Jaimey Tracy:  

Life. Started at Poly High. Left to attend Lakewood High.My Mami felt Poly was too crazy.Kids were ditching all over the place, kids who in her mind weren't going to amount to anything. So, she decided to send me to Lakewood.That year was when the school district wanted to "integrate" the school. My Mother felt there was a better opportunity to go there because of the academics. I left middle school with A'S and B's, principal's honor roll and perfect attendance.Missed all the kids I practically grew up with, Long Beach has always been a diversified town, class and race period. I had friends in the LBC that were Armenian to Zimbabwean. Lakewood High was contrastingly different back then, very new to 'integration'. You are talking, white, middle, upper middle class and wealthy.The first day at Lakewood High I was pushed into my locker by a group of white girls coming my way down the hall. I was hurt and angry.I never experienced anything like it. I sure hope their children today would never experience such cruelness. But, you know what they say about Karma...and we wonder why our world is the way it is. A lot of our classes would make us the only black, brown or yellow person in class because so few of us were being bused from Long Beach at the time... It was very uncomfortable for most of us. There was this boy named Jeff in one of my classes who always screwed with me. He was so racist. The kids would laugh every-time he made a stupid racist crack. He'd say..."If Africans and blacks are so poor, why are their teeth so white"? I finally got fed up and said, "Because we spend our time hunting down the white people and using their bones to polish our teeth!" The whole class broke out in unexpected laughter, and Jeff...with his very kinky and frizzy hair, never made any racists cracks again in class. Despite all that ,I adjusted and made new friends. Friends across all spectrum's. There were a several old classmates that transferred there, from Stephens J.H.S... that made the transition easier. Great to know I wasn't the only one going to a new school in uncharted territory alone. (Frank F. My best friend) H.R., T.J,. A.R., T.G. S.T. I graduated in 1980 on the principal's honor roll. Received a scholarship to Brooks College in fashion design and interior decorating, with a minor in modeling, I thought, I would be this up- and coming designer right away! I ended up tailoring and dressmaking for people who were stealing my designs for very little or no pay. Pissed and disillusioned about that business- it's so phony, I hate phony, I wanted to do something exciting, fun and empowering. Hungry for real excitement, (or a sucker for punishment), went into the Army Reserves. Came back, married the first time, and started working with a large security firm. Worked in plain clothes, loss prevention, and as a personal body guard for the host and hostess of The Fashion Channel... anyone remember that/them? Lol! Never a dull moment. Later, went to work for D.O.D. (Department Of Defense). I later divorced my first husband, a great guy...( Insert Sarcasm ). Later, I transferred to the D.O.J. (Department Of Justice) U.S. Immigration. I received my Purple belt 9th Gup in Tang Soo Do. I personally trained with the former world champion Bob Alegria for two years. I became a Notary in the course of the job. In the interim, I married again and we have raised six wonderful kids. My husband is my best friend, the core of who I am, and I am better in life because of him. I am so very blessed! We've bought and sold properties over time, played monopoly while the market was good... I went to work for a private security company, where I did traffic enforcement, and supervised at a very high profile exclusive community. I am now a SAHM. Six adult working, law abiding, successful, happy children. I am also a doting grandmother of 7 now. We two son-in- laws- in the Navy, the other is an IT person. My husband and I love antiques, home improvements, natural eating, essential oils, Yoga and gardening.I have become an excellent gardener over the years! I have two different fig trees I'm planning on grafting! Having problems with bulbs and Gardenias though. I also enjoy organic gardening, dining out, drinking fine wines, absinthe's, good coffees, music-love jazz, and smelling the roses! Life's too short. Lost both of my parents in the last 18 years. Life is certainly different without them.I miss them a lot. God has truly blessed me,though, as I continue to live and learn, evolve, experience, and grow in this life, enduring, over...Expand for more