Nora Taylor:
CLASS OF 1969
Roosevelt High SchoolClass of 1969
Honolulu, HI
Nora's Story
Life
Lets see now,
After 1969, I went to work at the Post Office, night clubed a lot, danced in the disco's 'til 4 a.m.-then to the saimin stands to eat so you can make it into work that morning after a few hours sleep - Gosh, was I in great shape then! I got a position at the Police Dept.- Records Div. at night, and still night clubbed a lot. - (by the way - Regilene Fellez "Sweetie"-Where are you?)During the day I worked at my Dad's Realestate Co. for about 10 years. Settled down and got married in 1972, lucky to be blessed with 2 boys, Kaniela and Reggie. Moved to Kailua and built a home in 1977. Started a career in Corrections - Halawa. 1978 - then OCCC. Divorced and relocated to North Carolina in 1985 due to cost of living as a single parent. Re-married in 1985 and was promised to never have to work again. Hahaha! Worked as a Deputy Sheriff-Lieutenant for 18 years in North Carolina.
Lost my eldest son, Kaniela March 31, 1998 (bad medical diagnosis) brought him home. Been grieving ever since - It's hard when you lose a child as you constantly blame yourself for not protecting them better, no matter how old they are. I guess the hardest to understand is that you just can't change the past, no matter how much you ponder upon it. God finally blessed me with a first grandson in 2006, Nakana. - Retired in Sept. 2006 as a Lieutenant and I now spend much of my time spoiling my grandchildren. I was blessed with a Grand Daughter, born Feb. 19th, 2008. Camryn Noelani Lau just so lovely and her smile lites up the room.
Still wanting to come home...unfortunately no kala for a house at Hawaii prices...BUT happy as heck being retired. I come home every April for a couple of weeks to spend time at my son's grave at Hawaii Memorial in Kaneohe.
Sometimes I get to see a familiar face from the 'ole days, and it makes me so happy to hear " Eh, Nora is dat you?", when I am standing in line at Zippy's or at Char Hung Sut or at Liliha Bakery getting "Diet" pastery (yah right!), cause let me tell you the mainland has NO bakeries like Honolulu! I also make sure I meet up with the "Fearless 5" of Manoa Valley - Debbie Alama, Linda Tong, May Cho, and Gerry Simoes (Sex & the City Girls!)- for one evening of memories of the 60's - It's sad when I see all the changes to Honolulu. All our local hang outs - GONE! Too much concrete and too many traffic signals at every corner. I miss all my Classmates from Roosevelt High.....Also Mr. A. A., you should have made your move at the Sr. Prom, when ya had the chance..Hahaha! All our homes in Manoa SOLD and everyone seems to be moving to Vegas??? I remember locals would smile at each other when our eyes would meet, but now nobody smiles. My regrets are that I robbed my children of their heritage and culture by moving up here and had I not moved away, I think I would still have my eldest son. My long hair still blows in the breeze hearing the call of Hawaii, and I still feel and think 18; my Hawaiian spirit still lives within me and smiles to you all. To all my friends/ classmates I say to you "Lucky you live Hawaii" and don't make the mistake of moving away, cause once you do, you can't ever get home again!
Aloha no...Malama pono,
Nora
Classmate Questionaire.....
I always wanted to be a Interior Designer or a Dentist when I grew up. My family and friends thought that was a Crazy idea. As it turns out, they were right!.
How do you blow off steam? Describe your favorite way to relax.
Exercise.....then a large glass of Castello del Poggio "Moscato" white w...Expand for more
ine.....Mmmmmmmm
What's the wildest thing you ever did in school?
Tried to throw a fire batton as a Majorette.
If I'm going to work somewhere, I need to have a gun, a radio, and fast fast car to be able to deal with the day-to-day.
Do you have a hero? Talk about where your inspiration comes from.
My hero and inspiration has always been my Dad......My knight in shining armour in school was always....A.A.
Where have you lived? Why did you move?
Manoa Valley; Kapahulu on Date St.; Makiki at Liholiho; Nuuanu on Kuakini St,; Red Hill; Keolu Drive, in Kailua; Fayetteville, N.C; Wilmington, N.C.; and Winston-Salem, N.C. and hopefully one day back to Honolulu......Cost of Living/Better Education for my sons as a single parent.
The one person from my past who I'd most like to see again is A.A,, because he remains in my heart until today; But I never seem to get a break.
Life doesn't always turn out the way you expect. What's been your biggest surprise? Surviving 4 bullet holes, and Living this long....
If I could improve my home, I'd remodel my closet and add on a large family room. My dream home would be one level 3500sq ft. with a great big open floor plan, so I can cook for my friends and family all the time.....
Patience, understanding, empathy, and more patience......Kids today have different values of life, regardless of what we taught them!
Which teacher would you love to see again? Mrs. Minami Why? She listened to us, our generation, and was always there for us.....
If I won $100 million, I'd give some of it to bills, then spend the rest on church, my family and friends including RHS.
To be truly happy, you would be where, doing what, with whom?
Back Home, with my family and with the one I truly love.
My current age is 59. When I was 12, I thought that people my age now would be dead. I was so completely lolo.
I believe what was always passed on by my parents.....Be happy that someone believed in you enough to give you a job, therefore always put forth 150% of a good work ethic to show how greatful you are!
What happened to your first crush? It went south.....they guy only liked orientals and did not know I was of mixed race.
My best friend would tell you I'm loyal and prorective, but people who don't know me very well would probably describe me as crazy, bold and won't take No for an answer!.
Still dress like you did 10 (or 20) years ago? Hell no!
What's the weirdest job you ever had? Placing an inmate in a straight jacket at OCCC.
I share my home with another, which I find annoying.
You get one do-over. What do you do differently? Never leave Hawaii!!!!!!!!
In 10 years, I hope to be thinner and hope to still have all my teeth, as I love to smile to others as a sign of my Aloha. I'm going to get there by eating less and exercising!!.
My oldest friends I met in Elementary school, we clicked because they were non-judgemental and gave from their beautiful hearts. They also became the most beautiful women from our valley!
What about you would surprise everyone at your high school reunion? Of course as they would be looking at the Michelin Tire character....hahaha!
My first job was at Dole Pineapple Factory, where I got paid .99 cents per hour to pack Pineapple. What I remember most about it is my grandmother telling me that I was late when infact we were always early!.
When the fearless 5 almost got arrested for being in the wrong place at the wrong time....Beauty, wit, and the gift of gab prevailed!!!!! Thank God for mini-skirts.........Go Rough Riders!!!
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