5am At Mango Media Caribbean


A real vacation

Related Categories: Personal

It is low tide.  A huge white seagull glides over the blue island waters and settles down gently, taking up his post at the mouth of the bay. Standing guard on his thin elegant legs, he picks off the trespassers who naively swim too close to the shore. When he is full and the water begins to intrude again he takes off, a large flap of wings arcing over the bay. 

Every day since I've arrived in Barbados the great bird has followed this pattern, like clockwork -and yet nothing like clockwork. This was my first real vacation in four years.  But like any good machine I was programmed to behave in a particular way.  In my  bright yellow  suitcase I had stuffed my laptop and an Alice Walker novel. On my schedule were days to be spent lounging under the sun's rays, but also penciled in were appointments with prospective clients. On my balcony I ate frighteningly fattening breadfruit chips as I scoured over notes for my meetings. I had unconsciously turned my first real vacation into a stiff of a working one.

 

How unlike the seagull I was, it belonging to a world of creatures who followed a natural course; I belonging to a world of creatures who have fractured continuity into quarter hours and micro seconds.

 

The seagull reminded me how  much being an entrepreneur had taken away from my ability to relax.  For four years my life had been wrapped around a certifiable, managed event: business building. There was certainly no cosmic timing or internal logic to that. Business meeting, receivables, employee issues, billings, have nothing  in common with the shifts worked by the seagull. The contrast was jarring.

 

In that moment of observing the seagull, really observing, I closed the cover of my laptop and made a different resolve. I canceled my appointments, I finished my Alice Walker novel, sipped on Pina Coladas. My vacation became a vacation again. I ate when I was hungry, slept when I was tired -and when I was not ,- I made friends with Bajans in the bar.  I did a great deal of the things we call nothing. I hadn't done it in four years.

 

The most basic of  human rhythms can disappear in our workday lives , the way I suppose the sounds of birds disappears in a city. Another columnist once gave a pedestrian, probably accurate explanation. "From the time we are small," she says, " we tend to wake up with alarms and work to someone else's schedule. We have lunch when its lunchtime we go to bed at bedtime. Sunrise and sunset are less relevant to our lives than 8 to 4 and 9 to 5.  Most of us work for fifty weeks a year in order to have two to ourselves. There is very little room on shopping lists and weekly calendars for being natural. We need literally to vacate the premises of our ordinary life." 

 

It has to be something of a miracle that given the time, this period of our global history that any of us can find the time reconnect, to go in and out of our own nature. But in the midst of numbers crunching and keeping up with the latest trends, there is a centre waiting to be rediscovered and it can be done only when the body is at rest. That may be what a real vacation is all about. Yet I don't know if I can take the simplicity and the rhythms of nothingness back home. Like fragile sea shells, layered in a glass jar, it does not travel well. By the time I get from aircraft to office the subtlety will have been jarred if only by the sharp ring of the telephone and a client's demand.

 

But in my list making, schedule arranging, clock abiding life, I can retreat -at least in memory-to the image of a seagull on a bay.

Comments (20) | Trackbacks (0) | | | | | Share |
Subscribe

TrackBacks
There are no trackbacks for this entry.

Trackback URL for this entry:
http://www.mangomediacaribbean.com/blog/trackback.cfm?3CF2CFFD-CE3C-7069-16CE0B48D58EEC5F

