These are a few of...

...my favorite things. In Ghana!

Many days of sunshine. Plenty of Vitamin D to go around!

Fresh fruits and vegetables from the markets. Always delicious and fresh!

Children playing outside rather than getting obese in front of a video game

Fufu!

Cheap public transportation

Meat pies – Africa’s version of a polish perogi

fried dough stuffed with corned beef and onions

Alvaro – the U.S. needs to get on this stuff!

Beaches lined with palm trees

Delicious homemade bread

People willing to help everywhere you go

Sunsets

Joy and Wine

“The joy of travel is in the wandering.”
- - Joe Robinson

It was a fantastic week! Mid-week, I spent some time at the School for the Deaf in my community. A Peace Corps volunteer, Kaitlyn, is teaching art there, and she kindly allowed me into her classroom as well as answered some of my questions about special education in Ghana. Sign language is fascinating to me. I cannot for even one second imagine what it would be like to not be able to hear. Kaitlyn said that formal sign language is taught beginning in kindergarten, but that many of the younger children rely more on general gestures, which makes communication a bit more difficult. It seems though that some signs just make sense. For instance, I learned how to sign “good morning”, and at the end of the sign, your hand comes up just as the sun would come up in the morning. That is one basic example, but it helps to make those associations when you are learning a brand new form of communication. Being in a deaf classroom is essentially the polar opposite of every teaching experience I have ever had: it was silent. Getting kids quiet is a significant aspect of teaching, but at a School for the Deaf, I found myself reveling in the silence. But at the same time, struggling to not speak. I talk a lot! No surprise to most of you out there. But to not have to is actually quite a challenge!

Friday I was part of a teacher-training workshop at my college involving about 80 primary teachers from local schools. I was responsible for teaching the English portion of the day, and I focused on different strategies for teaching vocabulary. It felt amazing! Most of the teachers were enthusiastic, engaged, and genuinely interested. Now if every day here in Ghana was like Friday, I would feel much more fulfilled. But, I guess I will just have to take those days as they come. On top of the workshop, I got to chat with one of my favorite Ghanaian people, Juliana, from the office of my organization.

Following the workshop, I, along with the Peace Corps volunteer, Sam, and the Japanese volunteer, Morita, were invited to the priest’s home for dinner. His name is Matthew and he is amazing. His undergraduate studies were in Ireland, and his post-graduate studies were in Scotland. He’s traveled the world and returns to Scotland every summer for six weeks. And to really tug at my heartstrings, this man is a reader as well! One entire wall of his home was filled with books. Too bad this guy’s a priest. Matthew had his housekeeper prepare a most elaborate meal for us. Fish, chicken, fried yams, jollaf rice, white rice, kelewele, some chinese curry stew! Delectable! All followed by cappuccino and ice cream. Throughout this meal, and from the moment I walked in the door, large amounts of white and red wine were also consumed. As the evening progressed, Matthew offered us a Ghanaian brandy made from cashews. This is what surely pushed us all over the edge. We had a blast! The entire evening was filled with interesting conversation. We chatted about everything from education to soccer to traveling to gender roles to stereotypes to booze. This was, by far, one of the best days I have had in Ghana.

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This blog is full of all kinds of good inspiration. Wanted to share. Enjoy!

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Teaching and Learning

Students with top teachers are less likely to become pregnant as teenagers, more likely to enroll in college, and more likely to earn more money as adults – NYTimes.com

These are some of the answers given when students were asked to write a response to the following question, Why do you want to be a teacher?

Let’s start with the confusing and disturbingly bad responses. Clearly, writing, nor mastery of English are strengths, as these are presented here just as they were presented to me. I mean, really people, these kids are going to become teachers and shape the future of Ghana. Sigh…..

“I want to be a teacher so as to impact knowledge acquired to the public for the continuation of education.”

“A teacher as expected of is supposed to learned and more equipped with knowledge and skills which he is to impact in learners.”

“I want to be a teacher because I have the ability to teach for other people to understand, and also react politely to other peoples actions.”

