and began to sieve through to find interesting articles within the past year.

After I collected the articles I still wanted to be different so I thought of the most creative ways to mount the clippings. “Scrap book”, I thought, “then the clippings must look that way” and so I decided to present them as I have, being disappointed there is no allocation of marks for creativity.

Honestly, when I collected the clippings, I rested them down on my desk for weeks, feeling assured that at least I have the content and it should be smooth sailing from there. I was so wrong! The bulk of the work was yet to come. As an aside, I did not even read the articles. Then it was time for the summaries! As I painstakingly read each one, I began to figure how I would compose the summaries in a concise yet detailed manner according to the assignment sheet.

What I have learned? One, I have learned to take the time to keep abreast of my surroundings and that means setting aside a small amount of money to buy a newspaper, even once per week. Two, education is serious business. All has to be involved for it to reap maximum success. Three, the education sector is under attack. Teachers help to build the nation yet the nation is helping to tear us down. Tearing down the profession itself and the sector service we provide. Four, I have to be a vehicle of change. Reform has to start somewhere. While the formal ministry can address the infrastructure, the individuals involved have to address the pedagogy and that includes me.

While this task was overwhelming, I have come away with tremendous insight and in closing I must thank a wonderful boyfriend for having helped me to burn and mount!

So I had a fulfilling weekend. Me and Craig (the boyfriend) made somewehat of a last minute plan to visit his parents. It was really much more of a going home and getting away from Kingston but inevitably it meant seeing the in-laws. This time I was more enthused than the last.

"Highway May Pen" shouted the ducta and soon we were on a bus to Clarendon. "Chapelton, Summerfield, Pennance" cried the taxi man and we were on our way for the second leg. I was distraught as it was raining and I remembered all too well the difficulties I had climbing the hill to his house in dry weather much less in these conditions! I didn't complain, just took off my slippers and did my thing!

As we approached the house, there was daddy. He was collecting rain water. Although the community is a developing one, they have yet to get piped water. I thanked God for the rain now because at least I knew the tank would be full and I would have water to bathe (Yayyyyyyyy...No walks to the river!!!!).

Balto was barking so loud, that as daddy looked around to see us approaching, mommy peeked out too! I think maybe they were more happy to see me than him...LOL!

Immediately mommy indicated that she would be interested in whatever hairdressing skills I had as she was seeking a do for church in the morning. Naturally I obliged and sawt out the thing. When I got done doing her hair, she danced her way into her bedroom to model for daddy, asking him "Winston, look at my hair. It long dont?" She made sure I was fed, made sure I had water to bathe, talked about school, talked about life in general.

Daddy cool. He doesn't talk much but I know he into me. Sunday morning came and Craig was sick. I found it funny at first because I think he is just too greedy but eventually I had to pamper him. I asked daddy for jelly water and he obliged instantly. He cut the first jelly and as I walked off to give it to my ailing boo (LOL. I hate that word), he remarked, "So yuh ago bizniz bout fi tek care a him alone? Waapen to yuhself? U nuh want none?" and there I knew this man liked me a lot. The first indication was the fact that he remembered my name quite easily on the first visit and referred to me by it at all times. But this sealed the deal.

Like the time before, they were sad to see me leave (Craig coulda neva go back fi all dem care!). Mommy commented disappointedly that she wish she could give me a money. Interesting! Daddy was disheartened that I could not carry one a di fowl dem from outta di freeza (he rears and sells chicken). They, however, bid me farewell and invited me back at anytime.

I think my next trip back will be very soon an a me an daddy ago par!