[Add Trackback]
Comments
[Add Comment]
You in Barbados for real?
# Posted By Nadine Johnson | 7/2/09 8:01 PM
Sorry Nadine, I am not. That piece was writted more than five years ago. I dusted it off recently because I feel as if I need a vacation and also, to remind myself what is important.
# Posted By Judette Coward-Puglisi | 7/2/09 8:04 PM
Judette, this is so true. I got goosebumps (seagull) bumps reading it. As an entrepreneur, it may be rewarding most times but you lose that little bit of you in the process.
# Posted By Ramon Gregorio | 7/2/09 8:06 PM
Very true. After 11 years of having a business, I have yet to learn to fully let go when on vacation. Gotten better at it over the years, but looking forward to the moment when can be a total separation of work vs. play.
# Posted By Maria Mohammed | 7/3/09 4:13 PM
I like this Judette and I couldn’t agree with you more.
# Posted By Caira Cudjoe | 7/3/09 8:43 PM
Very nice piece, Judette. So true. Its like we have forgotten how to take pause. Or rather we almost guiltily do so.
# Posted By John | 7/3/09 8:45 PM
Great writing Judette.
# Posted By Nneka Luke | 7/8/09 7:41 PM
http://www.truereligionsalees.com/ True Religion sale
http://www.truereligionsalees.com/ True Religion
http://www.truereligionsalees.com/ cheap True Religion
http://www.truereligionsalees.com/ discount True Religion jeans
http://www.truereligionsalees.com/ True Religion jeans sale
http://www.truereligionsalees.com/ True Religion jeans
http://www.footwearsupraus.com/ cheap supra footwear
http://www.footwearsupraus.com/ supra shoes
http://www.footwearsupraus.com/ cheap supras
http://www.footwearsupraus.com/ supra iii
http://www.footwearsupraus.com/ supra skytop
http://www.snowsheepskinboots.com/ Sheepskin boots
http://www.snowsheepskinboots.com/ UGG Bailey Button
http://www.snowsheepskinboots.com/ UGG Classic Cardy
http://www.snowsheepskinboots.com/ UGG Snow Boots
http://www.snowsheepskinboots.com/ UGG Classic
http://www.newvee.com/profile_blogs/ohimeisama/&am...
http://www.football-networks.com/account/submit/ad...
http://khadhormedia.com/blogs/entry/True-Religion-...
# Posted By True Religion jeans | 10/28/11 1:29 AM
http://www.louboutinshoees.com/ louboutin sale
http://www.louboutinshoees.com/ christian louboutin
http://www.louboutinshoees.com/ cheap christian louboutin
http://www.louboutinshoees.com/ discount louboutin shoes
http://www.louboutinshoees.com/ christian louboutin sale
http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/ Moncler Jackets
http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/ Moncler Down Coats
http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/ Moncler Vests
http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/ Moncler Sale
http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/ Moncler Down Jackets
http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/moncler-women-jackets-sale-cxc-2.html" target="_blank">http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/moncler-women-... Moncler Women's Jackets
http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/moncler-men-jackets-sale-cxc-1.html Moncler Men's Jackets
http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/moncler-kids-jackets-sale-cxc-6.html" target="_blank">http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/moncler-kids-j... Moncler Kids Jackets
http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/moncler-polo-shirts-sale-cxc-3.html Moncler Polo Shirts
http://www.monclerjacketsonsite.com/moncler-shoes-boots-sale-cxc-8.html Moncler Shoes
http://www.cheaptimberlandus.com/ Timberland Boots
http://www.cheaptimberlandus.com/ Cheap Timberland Boots
http://www.cheaptimberlandus.com/ Timberland Shoes
http://www.cheaptimberlandus.com/ Timberland Footwear
http://www.cheaptimberlandus.com/ Cheap Timberland