“Teaching is a kind of profession that makes one to life a simply and decent life. Jesus Christ start the teaching work by teaching the word of God. So firstly I want to be a teacher so as to live simply and desent life on this earth.”

Moving on to the powerful and meaningful responses. These lead me to believe that there is some hope here.

“I want to be a teacher so that I will help people solve their problems and also to free people from ignorance. To help young people develop their talent and transform them to become leaders who will rule the country with justice.”

“I would like to be a teacher because the developing nature of a country depends on education. In becoming a teacher I will help in the development of my country to make people get knowledge.”

“I want to be a teacher because I have the passion for the job. I want to be able to mold people to be responsible in the future.”

“To help develop my country by teaching others and to reduce the illiteracy rate.”

End of semester exams begin this week. Pressure and panic have engulfed the campus. Students take 9 exams this semester. Ridiculous. A friend of mine texted me last week saying that she gave her students every answer to the questions on her quiz, and they still cheated. The cheating is prompted by the panic that sets in at the moment when a student realizes they have not memorized every bit of knowledge “imparted” upon them. Herein lies the problem.

The emphasis at this teacher-training college is on memorization of content of every subject under the sun. It’s a rushed process with the teacher-training colleges trying to prepare students in two years. Two years where there are a lot of days off and a lot of late-starting classes, so ultimately, the number of minutes actually spent engaged in learning is relatively low for what is needed. In addition to the rush, it’s information overload! Sure, kids are going to school. Students are enrolled in these “colleges”, but the quality of the education is the problem here. Teaching shouldn’t just be about “imparting knowledge”, which is a phrase I have heard over and over and over again here. Teaching should be about developing understanding, encouraging thinking, and facilitating learning. Imparting knowledge is just a small piece of the puzzle, in my opinion.

While here, I am taking a few online classes with DePaul to finish my special education endorsement. Since the reading specialist program at DePaul, I have become highly interested in students with special needs. Special education is a fascinating field and there is so much to learn! Yes, I am nerd to the max. I am loving this class and the continued acquisition of knowledge in my life. So what if I’m in debt for the rest of my life? I might just keep going to college and wracking up these degrees and endorsements. Ultimately, I hope to some day really have a say-so in a school whether that be through a leadership role or as a founding member of a new school. Big dreams.....can't help myself :)

Unfortunately, this class and my observations are teaching me that special education in Ghana is a sad state of affairs. Instruction about special education at the college level is minimal and is covered in this one teeny tiny "textbook" you see here. Clearly not much attention is given to the field. There are schools for blind and deaf children, but if you have a learning disability, there really isn’t anything for you. If a student with a learning disability is lucky enough to get a good teacher who cares, then he/she might thrive, but generally speaking, what I’m hearing about the system is very disheartening.

Ghana is really fueling my passion for education. A few years out of the classroom has me really pumped up again about teaching, specifically struggling learners. My experiences with education here are teaching me so much about what kind of teacher I want to be and what qualities I believe an effective school must possess. Can't wait to get back to the U.S. education system!

Ahwiaa

Once we assimilate to the initial shock of poverty, overpopulation and the lack of a comprehensive sewage system, the genuine friendliness of this culture allures us. Smiles abound. – Ron Mitchell

I arrived. I shopped. I happily survived a bit of harassment.

Ahwiaa is a small town just outside of Kumasi. A stretch of the road is occupied by men selling handcrafted wood products. Within each booth, you will find generally the same types of items from drums to simple décor to jewelry to stools. It’s all beautiful! The sellers are slightly aggressive, but their intentions are simple. These guys are just trying to make money. However, it is a tad overwhelming having six or seven African woodcarving men follow you around and essentially beg you to look at their shops. Ultimately though, they really are friendly dudes. One man told me I was the first person to come to his shop that day, and this was at 5pm. Part of me was inclined to believe this might have been a sob story to get my money, but a bigger part of me actually believed the guy. When I gave him a few extra cedis beyond what he requested, his eyes lit up and nothing but gratitude washed over that man. Us foreigners really do make it or break it for these guys.

