Hi everyone. Blogspot is really not working very well for me in Ghana. The latest problem is that I cannot get my documents to copy and paste into the text box for my blog. I am going to start using the 'notes' function on facebook. Follow me there!
Let me know if you have any questions about Ghana or about what I am doing!
Love you/life!
Maureen
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Decmber 19
December 19, 2009
Akwaaba! I have made it to Ghana. It is so surreal being here and taking everything in. The amount of things to see and learn and look at are completely overwhelming. Everywhere you turn there are welcoming faces, street vendors, wandering animals, and happy children. The weather is VERY hot and EXTREMELY humid. Today was 90F and 70% humidity.
Both of my flights were very pleasant. While I was in the security line in Cleveland, I mentioned to a man in front of me that I was headed to Ghana, and a Ghanaian couple behind me overheard where I was going and were overjoyed about my trip. We had both of our flights together, so they took me under their wing, and prepared me for my trip. They waited for me and the three other Cross Cultural Solutions volunteers to come off of the plane in Ghana, and they helped us get our baggage. One of the volunteers (Katherine’s) luggage got lost, and the Ghanaian couple helped her claim the lost items. They then helped us find our way to our driver, and took some contact information so that they could keep in touch. I feel so lucky to have met them. What a wonderful example of how kind-hearted almost all Ghanaians seem to be.
Once we found our driver, we loaded our bags up and took a 3.5 hour (air-conditioned) drive to Hohoe where I will be living the next 12 weeks. We had lunch, took a nap and then took a tour of the bustling city. Everywhere you look there are people selling fruit and fish, cutting hair right out on the street, singing and dancing, and enjoying life. Three children, about 5 years old, came up to us today to shake our hands. We shook their hands and said hello, and once we left our tour guide, George, told us that we had just made their day. For children in Ghana, it is a very big deal to shake the hand of a white person. It made me really happy that we were able to put a smile on these children’s faces.
So far the food is wonderful. For dinner we had a type of potato with a tomato sauce on top, plantains, and fresh mango. I talked to another vegan today who advised me to make sure that I am very conscious about getting protein. I am going to try to find a jar of peanut butter tomorrow so that I can take a few spoonfulls and not worry too much about protein.
I also was very excited when I opened up my bags this evening to unpack, and my wonderful Akron friends made me an absolutely gorgeous book. Many of my friends took the time to write me such thoughtful notes. I know that I am really going to appreciate having this piece of home with me, and I look forward to looking at the book often and thinking about all the people that I love.
I am really looking forward to settling in and starting to feel familiar with the town and the language. I am feeling out of my element and a bit nervous about this whole being gone for 14 weeks deal. I am sure that once I settle in, the time will fly by. I feel so lucky to be in such a wonderful place with so many great people.
I think that in about a week I will be getting a pre-paid phone so that I will be able to call home and you will be able to call me. The internet here is pretty ‘sketchy’ and it is hard to know when it will work. The electricity also goes out several times a week, so it is hard to know when I will be able to skype or email.
I will be in touch. I love you all!
Maureen
Akwaaba! I have made it to Ghana. It is so surreal being here and taking everything in. The amount of things to see and learn and look at are completely overwhelming. Everywhere you turn there are welcoming faces, street vendors, wandering animals, and happy children. The weather is VERY hot and EXTREMELY humid. Today was 90F and 70% humidity.
Both of my flights were very pleasant. While I was in the security line in Cleveland, I mentioned to a man in front of me that I was headed to Ghana, and a Ghanaian couple behind me overheard where I was going and were overjoyed about my trip. We had both of our flights together, so they took me under their wing, and prepared me for my trip. They waited for me and the three other Cross Cultural Solutions volunteers to come off of the plane in Ghana, and they helped us get our baggage. One of the volunteers (Katherine’s) luggage got lost, and the Ghanaian couple helped her claim the lost items. They then helped us find our way to our driver, and took some contact information so that they could keep in touch. I feel so lucky to have met them. What a wonderful example of how kind-hearted almost all Ghanaians seem to be.
