I should 1st warn my mother not to read this blog posting, because I know she'll just be worried, so Mom, "stop reading this".
Last week was quite interesting. Lets see, Wednesday a little rock slipped into my shoe as I was running it cut the skin around my achilles tenuous and left a nice blister/cut, Thursday I fell sick again with a fever and pains all over my body (I went to get a malaria test but the lab was closed for the day), Friday, right before I went in my room to go to bed for the night, a bee came up and stung me on my face (I haven't been stung by a bee since I was probably 4 or 5), Saturday morning as I attempted to jab a knife into a can of cream to open it, I missed the can and stabbed my hand instead (I thought all my blood was coming out of my body it was bleeding so much). Then Sunday I heard the news on the radio that there is a lion on the loose near my village (there aren't even lions in this region but they're saying he came from Togo) and actually it attacked someone last week. With the luck I was having, I figured next thing to happen would be the lion attacking me. LOL. I even started to think that someone in the village put a curse on me (Speaking of curses, I'll say more about that later on in this blog). But even with all this, I am not ready to come back to America. Even yesterday I had to go in my room because my eyes started to tear up thinking about saying good-bye. I just love the people here and the peacefulness of the village life.
On a more upbeat note, yesterday I went to a dinner party at my German friends' house (the older man and his wife). The food was amazing! I wanted to be greedy and just keep eating until I couldn't eat anymore. At the dinner party was some Germans living and working in Ghana, some native Ghanaians working with them or married to the Germans, and then me, the one American. It was fun. You know I love to talk to anyone, so I just sat and talked, and ate up the good food.
Oh, so I told you I would tell you more about the curses people are putting on each other in the villages. At 1st I didn't know if I believed it or not but after hearing all the stories and even witnessing this woman who was normal when I first got to the village and now she is mad, I know that it's really happening. The mad woman is always visiting me. Last week she came to me with no shirt on, but she had placed band aids on her nipples and was walking around singing and smoking cigarettes. The kids tell me not to talk to her, but I feel bad for her. This pastor lady I know told me that the woman will be normal and then maybe once a year or once every two years she'll go mad for a couple months. The pastor said someone proposed to her a while back and she denied him and after that the man disappeared and people believe he put a curse on her. Crazy stuff.
Time is ticking away too fast. If I didn't have to come home and get a job I would definitely stay here longer. I wish everyone could come life in my village for a couple weeks and understand what I'm talking about. One thing that I think is so funny is the perception most of us as Americans have about the African continent. (That's our 1st problem is that we generalize an entire continent.) I can even say I had my own pre-notions before coming here that I quickly realized where absolutely incorrect. We buy into the stereotypes way too much. I know that one of my jobs now that I've lived in Ghana, is to share with people my experiences so they start to understand one of the African cultures better. It's a beautiful country and a beautiful culture, I hope more people take the opportunity to come see for themselves. Even last evening Guenther's wife (she's a native of Ghana) was telling me that in Germany she was taking care of an 84 year old man. He would always say to her that Africa was uncivilized and say all sorts of things that showed he believed in all the negative stereotypes. She always would tell him to come with her and she'd show him it wasn't that way. So at 84 years old, the German man decided to come with her. She said he was speechless in disbelieve when he drove around the country. He even apologized to her for all the things he had said to her about Africa. I'm not saying there isn't poverty here or children who are starving. What I am saying though, is it's not everywhere, and it doesn't make up what this country is. If someone only looked at the negative aspects of America and based their idea of our country on that, we would look pretty bad too.
Okay I need to run, so until next week I will talk to you all later.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
My depature date is nearing closer :(
I would just like to know, where did the time go??? I honestly feel like I’ve been here maybe 1 month. But soon I will be saying my very sad good-byes. Crazy!! This trip has taught me so much about life and I am beyond thankful for this opportunity. Of course there are things about home that I miss, but honestly I could stay here longer. My mind is so free here, and there so few worries. I know within hours of touching down in the US I’m going to be reminded of the chaos and worries of everyday life we focus on in the US. Gas prices, our failing economy, finding a job, what to wear, who said this and that….. But if there is one thing that I’ve learned here it is that life is short and we have to make the best of each day, and the best of this life. I’m going to try and hold on to the worry free attitude that I’ve developed here. That is not to say I won’t focus on finding a job and staying on my grind towards success, it’s just that I’m not going to worry about it, because even in the bible it says not to worry because tomorrow will worry about itself. With all this said though I’ll give you an update of my life in the village…
Last week I finished my TFA application and submitted it. THANK YOU MARISSA, ROCHELLE, ERICA, JENNIE, and BABY T for your help!!!! Love ya:) I’m thankful to have that completed and now I’m just praying that the selection committee will see my passion exemplified throughout my application and grant me an interview. I will know by February 24th so I’ll keep you posted. At this point I leave in God’s hands to handle.