http://www.mywebprofile.com/wlx1056770364/blog/tim...
http://www.fani.pl/blogs/entry/Timberland-Boots
http://www.onmybloq.in/blogs/entry/Timberland-Boot...
http://www.onesetspot.com/blogs/entry/Timberland-B...
http://mystarnation.com/blog/timberland-shoes-2143...
http://www.thegospelbeat.net/dolphvideo/blogs/entr...
# Posted By wukenny | 10/28/11 6:24 AM
http://www.coachspursesoutletonline.net
http://www.coach-outlet-online.ca
http://www.coachsfactorysoutletonline.net
http://www.coachoutletstoreonline.ca
http://www.coachsfactoryoutlet-online.net
http://www.coachsoutlet.net
http://www.coachsfactory-online.net
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlinee.com
http://www.coachsfactoryoutlet.org
http://www.coachsoutletonline.com
http://www.buycoachfactoryoutlet.net
http://www.mycoachoutletstoreonline.com
http://www.cheapcoachsbags.net
http://www.coachfactorystore-online.com
http://www.mycoachshandbags.net
http://www.mycoachsoutletonline.net
http://www.coachoutletstoreonlineh.com
http://www.coachfactorys-outletonline.net
http://www.coachfactorysoutletstoreonline.net
# Posted By Coach Outlet Online | 11/11/11 10:54 PM
As our Coach Outlet Online guarantees high quality for you, we have gained more customers'trust. The more they order, the more discounts they will enjoy.in the market you definitely can find various colorways that are designed in as well as the high quality that applied in. For most of you would like to come. So just come to our coach factory outlet online store to choose one.

http://www.coachfactoryonlinet.com/coach-factory-o...
# Posted By coach outlet online | 11/21/11 12:36 AM
Louis Vuitton Outlet is the perfect place for perfect Louis Vuitton products. At here, you can buy the best quality Louis Vuitton handbags, shoes, sunglasses and wallets. All items are triple-checked before they're delivered to you and make sure that the product don't have any flaw.We are glad you come to join in our Louis Vuitton Outlet online store, because the winter is upcoming now, Louis Vuitton released many new handbags to feedback our customers.

http://www.clvlouisvuittonoutlet.com
# Posted By louis vuitton outlet | 11/21/11 12:42 AM
Welcome to the Coach Factory Outlet store and Enjoy Shopping Here! We promise all the customers to have the superior qualities and low prices.Look at this golden Coach bag in the? coach factory outlet online.Those new bags with classic and fashionable design are more and more popular now!

http://www.coachfactorysoutleto.com
# Posted By coach factory outlet | 11/21/11 12:48 AM
The christian Signature Hobo is from the latest release of christian louboutin uk. Its crisp, scribble material, leather handle, perfectly complements the relaxed shape of this stylish pouch.in the market you definitely can find various colorways that are designed in as well as the high quality that applied in. For most of you would like to come. So just come to our christian louboutin store to choose one.christian louboutin sale are simple, cheap and quick start guide to help you choose, useful for many people. More and more beautiful handbags attract many people who pick up christianHandbags from our online shop.Brand new bags of this season are sold on the christian louboutin sale uk online. They are made from the hottest new christianPoppy fabric. Great looking silver and red graffiti really stands out against the black fabric.