Once we found our driver, we loaded our bags up and took a 3.5 hour (air-conditioned) drive to Hohoe where I will be living the next 12 weeks. We had lunch, took a nap and then took a tour of the bustling city. Everywhere you look there are people selling fruit and fish, cutting hair right out on the street, singing and dancing, and enjoying life. Three children, about 5 years old, came up to us today to shake our hands. We shook their hands and said hello, and once we left our tour guide, George, told us that we had just made their day. For children in Ghana, it is a very big deal to shake the hand of a white person. It made me really happy that we were able to put a smile on these children’s faces.
So far the food is wonderful. For dinner we had a type of potato with a tomato sauce on top, plantains, and fresh mango. I talked to another vegan today who advised me to make sure that I am very conscious about getting protein. I am going to try to find a jar of peanut butter tomorrow so that I can take a few spoonfulls and not worry too much about protein.
I also was very excited when I opened up my bags this evening to unpack, and my wonderful Akron friends made me an absolutely gorgeous book. Many of my friends took the time to write me such thoughtful notes. I know that I am really going to appreciate having this piece of home with me, and I look forward to looking at the book often and thinking about all the people that I love.
I am really looking forward to settling in and starting to feel familiar with the town and the language. I am feeling out of my element and a bit nervous about this whole being gone for 14 weeks deal. I am sure that once I settle in, the time will fly by. I feel so lucky to be in such a wonderful place with so many great people.
I think that in about a week I will be getting a pre-paid phone so that I will be able to call home and you will be able to call me. The internet here is pretty ‘sketchy’ and it is hard to know when it will work. The electricity also goes out several times a week, so it is hard to know when I will be able to skype or email.
I will be in touch. I love you all!
Maureen
Decmber 19
December 19, 2009
Akwaaba! I have made it to Ghana. It is so surreal being here and taking everything in. The amount of things to see and learn and look at are completely overwhelming. Everywhere you turn there are welcoming faces, street vendors, wandering animals, and happy children. The weather is VERY hot and EXTREMELY humid. Today was 90F and 70% humidity.
Both of my flights were very pleasant. While I was in the security line in Cleveland, I mentioned to a man in front of me that I was headed to Ghana, and a Ghanaian couple behind me overheard where I was going and were overjoyed about my trip. We had both of our flights together, so they took me under their wing, and prepared me for my trip. They waited for me and the three other Cross Cultural Solutions volunteers to come off of the plane in Ghana, and they helped us get our baggage. One of the volunteers (Katherine’s) luggage got lost, and the Ghanaian couple helped her claim the lost items. They then helped us find our way to our driver, and took some contact information so that they could keep in touch. I feel so lucky to have met them. What a wonderful example of how kind-hearted almost all Ghanaians seem to be.
Once we found our driver, we loaded our bags up and took a 3.5 hour (air-conditioned) drive to Hohoe where I will be living the next 12 weeks. We had lunch, took a nap and then took a tour of the bustling city. Everywhere you look there are people selling fruit and fish, cutting hair right out on the street, singing and dancing, and enjoying life. Three children, about 5 years old, came up to us today to shake our hands. We shook their hands and said hello, and once we left our tour guide, George, told us that we had just made their day. For children in Ghana, it is a very big deal to shake the hand of a white person. It made me really happy that we were able to put a smile on these children’s faces.
So far the food is wonderful. For dinner we had a type of potato with a tomato sauce on top, plantains, and fresh mango. I talked to another vegan today who advised me to make sure that I am very conscious about getting protein. I am going to try to find a jar of peanut butter tomorrow so that I can take a few spoonfulls and not worry too much about protein.
I also was very excited when I opened up my bags this evening to unpack, and my wonderful Akron friends made me an absolutely gorgeous book. Many of my friends took the time to write me such thoughtful notes. I know that I am really going to appreciate having this piece of home with me, and I look forward to looking at the book often and thinking about all the people that I love.
I am really looking forward to settling in and starting to feel familiar with the town and the language. I am feeling out of my element and a bit nervous about this whole being gone for 14 weeks deal. I am sure that once I settle in, the time will fly by. I feel so lucky to be in such a wonderful place with so many great people.
I think that in about a week I will be getting a pre-paid phone so that I will be able to call home and you will be able to call me. The internet here is pretty ‘sketchy’ and it is hard to know when it will work. The electricity also goes out several times a week, so it is hard to know when I will be able to skype or email.
I will be in touch. I love you all!