It’s nice stuff, and really, twenty cedis for an authentic African handcrafted good isn’t really that bad of a deal. On any given day at Pier 1 imports, I would be likely to pay forty to fifty dollars for a similar item. My grandfather was talented with woodcarving and crafts, my father is equally as talented, and my brother seems to also have acquired the skill of being handy, so I really appreciate the art of it all. After Ahwiaa, we walked down the road to Pankrono, which is well known for their pottery. Pottery goods, which are crafted with clay found on African roads. Can’t get much more authentic than that. A good day indeed.

Left, Left....Left, Right, Left

“Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are those we can even describe, aren’t even aware of.” -- Anonymous

I have become hyper-aware of my right hand. Traditionally in Ghana, the left hand is thought to be used solely for dirty things, like self-cleaning or other private matters. Therefore, it’s considered insulting to greet a person with your left hand or give someone something with that dirty ole’ lefty of yours. Don’t wave with it, give out money with it, or eat with it. I have seen people not accept money or paperwork of some sort because it was given to them with a left hand. After some time, it has become the norm for me. I find myself noticing others as well now. It’s like when you find a grammatical error on a billboard or a restaurant menu, you kind of gawk for a minute and feel embarrassed for the person’s error. Yesterday I taught a lesson at the primary school here on my college campus and I said good-bye to some of the students by shaking their hands. However, my right hand was holding up a pile of books, so I used my left. Guilt washed over me immediately! I quickly switched the books to my left hand and continued on with the obruni-worship session. (The kids are enthralled with me – still, after months!)

So what do you do if you are left-handed you might ask? It seems you suffer a bit. My friend Juliana’s oldest son is left-handed. He is 5 years old and at his first school, he was scolded and beaten because he was using his left hand. Juliana is a very modern-day Ghanaian woman and this simply infuriated her, so she removed her child from that school. She could care less if he uses his left hand, so she has let nature take its course and the kid is left-handed. Good for her! Love some progressivism in action.

Life, In a Nutshell

“Present your family and friends with their eulogies now - they won't be able to hear how much you love them and appreciate them from the grave.” ~Anonymous

The mother of one of my closest friends is having brain surgery today. Doctors found a mass that they believe is a glioma, otherwise known as brain cancer. Completely out of the blue here comes doom. I’ve known this woman most of my life and spent many many evenings in her home while in high school. She has always treated me like a daughter and I love her like a mother. Sandy is one of the most generous and positive people I know. I can only imagine how terrified she must be feeling right now, but knowing Sandy, she’s cracking jokes and roasting the doctors and nurses. I hope that this brain tumor business is only a small setback and that Sandy will be back on her feet in no time at all.

Life is short people. This woman is 60, but I remember, just like it was yesterday, the nights I would spend in her home as a teenager. Time moves like lightning. Quick and in a flash. You blink and twenty years have passed. Say I love you, often. If you can’t say it, show it. Hug. Email. Call. Whatever you have to do. Do what you love and live your dreams, but be sure to remember the important people along the way.

The Ghana Crew

“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”

My fellow teaching volunteers are some of my favorite people in Ghana. These women are inspiring, fun, supportive and adventurous. Just the way I like ‘em. J

Tiffany is a nutrition whiz. Ask this girl anything you need to know about healthy eating, and she’ll help you out. Hearing of her cooking tales has inspired me to want to do more of my own cooking rather than always relying on take-out or frozen pizza. I admire Tiffany because she stands her ground and doesn’t back down from her beliefs. She will be brutally honest with you, but she is also kind and easy to talk to. She has found love in Ghana and I couldn’t be happier for her!

Sonia is a friend to everyone. Literally. This woman makes friends everywhere she goes! I commend her eagerness to connect with people, especially since I often lean towards a life of solitude. Sonia is ambitious and passionate. She is very strong in her faith, and though I don’t hold the same beliefs, I admire her devotion and big heart. Sonia is working very hard to try to get the young people of Ghana to see life in a new light and I know that she will make a major impact wherever she steps foot.