http://www.christianlouboutin-uksale.org.uk
# Posted By christian louboutin uk | 11/21/11 12:54 AM
discount ugg boots
discount uggs boots
discounted ugg boots
# Posted By discount ugg boots | 12/6/11 6:38 AM
http://www.coachoutletcouponsonline.net
http://www.burberryoutlet-scarfs.net
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlinezz.net
http://www.coachpursesoutleth.net
http://www.coachfactoryonlinestores.net
http://www.coachfactory-outletonlinez.com
http://www.louis--vuitton-lv.com
http://www.louisvuittonoutletgh.com
http://www.louisvuitton3.com
http://www.coachsoutletstoresonline.com
http://www.cheapcoachpursesoutlet.net
http://www.cocochanelhandbagsh.com
http://www.coachfactory-outletsonlines.net
http://www.coachoutletstoreonlinez.com
http://www.mycoachoutletstoreonline.net
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlinezg.com
http://www.coachoutletstoreonlinezg.com
http://www.mycoachfactoryoutlet.net
http://www.coachsoutletsonline.net
http://www.coachpursesoutletonlinezg.net
http://www.louisvuittonpursesbagss.net
http://www.chanelhandbags-bags.net
http://www.hermes-bagss.net
http://www.louisvuittonhoutlet.net
http://www.coachfactorys-outletstores.net
http://www.coachsoutletsonline.net
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlinej.net
http://www.louisvuittonsunglassess.net
http://www.mycoachfactoryoutletonline.net
http://www.coachsfactory-onlines.net
http://www.mycoachshandbags.net
http://www.chanelbags-outletonlines.net
http://www.louisvuittonbags-purses.net
http://www.mycoachoutletstoresonline.com
http://www.louisvuitton0.net
http://www.coachsonlineoutlet.com
http://www.coachoutletstoresonlineh.ca
http://www.cheapcoachbagsoutletz.com
http://www.storescoachoutletonline.com
http://www.coachfactorystoreonlinez.com
http://www.louisvuittonoutletsz.com
http://www.coachoutletscoupons.com
http://www.louis-vuitton.com.de
http://www.coachoutletonlinegood.net
http://www.alouisvuittonhandbags.com
http://www.cheaplouisvuittonbagsh.net
http://www.coachbagsz.net
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlinestorez.net
http://www.burberryscarfoutletsh.net
# Posted By Coach Outlet Online | 12/13/11 4:19 AM
http://www.coachoutletcouponsonline.net
http://www.burberryoutlet-scarfs.net
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlinezz.net
http://www.coachpursesoutleth.net
http://www.coachfactoryonlinestores.net
http://www.coachfactory-outletonlinez.com
http://www.louis--vuitton-lv.com
http://www.louisvuittonoutletgh.com
http://www.louisvuitton3.com
http://www.coachsoutletstoresonline.com
http://www.cheapcoachpursesoutlet.net
http://www.cocochanelhandbagsh.com
http://www.coachfactory-outletsonlines.net
http://www.coachoutletstoreonlinez.com
http://www.mycoachoutletstoreonline.net
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlinezg.com
http://www.coachoutletstoreonlinezg.com
http://www.mycoachfactoryoutlet.net
http://www.coachsoutletsonline.net
http://www.coachpursesoutletonlinezg.net
http://www.louisvuittonpursesbagss.net
http://www.chanelhandbags-bags.net
http://www.hermes-bagss.net
http://www.louisvuittonhoutlet.net
http://www.coachfactorys-outletstores.net
http://www.coachsoutletsonline.net
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlinej.net
http://www.louisvuittonsunglassess.net
http://www.mycoachfactoryoutletonline.net
http://www.coachsfactory-onlines.net
http://www.mycoachshandbags.net
http://www.chanelbags-outletonlines.net
http://www.louisvuittonbags-purses.net
http://www.mycoachoutletstoresonline.com
http://www.louisvuitton0.net
http://www.coachsonlineoutlet.com
http://www.coachoutletstoresonlineh.ca
http://www.cheapcoachbagsoutletz.com
http://www.storescoachoutletonline.com
http://www.coachfactorystoreonlinez.com
http://www.louisvuittonoutletsz.com
http://www.coachoutletscoupons.com
http://www.louis-vuitton.com.de
http://www.coachoutletonlinegood.net
http://www.alouisvuittonhandbags.com
http://www.cheaplouisvuittonbagsh.net
http://www.coachbagsz.net
http://www.coachfactoryoutletonlinestorez.net
http://www.burberryscarfoutletsh.net
# Posted By Coach Outlet Online | 12/13/11 4:19 AM
WT-The [url=http://www.suprashoes-sale.net/]supra uk[/url] at its exterior using the snap closure. An adjustable belt for the [url=http://www.offical-coach.org/]Coach bags[/url] has two benefits. The 2nd sort of [url=http://www.offical-coach.org/]coach madison sophia collection[/url] is [url=http://www.suprashoes-sale.net/]supra shoes[/url] and [url=http://www.offical-coach.org/]coach madison ocelot op art maggie shoulder bag[/url].The [url=http://www.suprashoes-sale.net/]Supra shoes sale[/url] carries a two-way the front zipper with one another with fleece lined chin guard. The [url=http://www.offical-coach.org/coach-kristin-collection-c-91.html" target="_blank">http://www.offical-coach.org/coach-kristin-collect...]Coach kristin hippie[/url] has the identical features as [url=http://www.suprashoes-sale.net/mens-supra-muska-skytop-shoes-c-10.html]Mens Supra Muska Skytop Shoes[/url] online.
# Posted By Coach Handbag | 1/11/12 7:00 AM
WT-The [url=http://www.suprashoes-sale.net/]supra uk[/url] at its exterior using the snap closure. An adjustable belt for the [url=http://www.offical-coach.org/]Coach bags[/url] has two benefits. The 2nd sort of [url=http://www.offical-coach.org/]coach madison sophia collection[/url] is [url=http://www.suprashoes-sale.net/]supra shoes[/url] and [url=http://www.offical-coach.org/]coach madison ocelot op art maggie shoulder bag[/url].The [url=http://www.suprashoes-sale.net/]Supra shoes sale[/url] carries a two-way the front zipper with one another with fleece lined chin guard. The [url=http://www.offical-coach.org/coach-kristin-collection-c-91.html" target="_blank">http://www.offical-coach.org/coach-kristin-collect...]Coach kristin hippie[/url] has the identical features as [url=http://www.suprashoes-sale.net/mens-supra-muska-skytop-shoes-c-10.html]Mens Supra Muska Skytop Shoes[/url] online.
# Posted By Coach Handbag | 1/11/12 7:00 AM
http://www.coachoutletsstoreonlines.ca
http://www.coachfactory-outlet-online.net
http://www.coachoutletstores-online.net
http://www.coachfactory-storeonlines.net
http://www.coachoutletstoresonline-us.com
http://www.burberryscarfs-2012.com
http://www.coachfactorysoutletsonline.com
http://www.coachsfactory-outlets.net
http://www.coachfactorystores-online.net
# Posted By Coach Outlet Online | 1/13/12 10:30 PM
[Add Comment]
  • Your Host
  • Archives
    • Technology
    • Publishing
    • Public Relations, Media
    • Search Engine
    • Social Media, Renee Cummings
    • View all Archives
  • Popular Commented
    • We the People
    • Bmobile's 30 million dollar questions...
    • The Summit makes for one hell of an interesting week
    • Fattening Your Ideas File, My Way.
    • When technology becomes a distraction
  • Most Popular Entries
    • Fattening Your Ideas File, My Way.
    • Success..
    • Bmobile's 30 million dollar questions...
    • Futurist Says Marketers Need to Embrace Social Media
    • Why I Love PR
Recent Comments