Maureen
Akwaaba! I have made it to Ghana. It is so surreal being here and taking everything in. The amount of things to see and learn and look at are completely overwhelming. Everywhere you turn there are welcoming faces, street vendors, wandering animals, and happy children. The weather is VERY hot and EXTREMELY humid. Today was 90F and 70% humidity.
Both of my flights were very pleasant. While I was in the security line in Cleveland, I mentioned to a man in front of me that I was headed to Ghana, and a Ghanaian couple behind me overheard where I was going and were overjoyed about my trip. We had both of our flights together, so they took me under their wing, and prepared me for my trip. They waited for me and the three other Cross Cultural Solutions volunteers to come off of the plane in Ghana, and they helped us get our baggage. One of the volunteers (Katherine’s) luggage got lost, and the Ghanaian couple helped her claim the lost items. They then helped us find our way to our driver, and took some contact information so that they could keep in touch. I feel so lucky to have met them. What a wonderful example of how kind-hearted almost all Ghanaians seem to be.
Once we found our driver, we loaded our bags up and took a 3.5 hour (air-conditioned) drive to Hohoe where I will be living the next 12 weeks. We had lunch, took a nap and then took a tour of the bustling city. Everywhere you look there are people selling fruit and fish, cutting hair right out on the street, singing and dancing, and enjoying life. Three children, about 5 years old, came up to us today to shake our hands. We shook their hands and said hello, and once we left our tour guide, George, told us that we had just made their day. For children in Ghana, it is a very big deal to shake the hand of a white person. It made me really happy that we were able to put a smile on these children’s faces.
So far the food is wonderful. For dinner we had a type of potato with a tomato sauce on top, plantains, and fresh mango. I talked to another vegan today who advised me to make sure that I am very conscious about getting protein. I am going to try to find a jar of peanut butter tomorrow so that I can take a few spoonfulls and not worry too much about protein.
I also was very excited when I opened up my bags this evening to unpack, and my wonderful Akron friends made me an absolutely gorgeous book. Many of my friends took the time to write me such thoughtful notes. I know that I am really going to appreciate having this piece of home with me, and I look forward to looking at the book often and thinking about all the people that I love.
I am really looking forward to settling in and starting to feel familiar with the town and the language. I am feeling out of my element and a bit nervous about this whole being gone for 14 weeks deal. I am sure that once I settle in, the time will fly by. I feel so lucky to be in such a wonderful place with so many great people.
I think that in about a week I will be getting a pre-paid phone so that I will be able to call home and you will be able to call me. The internet here is pretty ‘sketchy’ and it is hard to know when it will work. The electricity also goes out several times a week, so it is hard to know when I will be able to skype or email.
I will be in touch. I love you all!
Maureen
12/19/2009
December 19, 2009
Akwaaba! I have made it to Ghana. It is so surreal being here and taking everything in. The amount of things to see and learn and look at are completely overwhelming. Everywhere you turn there are welcoming faces, street vendors, wandering animals, and happy children. The weather is VERY hot and EXTREMELY humid. Today was 90F and 70% humidity.
Both of my flights were very pleasant. While I was in the security line in Cleveland, I mentioned to a man in front of me that I was headed to Ghana, and a Ghanaian couple behind me overheard where I was going and were overjoyed about my trip. We had both of our flights together, so they took me under their wing, and prepared me for my trip. They waited for me and the three other Cross Cultural Solutions volunteers to come off of the plane in Ghana, and they helped us get our baggage. One of the volunteers (Katherine’s) luggage got lost, and the Ghanaian couple helped her claim the lost items. They then helped us find our way to our driver, and took some contact information so that they could keep in touch. I feel so lucky to have met them. What a wonderful example of how kind-hearted almost all Ghanaians seem to be.
Once we found our driver, we loaded our bags up and took a 3.5 hour (air-conditioned) drive to Hohoe where I will be living the next 12 weeks. We had lunch, took a nap and then took a tour of the bustling city. Everywhere you look there are people selling fruit and fish, cutting hair right out on the street, singing and dancing, and enjoying life. Three children, about 5 years old, came up to us today to shake our hands. We shook their hands and said hello, and once we left our tour guide, George, told us that we had just made their day. For children in Ghana, it is a very big deal to shake the hand of a white person. It made me really happy that we were able to put a smile on these children’s faces.