Amy S., my fellow obruni, is exceptionally generous and empathetic. She is a great listener and has, on more than one occasion, sat and listened to my random babble without complaint. Amy is on top of things and she likes to be prepared, which is right up my alley. She graciously opened her home up to visitors and left gifts, maps, and directions to make the stay a little easier for us. Amy really cares about the people in her life and she makes sure to take care of them. Though transitioning homelands is tough, Amy is living a dream with her upcoming move to London. You go girl!

Mabel is that eager young educator who hasn’t let the system jade her. She loves her students and this passion for education shines through when you speak to her. Mabel is soft-spoken, and very intelligent. Being that she is Ghanaian and has been to this country several times, Mabel has been very helpful and generous with advice about how to live and get around safely in Ghana. I have greatly appreciated her insight. Mabel’s gentle spirit and kind heart make you want to be around her because she puts you at ease without even trying. I’m happy to know this girl and am thrilled for her and her love!

For the rest of my life, I will connect this experience to these women. I will be forever grateful to have gotten to know these lovely ladies. Ghana Crew forever!

Sick & Tired

I’m sick and because I’m in Africa, I’m more nervous than usual. I have a terrible cold that isn’t getting better, even after taking the cold/flu medicine I brought with me from home. Sore throat, stuffed up, completely exhausted. This Harmattan season brings very cold nights and very hot days. It’s incredibly dry and is negatively affecting my physical well-being. I imagine the cold will go away with some good drugs, which I will be getting at a pharmacy in town in just a few minutes. Thankfully my roommate is helping me out, because most likely if I showed up on my own, the language barrier would make the pharmacy visit far more challenging than it needs to be. Though people speak English here, there are so many differences in my version versus their version. Not sure how “cold” translates to Ghanaians and I’m really in no mood to try to explain. African roommate to the rescue.

I also strained a muscle in my back, which isn’t getting any better, five days after I injured it. On Monday, I did some sit ups in my room, walked into the kitchen, turned from one counter to another and felt a ping. A sharp ping. I imagine the over-exertion with the sit-ups prompted something. It’s not good. This back issue is far more concerning to me than the cold. I’m doing everything the internet is telling me to do – apply heat, apply ice, rest. Pain is still generally the same. I’m terribly uncomfortable. My roommate mentioned taking me to see a “specialist” on Monday, and I hate to be like this, but do I really trust doctors here? When I got a physical in September at some clinic in Accra, this guy had me lay down, he poked my belly and he was done. Thorough wouldn’t be a word I would use to describe this physical. Afterwards, while sitting at his desk, the doctor asked to be my friend on Facebook. I mean, how much more unprofessional can it get? So, the thought of going to some “specialist” in this po-dunk town doesn’t really put my mind at ease. For the most part, I’m a healthy gal. Sure, I’ve pulled muscles before, but generally in my legs. I would ice it, and a few days later it would be fine. The back is trickier I fear. I guess I will just keep up with the ice and rest and see what happens. My anxiety would really rather if this just went away so I don’t have to deal with the medical world of Ghana.

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Event: Bechem United football club vs. Accra Hearts of Oak football club

Venue: Soccer stadium in Bechem

Cost: 3GHC

Scheduled Game Time: 3pm

Actual start time: 3pm – amazing!

Final score: Bechem United, 0 – Accra Hearts of Oak, 1

It's Not Easy

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.” -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Want to throw this disclaimer out there. I’m not saying I know everything about the life of Ghanaians, but I would like to paint somewhat of a picture for outsiders based on my observations. The majority of my time is spent in a rural community, so that is where my info is coming from. The upper class and the lower class dominate Ghanaian society. The middle class is relatively small in comparison. In Accra, you will find mansions comparable to ones found in the North Shore communities of Chicago, while in the rural areas, you will find people living in primitive shacks made of bamboo and other natural products. The dichotomy is insane. Over half of the Ghanaian population is involved in some sort of agricultural work, so this dictates much of what people do on a day-to-day basis. I am living in a rural area, and the majority of Ghana’s population resides in these rural areas. About a third of the population lives in urban areas. (This is info I gathered online)

