[mofromcheboygankalamazoo]

Originally Posted by MGD

I do have facebook, I will add them!

Wait...I'M JAMAICAN. lol. Small world. I always said we're EVERYWHERE. Now I KNOW I'm right. I figured I was going to be the only one in this little corner. Hopefully some of that Jamaican set that's in northern Michigan comes to Traverse City?

Are these black Jamaicans though? Cause we have all kinds, including very complicated mixtures with wayyyy different hair, and white Jamaicans who aren't mixed with anything, they just sound like me.

yes, they are black Jamaicans
Majority of them work in Mackinaw City that is where I met one of my best friends when i worked with her (she actually now lives in orlando!!)
I know that some do work at Grand Traverse Resort, but it could have changed over the past few years!

[Rapunzll]

Originally Posted by mofromcheboygankalamazoo

yes, they are black Jamaicans
Majority of them work in Mackinaw City that is where I met one of my best friends when i worked with her (she actually now lives in orlando!!)
I know that some do work at Grand Traverse Resort, but it could have changed over the past few years!

I totally forgot about the Jamaicans who work at the resort. They don't drive though, or at least none that I have ever seen, as they are seasonal workers. Maybe the salon at the Resort is able to work with black hair.

[MGD]

Originally Posted by mofromcheboygankalamazoo

yes, they are black Jamaicans
Majority of them work in Mackinaw City that is where I met one of my best friends when i worked with her (she actually now lives in orlando!!)
I know that some do work at Grand Traverse Resort, but it could have changed over the past few years!

Interesting!

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

I totally forgot about the Jamaicans who work at the resort. They don't drive though, or at least none that I have ever seen, as they are seasonal workers. Maybe the salon at the Resort is able to work with black hair.

Seasonal...and don't drive...sounds like they are imported straight from Jamaica...there are many programs doing that these days cause of course we know how to treat tourists and keep world class resorts going strong...that being a big part of the economy back home...

Well hopefully they do get their hair done and aren't wearing natural or locs...

Well, if none of that works out, I will tell the cosmetology students the brand to buy and put in my hair, and give them the instructions, and they will just have to learn so they can do hair for black people that cometo town! Long as they don't make my hair fall out we will be alright (and I do have a lot of it.)

But then i would have to see what kind of equipment they use...if they don't use marcelle irons on their usual customers and don't own any...then that might not work out. lol.

[Rapunzll]

Originally Posted by MGD

Interesting!



Seasonal...and don't drive...sounds like they are imported straight from Jamaica...there are many programs doing that these days cause of course we know how to treat tourists and keep world class resorts going strong...that being a big part of the economy back home...

Well hopefully they do get their hair done and aren't wearing natural or locs...

Well, if none of that works out, I will tell the cosmetology students the brand to buy and put in my hair, and give them the instructions, and they will just have to learn so they can do hair for black people that cometo town! Long as they don't make my hair fall out we will be alright (and I do have a lot of it.)

If you can help one of them learn and you like her, you can just keep going to her once she's done with school. :-) I know that they sell some hair products for black hair at Meijer, but the selection is limited.

I really miss Meijer down here!

[Jswee]

MGD -

Good luck on your quest to move up here, TC is a great town and a great place to raise a family. My eldest was in the gifted & talented program here, if your child qualifies, it's a great program. I'd agree that Eastern in one of the best elementary schools in the area. Living on or close to NMC's campus without a car would be manageable, during the summer you can get around with a bike pretty easily as there is a bike path that goes across town. I've lived here my entire life and have four kids, so if you have any more questions about schools, shopping, etc. feel free to ask. Can't help you on the hair issue, middle aged white guy with a brush cut

Btw, there is another grocery store within walking distance of NMC or an easy bike ride, Glens Family Market on 8th St., roughly 7 - 8 city blocks from campus.

Good luck!

[Rapunzll]

And in a pinch, 7-11 is very close and I don't know about their bread prices, but their milk has always seemed reasonably priced.