Let me tell you about the gift I received yesterday that almost brought me to tears. Do you know that this young boy, probably 17 or 18 years old in my village who I’ve maybe greeted once or twice weaved 11 kente clothes for me, out of special threat he bought in Kumasi (a city that’s like 10 hours away). I had no idea that I was receiving anything at all from anyone. It was a gift from him and his family to me, so that I can make a traditional dress from it (BTW, it’s absolutely beautiful!!). If he would have sold it in the market he would have probably gotten close to 200 Ghana Cedis (which is basically 200 US dollars). I was almost brought to tears because who I am to deserve this gift from a family that isn’t starving or suffering, but who are by all means economically disadvantaged (they live in a mud hut with a grass roof). Even Fo Dela told me that no volunteer has received a gift like this before. The family that gave it to me said that they appreciated the way I’ve been free and friendly with everyone in the village. I guess this goes to show that we never know who is watching us, and who our behavior affects (whether positively or negatively).
If you’re wondering, I’m feeling 100% better now. I don’t think its malaria anymore (thank GOD!!) I most have eaten something or who knows. But do you know I stubbed my toe last week and the whole thing turned black and blue. I could barely walk for 2 days. All the children who are a little older keep telling me Africa isn’t good for me. LOL! First I got sick, then I basically broke my toe, and then last week when I washed my clothes, my skin got tanner and the kids hate that (when I’m in the sun). It’s too funny! Especially Francis, my neighbor who’s 7, he always tells me when I’m in the sun that I need to sit in the shade and that if I don’t he’ll tell Fo Dela and that Fo Dela will cane me.
Okay, so the last thing I want to say is that when I leave I don’t know what I’m going to do it. I will be so lonely. How do you go from living in a village and being surrounded by people all the time, to being in a house with 2 or 3 people? And how will I cope with not being surrounded with 10 to 20 children around me pretty much all day long? I’ve actually gotten use to the crying babies (don’t feel bad, mostly they cry cause they aren’t getting their way). It’s going to be very hard. I love my kids too much!! And I love the people in my village. I’m not looking forward to the day I say fair well:( Even though I already have a plan for coming back, it will still be really hard.
Alright, I’m all out of words. Talk to you next week. Please pray for me and the TFA application I submitted. Love ya:)
Last week I finished my TFA application and submitted it. THANK YOU MARISSA, ROCHELLE, ERICA, JENNIE, and BABY T for your help!!!! Love ya:) I’m thankful to have that completed and now I’m just praying that the selection committee will see my passion exemplified throughout my application and grant me an interview. I will know by February 24th so I’ll keep you posted. At this point I leave in God’s hands to handle.
Let me tell you about the gift I received yesterday that almost brought me to tears. Do you know that this young boy, probably 17 or 18 years old in my village who I’ve maybe greeted once or twice weaved 11 kente clothes for me, out of special threat he bought in Kumasi (a city that’s like 10 hours away). I had no idea that I was receiving anything at all from anyone. It was a gift from him and his family to me, so that I can make a traditional dress from it (BTW, it’s absolutely beautiful!!). If he would have sold it in the market he would have probably gotten close to 200 Ghana Cedis (which is basically 200 US dollars). I was almost brought to tears because who I am to deserve this gift from a family that isn’t starving or suffering, but who are by all means economically disadvantaged (they live in a mud hut with a grass roof). Even Fo Dela told me that no volunteer has received a gift like this before. The family that gave it to me said that they appreciated the way I’ve been free and friendly with everyone in the village. I guess this goes to show that we never know who is watching us, and who our behavior affects (whether positively or negatively).
If you’re wondering, I’m feeling 100% better now. I don’t think its malaria anymore (thank GOD!!) I most have eaten something or who knows. But do you know I stubbed my toe last week and the whole thing turned black and blue. I could barely walk for 2 days. All the children who are a little older keep telling me Africa isn’t good for me. LOL! First I got sick, then I basically broke my toe, and then last week when I washed my clothes, my skin got tanner and the kids hate that (when I’m in the sun). It’s too funny! Especially Francis, my neighbor who’s 7, he always tells me when I’m in the sun that I need to sit in the shade and that if I don’t he’ll tell Fo Dela and that Fo Dela will cane me.
Okay, so the last thing I want to say is that when I leave I don’t know what I’m going to do it. I will be so lonely. How do you go from living in a village and being surrounded by people all the time, to being in a house with 2 or 3 people? And how will I cope with not being surrounded with 10 to 20 children around me pretty much all day long? I’ve actually gotten use to the crying babies (don’t feel bad, mostly they cry cause they aren’t getting their way). It’s going to be very hard. I love my kids too much!! And I love the people in my village. I’m not looking forward to the day I say fair well:( Even though I already have a plan for coming back, it will still be really hard.
Alright, I’m all out of words. Talk to you next week. Please pray for me and the TFA application I submitted. Love ya:)
Monday, February 9, 2009
And I'm back bloggin...
I hope you didn't miss my blog update too much last week (joking). I was really busy both days I came into Ho because the electricity in my village was out for a whole week so I had to do a lot of typing here in the office. But I thank God cause it finally came back on Saturday!! I don't know if I have time to update you on everything that's happened since I last wrote but I'll at least tell you the as much as I can before either the internet fails, the electricity goes out, or my hand grows tired.