Life is hard work here. Most Ghanaians wake up very early each day, around 4:30am or 5:00am. By 6am when the sun comes up, women are walking around with tins of goods on their heads. I've seen a few men here and there, but mostly women of all ages. Some hoist a large metal tin atop their head, while some use a small windowed box with a lid. Also at these early hours of the day, women and men are setting up their shops or food stands. Some are boiling bofrut in hot oil, roasting plantains, chopping coconuts, others might be laying out their vegetables or, getting their porridge baggies organized, or displaying their tools or electronics. You can buy just about anything from the head of an African. In rural communities, it’s mostly edible stuff: bofrut (donut balls), turnovers (folded fried dough stuffed with corned beef and onions), eggs, apples, pineapple, and the list goes on. In larger cities, you can get toothbrushes, combs, books, key chains, cloth, handkerchiefs, and too many more items to list here. Here in Ghana, people don’t do one-stop shopping. You walk around a market area and find what you need from various vendors. If you’ve got some money, you can go to the Accra mall, but that place is generally reserved for the middle to upper class of Ghana with its outrageous costs.

Many children go to school each day, but unfortunately, not all. If a family cannot afford the school fees, the kids don't go. Throughout a day, people sell, sell, sell. This is many people’s livelihood and means of survival. Men are in charge of transportation here. They drive and repair the taxis and trotros and make their living that way. Last week, one of my taxi drivers told me that in addition to driving a taxi he works in construction. Because his wife passed away, these professions allow him the flexibility to cater to his children as needed. In between taxi pick-ups and drop-offs, he’s running home to feed his kids and take them to school. It’s not easy. In addition to selling, women are often washing clothes or cooking. I’ve never once seen my roommate’s husband wash a dirty dish or prepare a meal. In fact, even his meals are served to him in his room so he doesn’t ever even have to enter the kitchen. I rarely see men engaging in household chores, and the same is true with preparing fires. I generally see women fetching the wood and establishing the flames for stoves or coal pots. I’ve been told that women are the most powerful people in Ghana and I can see why that statement would be made. Men seem to have more free time to socialize and engage in leisure activities. For example, each time I walk to Bechem, I always see a group of men playing a game called Draft, which I think is similar to Checkers. Never ever have I seen women engaging in any sort of fun like this because they’re too busy breastfeeding or cooking or washing or managing the world it seems. The roles of each sex seem fairly established. Obviously, it’s not absolutely true across the board, but generally speaking, women take care of the house and the children, while men drive around or hang out with neighbors and friends. Again, in urban communities, the percentage of both men and women working in professional settings is much higher, but this is what I have seen in the rural setting.

As evening approaches, you will find families preparing meals or closing up shop. People pounding fufu is a common sight or stirring large pots of banku. The sides of the roads fill with children and teachers walking home from school. At promptly 6pm each night, the sun drops. Twelve hours later, everyone gets up and does it all over again.

I am so grateful for my life as an American woman. I have options. On any given day, I can go to a movie, a museum or the beach. I can eat any type of food from anywhere around the world. I can get in my car and drive to a state park where I can marvel at caves and wildlife. I can walk into a used bookstore, get a $2 book, and walk down to Starbucks and relax for a few hours with a vanilla latte. I can take a painting class or a pottery class or a boxing class. I can order food that will be delivered directly to my door if I don’t feel like cooking. I can seek out a band at a bar or an art exhibit at a gallery. I can rent a bike for a day or walk along the lakefront. I can get on a train just for fun. I can see a comedian, a play, or a musical. I love having these options, and know that I am lucky to have them. I cannot even fathom the idea that my life would ever revolve solely around cooking, cleaning, working, and child-rearing, which is the case for many women here. Though I do three of these things because I have to, my mind requires so much more stimulation. People seem genuinely happy here though. Even the students here who do insane amounts of chores. And ultimately, happiness is what everyone is hoping for anyways, right? The hardest thing for me in seeing this lifestyle, is that I know about the other options out there. I know different. But, I get it. If you’ve never had those options, then you don’t really have any idea of what you are missing. More than anything, Ghana is teaching me to appreciate my life and my American citizenship.