So far the food is wonderful. For dinner we had a type of potato with a tomato sauce on top, plantains, and fresh mango. I talked to another vegan today who advised me to make sure that I am very conscious about getting protein. I am going to try to find a jar of peanut butter tomorrow so that I can take a few spoonfulls and not worry too much about protein.
I also was very excited when I opened up my bags this evening to unpack, and my wonderful Akron friends made me an absolutely gorgeous book. Many of my friends took the time to write me such thoughtful notes. I know that I am really going to appreciate having this piece of home with me, and I look forward to looking at the book often and thinking about all the people that I love.
I am really looking forward to settling in and starting to feel familiar with the town and the language. I am feeling out of my element and a bit nervous about this whole being gone for 14 weeks deal. I am sure that once I settle in, the time will fly by. I feel so lucky to be in such a wonderful place with so many great people.
I think that in about a week I will be getting a pre-paid phone so that I will be able to call home and you will be able to call me. The internet here is pretty ‘sketchy’ and it is hard to know when it will work. The electricity also goes out several times a week, so it is hard to know when I will be able to skype or email.
I will be in touch. I love you all!
Maureen
Akwaaba! I have made it to Ghana. It is so surreal being here and taking everything in. The amount of things to see and learn and look at are completely overwhelming. Everywhere you turn there are welcoming faces, street vendors, wandering animals, and happy children. The weather is VERY hot and EXTREMELY humid. Today was 90F and 70% humidity.
Both of my flights were very pleasant. While I was in the security line in Cleveland, I mentioned to a man in front of me that I was headed to Ghana, and a Ghanaian couple behind me overheard where I was going and were overjoyed about my trip. We had both of our flights together, so they took me under their wing, and prepared me for my trip. They waited for me and the three other Cross Cultural Solutions volunteers to come off of the plane in Ghana, and they helped us get our baggage. One of the volunteers (Katherine’s) luggage got lost, and the Ghanaian couple helped her claim the lost items. They then helped us find our way to our driver, and took some contact information so that they could keep in touch. I feel so lucky to have met them. What a wonderful example of how kind-hearted almost all Ghanaians seem to be.
Once we found our driver, we loaded our bags up and took a 3.5 hour (air-conditioned) drive to Hohoe where I will be living the next 12 weeks. We had lunch, took a nap and then took a tour of the bustling city. Everywhere you look there are people selling fruit and fish, cutting hair right out on the street, singing and dancing, and enjoying life. Three children, about 5 years old, came up to us today to shake our hands. We shook their hands and said hello, and once we left our tour guide, George, told us that we had just made their day. For children in Ghana, it is a very big deal to shake the hand of a white person. It made me really happy that we were able to put a smile on these children’s faces.
So far the food is wonderful. For dinner we had a type of potato with a tomato sauce on top, plantains, and fresh mango. I talked to another vegan today who advised me to make sure that I am very conscious about getting protein. I am going to try to find a jar of peanut butter tomorrow so that I can take a few spoonfulls and not worry too much about protein.
I also was very excited when I opened up my bags this evening to unpack, and my wonderful Akron friends made me an absolutely gorgeous book. Many of my friends took the time to write me such thoughtful notes. I know that I am really going to appreciate having this piece of home with me, and I look forward to looking at the book often and thinking about all the people that I love.
I am really looking forward to settling in and starting to feel familiar with the town and the language. I am feeling out of my element and a bit nervous about this whole being gone for 14 weeks deal. I am sure that once I settle in, the time will fly by. I feel so lucky to be in such a wonderful place with so many great people.
I think that in about a week I will be getting a pre-paid phone so that I will be able to call home and you will be able to call me. The internet here is pretty ‘sketchy’ and it is hard to know when it will work. The electricity also goes out several times a week, so it is hard to know when I will be able to skype or email.
I will be in touch. I love you all!
Maureen
Monday, December 21, 2009
Im Here!
After all this time and talk about going to Ghana, I have finally made it. I am constantly amazed that I get to live in this beautiful country with all of these lovely people. Everyone here is so welcoming and so nice.
Since I have been here, we have done so many things. Yesterday, we spent much of the day in orientation. We also had a Ewe (a-way) lesson which proved to be interesting, but VERY difficult. I also learned how to play Texas Hold'Em. We were betting with toothpicks. I got second place! Not bad for a first timer. Dad, are you proud?