[MGD]

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

If you can help one of them learn and you like her, you can just keep going to her once she's done with school. :-) I know that they sell some hair products for black hair at Meijer, but the selection is limited.

I really miss Meijer down here!

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Jswee

MGD -

Good luck on your quest to move up here, TC is a great town and a great place to raise a family. My eldest was in the gifted & talented program here, if your child qualifies, it's a great program. I'd agree that Eastern in one of the best elementary schools in the area. Living on or close to NMC's campus without a car would be manageable, during the summer you can get around with a bike pretty easily as there is a bike path that goes across town. I've lived here my entire life and have four kids, so if you have any more questions about schools, shopping, etc. feel free to ask. Can't help you on the hair issue, middle aged white guy with a brush cut

Btw, there is another grocery store within walking distance of NMC or an easy bike ride, Glens Family Market on 8th St., roughly 7 - 8 city blocks from campus.

Good luck!

haha I need exercise but i am not THAT motivated. The only kind of bike i ride is sportbikes, and i had to sell or trade the ones i've owned...i MISS them, esp. my first! That was my stress relief right there to get up on 2 and roll out in any direction that felt good, or with the guys.

Plus i will have to take the kids grocery shopping with me...can't use anything on 2 wheels.

LMAO at the description...yeah guys are usually no help on hair and that kind of thing, even same race...lol

Originally Posted by Rapunzll

And in a pinch, 7-11 is very close and I don't know about their bread prices, but their milk has always seemed reasonably priced.

True. It's going to be rough during winter but not rougher than being down here with rent and stuff coming due and no job to pay it with...

I keep mulling it over in my mind wondering if there is anything i missed about the situation down here that would save me the sale of my car and the thousands of miles drive. Not that I haven't bounced back from giving up a car before...now that my daughter is walking age it makes it a lot easier...

In other news though, NMC confirmed my application...so as they would say, "the game is afoot..." lol

But even as i mull things, there is a mixup with my tax return, the one thing that was going to get March rent paid on time...and now i have to wait 4-6 weeks for it in the MAIL when it should have been direct deposit last friday! Reminds me STRONGLY why i said living on campus is best for my jobless situation right now...if i was on campus Murphy's Law could be in effect all it wants...but right now that just speeded up the need to sell the car! ugh!

[MGD]

http://www.city-data.com/forum/fort-...eally-bad.html

The first page of that alone explains why I'm forced to leave...6 months to a year is what i am hearing of many people's time being unemployed...and I spent 5 of the last 6 months unemployed, I'm at the end of the rope far as the ability to keep beating my head against the job wall...MANY people with my level of education experience and even more with better can't find work...and I can't even do the retail/food service type jobs because I don't have any childcare for evening/weekend hours...I don't know who the people that do those jobs find to watch their kids...of course the pay can't even cover the childcare to be on the job...making $1,000 for a month and paying $700 of that in childcare when there is still $650 in rent and other expenses to pay obviously is more slavery than a job...unliveable...

[MGD]

Maybe should have made a whole new thread but...

One thing I think is going to be an issue is...the moving truck.

The moving trucks I've seen all have 1 seat for driver, +1 for one other occupant.

I have 2 kids.

What's the alternative? Sit on the greyhound for days on end...and ship my stuff there how? And what's the expense of that?

Any ideas?

[tjay]

good luck to you!! i haven't read the whole thread but i just wanted to say how brave and strong you are! being a single mom isn't easy.....especially with more than one child. you are superwoman!!
traverse city is beautiful....once you're settled you'll have to check out as much of the area as you can (try to see the sleeping bear dune national forest if you can), great outdoor activities with your kids.
i think if you can get past these upcoming obstacles, you will like it alot. i hope you can sell your car....i hope you're not planning on doing that in michigan though...might not be as easy? and craigslist is your best friend when moving/selling....don't forget!
i hope everything goes your way and best of luck to you:}