Trotros, Taxis, and Buses, Oh My!

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” – Albert Einstein

A good friend told me that the post about the visitor I was supposed to have was too dramatic. Maybe she’s right, but it was my reality at the time. Disappointment is like the monster under your bed. You talk yourself into believing it’s not there and that it doesn’t matter and that you will be fine. So you fall asleep, but that little monster somehow manages to creep up on you in your dreams. You try to fight off that monster: maybe you scream, maybe you swing a fist, maybe you throw a pillow. Your heart is in it so maybe the reaction isn’t always the smartest or most well thought out. That's life. You live, you learn, and you move on. People come and people go, but each person can be a true learning experience and provide something to move forward with.

Speaking of moving forward….transportation here in Ghana is a trip, actually, no, it’s a journey. Every. Single. Time. Traffic in the cities is atrocious. Construction galore is part of the problem. But it’s also the fact that the only available forms of public transportation are taxis or trotros. A lot of people do not own their own cars, so they rely solely on these public transportation options. Oh how amazing a train system would be! It would lighten the load on the roads and help people breathe better. These old jalopies clunkin’ around town are shooting out all kinds of fumes, which I’m sure is part of the reason why respiratory infections are the second most frequently diagnosed illness in Ghana. Traffic dictates the day. It can take several hours to travel 40-50 miles. For example, today, it took my bus five hours to travel approximately 90 miles. Insane!

This is a trotro. These things are everywhere. Some are rankety and covered in dust, while others are pristine with a working air conditioner. Each trotro has a mate who is in charge of collecting money and yelling the destination out the window. Stations are spread throughout a large city, or in my small town of Bechem, there is just one general lorry station as they call it. There is no schedule. People just stand and wait and hope that one shows up with an open seat. If you get really lucky, your trotro will only hold three passengers per row rather than four, or five, which crazily has happened in my presence. Most rides are tight, bumpy, and fast. The cost varies depending on distance and can be anywhere from 50 peswes to 5 cedis. These minivans don't leave until they are absolutely full, so passengers just have to sit back and relax while the mate tries to round up more riders. Trotros are not approved modes of transportation by my volunteer organization, but I’ve survived every ride, so just call me a rebel! I’m hoppin’ on trotros! And I'm having a blast!

Taxis are also everywhere. Same idea as trotros. Some are pristine, some have holes in the floor. Big difference here is that a lot of the time, in a large city especially, you have to negotiate the cost. However, from my town of Bechem, going to Sunyani is always 2 cedis and going to Kumasi is always 2 cedis 50 peswes. Some towns also have shared taxi rides where you pay a set amount and the taxi picks up passengers along the route. For example, to get from the training college in Cape Coast to the market in town is 60 peswes, every time, no matter who you are. These set prices are for the heavily traveled routes. But, for just random pick-ups, you have to barter. As a foreigner, and specifically a white foreigner, it seems the cost offered is always outrageous. Now, outrageous is relative my friends. 5 cedis to go ten minutes here is too much, but I realize in Chicago that would be a deal since it costs $3 just to sit down. Anywho….it goes like this. For a random pick up, you wave a taxi down, tell the location, ask the cost, and say yes, or no with a counter-offer. Some drivers take the counter offer, and some walk away. I think many of the taxi drivers just assume us foreigners don’t know any better, so they jack the prices way up. Just have to stand your ground! Someone is always willing to help out.

This is one of the various buses that transports people throughout Ghana. These only go longer distances and don’t operate like a public bus system in a city in the states. There’s several private bus companies: STC, VIP, MMT to name a few. Bus stations are only in the larger cities, but it’s possible for a person to get picked up in Bechem. I can go to the bus office in town the day before I want to travel, buy the ticket, and then show up the next morning. The buses will stop in the smaller towns, but only if tickets were purchased ahead of time. I’ve spent a fair amount of time on buses traipsing all over this lovely country. Some rides are air-conditioned, some utilize nature as an air conditioner, some seats are cushiony, some seats are straight up hard plastic. Like a trotro, a bus doesn’t leave until it’s full. About a month ago, I sat on a bus in a parking lot for two hours waiting for every single seat to fill up. Then, I had a four hour ride to my destination. It's not easy.