Last Tuesday I taught english to class 6. I was really happy that I did, because it clarify for me that if I get accepted to Teach For America (pray that I do), that I will love my job!! I might go back again tomorrow morning but I have to focus and get this application finished before Thursday so it can be finished!!
Then Friday, my Ghanaian grandmother, (I call her this because her kind heart reminds me of my grandma) had a big celebration. She is Dela's aunt but he even says she's like his 2nd mother. She had surgery and recovered so she had a three day celebration were everyone ate, danced, and praised God for her successful recovery. I can really appreciate this fact about the Ghanaian culture. They always celebrate and give thanks to God whether it's in regards to their health, the completion of a new house, or whatever. They stay thankful, it's a beautiful thing. This is one thing I know I will take as a lesson learned and put into practice as I journey back to the US.
The celebration was really nice. Her son owns the biggest hotel in our region so he's kinda a big deal. I still haven't met him yet, but I definitely spent the night at his mother's house and slept in the bed with her. You may be asking why, why did I sleep in the bed with the 80 some year old woman in her house. But Dela went to go stay with his family on night in Ho (the town I come to to use the internet) and she lives really close to him so I stayed with her. When I went to go lay on the mat on the floor she told me I could come sleep in the bed with her so I did. She is just too sweet. Well I actually don't really understand anything she says but her spirit is so kind. So Momma's party (Momma is what you call your granny in Ewe) was a big celebration with plenty of people and fun and drumming and dancing. loved it:)Oh yea, and I definitely took witness to a 4 year old taking a shot of gin. I'm absolutely not okay with this but who am I to say anything. I'll leave it at that.
Well, I loved the party until I got sick. Friday morning I was feeling a bad headache. Then my whole body was feeling extra tight and in pain, then by afternoon I had caught a fever and by 4pm my fever was up to 104. Kinda thought I was nearing death, not going to lie! To make matters worse, it was probably close to 110 degrees outside, and there was no electricity to provide me with a fan or ANYTHING cold!! Even the water from the dam was warm. I almost went to the hospital but seeing that would have entail waiting for a tro tro and then riding in a hot ass tro tro with 20 some people for 1 hour on a road that jerks your body left to right, up and down, I decided to wait on the hospital. Luckily my fever went down some before night time, but I was still hot and my room felt like a furnace. So Dela made me a bed outside and he even sat in a chair and slept out there too. It was pretty bad. But I felt fine the next morning. I'm praying it's not Malaria, cause the missionary lady told me that's a sign (the high fever coming one day and then it will leave and then a few days later return). But I'll just keep watching my health and praying.
But I need to get back to the village. The office is closing. Peace and Love.
Last Tuesday I taught english to class 6. I was really happy that I did, because it clarify for me that if I get accepted to Teach For America (pray that I do), that I will love my job!! I might go back again tomorrow morning but I have to focus and get this application finished before Thursday so it can be finished!!
Then Friday, my Ghanaian grandmother, (I call her this because her kind heart reminds me of my grandma) had a big celebration. She is Dela's aunt but he even says she's like his 2nd mother. She had surgery and recovered so she had a three day celebration were everyone ate, danced, and praised God for her successful recovery. I can really appreciate this fact about the Ghanaian culture. They always celebrate and give thanks to God whether it's in regards to their health, the completion of a new house, or whatever. They stay thankful, it's a beautiful thing. This is one thing I know I will take as a lesson learned and put into practice as I journey back to the US.
The celebration was really nice. Her son owns the biggest hotel in our region so he's kinda a big deal. I still haven't met him yet, but I definitely spent the night at his mother's house and slept in the bed with her. You may be asking why, why did I sleep in the bed with the 80 some year old woman in her house. But Dela went to go stay with his family on night in Ho (the town I come to to use the internet) and she lives really close to him so I stayed with her. When I went to go lay on the mat on the floor she told me I could come sleep in the bed with her so I did. She is just too sweet. Well I actually don't really understand anything she says but her spirit is so kind. So Momma's party (Momma is what you call your granny in Ewe) was a big celebration with plenty of people and fun and drumming and dancing. loved it:)Oh yea, and I definitely took witness to a 4 year old taking a shot of gin. I'm absolutely not okay with this but who am I to say anything. I'll leave it at that.
Well, I loved the party until I got sick. Friday morning I was feeling a bad headache. Then my whole body was feeling extra tight and in pain, then by afternoon I had caught a fever and by 4pm my fever was up to 104. Kinda thought I was nearing death, not going to lie! To make matters worse, it was probably close to 110 degrees outside, and there was no electricity to provide me with a fan or ANYTHING cold!! Even the water from the dam was warm. I almost went to the hospital but seeing that would have entail waiting for a tro tro and then riding in a hot ass tro tro with 20 some people for 1 hour on a road that jerks your body left to right, up and down, I decided to wait on the hospital. Luckily my fever went down some before night time, but I was still hot and my room felt like a furnace. So Dela made me a bed outside and he even sat in a chair and slept out there too. It was pretty bad. But I felt fine the next morning. I'm praying it's not Malaria, cause the missionary lady told me that's a sign (the high fever coming one day and then it will leave and then a few days later return). But I'll just keep watching my health and praying.
But I need to get back to the village. The office is closing. Peace and Love.
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