As media experts we can do much better
quilted barbour jacket said: HW- THE karen millen for 2011 is now featuring the two offline and on the web. Can't wait to determi... [More]

To go in search of something bigger
quilted barbour jacket said: HW- THE karen millen for 2011 is now featuring the two offline and on the web. Can't wait to determi... [More]

This site is a great find
quilted barbour jacket said: HW- THE karen millen for 2011 is now featuring the two offline and on the web. Can't wait to determi... [More]

Your morning cup of coffee.
quilted barbour jacket said: HW- THE karen millen for 2011 is now featuring the two offline and on the web. Can't wait to determi... [More]

Lies. Truth. And Shoes
quilted barbour jacket said: HW- THE karen millen for 2011 is now featuring the two offline and on the web. Can't wait to determi... [More]

Search

Google Search

The Web
Mango Media Blog
Subscribe
Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog.

RSS
Blogroll
Seth Godin's Blog
Media Futurist- Gerd Leonhard
Marketing Rooster
Richard Edelman's Blog
Lee Odden
Save the Media
twitter
twitter
Facebook
Tags
branding, marketing communication entrepreneurship marketing personal public relations public relations trinidad and tobago social media
© 2012 Mango Media Caribbean
MangoMediaCaribbean.com | Our Blog | Facebook | Twitter