Patience: the greatest lesson I am learning from Ghana’s transportation system. It’s encouraging to see highways being constructed and roads being paved. Progress is being made, but it’s slow. So, us visitors just have to relax and enjoy the ride.

Ode to a Washing Machine

Washing machine, oh washing machine,

Strong and tall you are.

Always available and generally reliable.

Opening your door to me when I need you.

Washing machine, oh washing machine,

Self-filling and swift.

Swishing, swishing, and swishing.

Spinning, rinsing, and delivering.

Washing machine, oh washing machine

You scrub my clothes so good.

Your firm but loving touch works wonders.

Never a speck of dirt remaining.

Washing machine, oh washing machine,

I miss you deeply, I do.

We will meet again soon my friend.

With much appreciation I will return to you.

Happy New Year!

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. -- Benjamin Franklin

My New Year’s Eve celebration was spent at Oasis Beach Resort in Cape Coast, Ghana. Surprisingly, the place was swarming with obrunis! I mean, I know a lot of whites hang out at this place being that there are many tour groups and volunteers here in Cape Coast, but it felt like I flew home for the evening. It ended up being a typical American-style New Year’s Eve. Though it started out authentically African with traditional music and dancing, eventually the evening spiraled into a club-type atmosphere, much to my dismay. Clubbin’ isn’t so much my thing, and I don’t generally find joy in random strangers trying to hit on me or the meat-market mentality of some of the patrons. So, Sonia boogied down with an African and I did my usual people-watching. J I was perfectly content. At midnight fireworks went off on the beach and two ginormous bonfires blazed. I squeezed in a game of pool with an African man named Abdul, who could have slaughtered me within minutes if he really wanted to, but he gave this obruni a chance. Overall, it was a pleasant evening and I got to continue my little tradition of celebrating New Year’s in another country. 2010 was Chiang Mai, Thailand, 2011 was Venice, Italy, and now 2012 was here in Cape Coast Ghana. Not a bad deal.

New Year’s Goals.

I’m going to call them “goals” rather than “resolutions”. I mean, really people, resolutions are impossible. It’s basically a way to set yourself up for failure because they are always impossible and over-the-top. But, to set some goals and actively shift some of your thoughts seems more reasonable and possible to actually adhere to. My life here in Ghana has definitely prompted some of these goals.

1. Minimize the amount of food I take in that comes out of a box. The majority of my meals here are made with all natural products and minimal salt. Here, I’m not eating much of anything from a box and I feel good. Lighter and more sure of the idea that I’m not killing myself with sodium. Why buy a disgusting box of hamburger helper when I can make my own version with some fresh veggies instead? Rhiannon will be so proud of me. J

2. Minimize the amount of soda I drink. Same thing as above. I’m not saying I will never drink a coke, because I love soft drinks. But, more water is better and is making me feel tons less bloated.

3. Work out at least 4 times a week. There is absolutely no reason why I can’t do this. And it doesn’t have to be some crazy intense three-hour workout. Thirty good minutes of cardio in several times a week and some targeted toning exercises. Doing this in the last few months has made me feel more energetic and less heavy. No reason I can’t keep this up stateside.

4. Keep writing. More than just keeping my friends and family updated on my adventures, writing has become a time for me to decompress and chill out.

5. Work on becoming an extraordinary teacher. I would put myself in the good category right now. In my years of teaching elementary school, I screwed up really bad so many times. I complained constantly about behaviors and mishandled tons of situations. I also watched other teachers do the same and have learned a ton. Though I think I have a good handle on planning and delivery of instruction, to be this extraordinary teacher, I have to work on consistency and better handling my responses to ridiculous behaviors. Counting to ten and breathing works wonders.

This list could go on and on…..but I’m going to keep it reasonable in the hopes that I will avoid total failure.

Happy New Year! Cheers to 2012!