Today was our first day at our placements. I am placed at an orphanage called "House of Hope". There are about 30 children there, ranging from age 5-15. They are truly wonderful children, and I cannot wait to work with them. The children learn English throughout schol, so the younger ones create a pretty significant language barrier, but we can still have alot of fun and communicate. Right now is there Christmas break, so they will not go back to school until the 14th. When they go to school, we will go with them and help out in the public school system. The facility is very nice and the children are well taken care of. The mother of the house, Elizabeth is so sweet and so caring. The children are so lucky to have her caring for them. The bathrooms at the orphanage are very basic, as in a hole in the ground. Today, when I peeked in, there were lizards crawling all over the bathroom area. I think it will take a while to build up the guts to use this restroom!
After volunteering today, we went to the market, where there were thousands of people and hundreds of booths selling music, food, cloth, and much more. I bought some cloth so that I could get some skirts made. I think that I am going to come home with MANY traditional clothes from Ghana.
Once we got home from the market, we had a welcome ceremony from the local community in the form of drumming and dancing. After they finished demostrating, we were able to participate in both activitites. Dancing always looks easier than it really is, but it was certainly a lot of fun!
The food here is really good, although overloaded with carbs. This is only a bad thing because I had a few pounds to loose, but it is SO delicious!
I am overjoyed with Ghana. It is so beautiful to see how people with so little can love their life so much. The children at the orphanage use all the toys that American children would have thrown out years ago, but they are so proud of what they have, and they make so much use of these things. They are happy with everything that they have, and they dont have the constant desire for more. The people here are just full of joy and love. It is a great thing to witness.
I have been writing every night on word document, and when the wireless internet works, I will upload them to my blog. I will then be able to put pictures up as well. For now, I will post these overviews as often as I can make it to the internet cafe.
I love you all!
Keep in touch and email me at mfarris29@gmail.com if you would like. I cant wait to hear from you.
And to all of my friends who put together the beautiful <3 akron book, I cant even tell you how much it meant to me. I will cherish that book FOREVER! I am sure that it will help me get through any difficult days that may come.
P.S. I am going to spend Christmas SWEATING...A LOT! Will it be snowing in Ohio?
Love you/life.
Since I have been here, we have done so many things. Yesterday, we spent much of the day in orientation. We also had a Ewe (a-way) lesson which proved to be interesting, but VERY difficult. I also learned how to play Texas Hold'Em. We were betting with toothpicks. I got second place! Not bad for a first timer. Dad, are you proud?
Today was our first day at our placements. I am placed at an orphanage called "House of Hope". There are about 30 children there, ranging from age 5-15. They are truly wonderful children, and I cannot wait to work with them. The children learn English throughout schol, so the younger ones create a pretty significant language barrier, but we can still have alot of fun and communicate. Right now is there Christmas break, so they will not go back to school until the 14th. When they go to school, we will go with them and help out in the public school system. The facility is very nice and the children are well taken care of. The mother of the house, Elizabeth is so sweet and so caring. The children are so lucky to have her caring for them. The bathrooms at the orphanage are very basic, as in a hole in the ground. Today, when I peeked in, there were lizards crawling all over the bathroom area. I think it will take a while to build up the guts to use this restroom!
After volunteering today, we went to the market, where there were thousands of people and hundreds of booths selling music, food, cloth, and much more. I bought some cloth so that I could get some skirts made. I think that I am going to come home with MANY traditional clothes from Ghana.
Once we got home from the market, we had a welcome ceremony from the local community in the form of drumming and dancing. After they finished demostrating, we were able to participate in both activitites. Dancing always looks easier than it really is, but it was certainly a lot of fun!
The food here is really good, although overloaded with carbs. This is only a bad thing because I had a few pounds to loose, but it is SO delicious!
I am overjoyed with Ghana. It is so beautiful to see how people with so little can love their life so much. The children at the orphanage use all the toys that American children would have thrown out years ago, but they are so proud of what they have, and they make so much use of these things. They are happy with everything that they have, and they dont have the constant desire for more. The people here are just full of joy and love. It is a great thing to witness.
I have been writing every night on word document, and when the wireless internet works, I will upload them to my blog. I will then be able to put pictures up as well. For now, I will post these overviews as often as I can make it to the internet cafe.
I love you all!
Keep in touch and email me at mfarris29@gmail.com if you would like. I cant wait to hear from you.
And to all of my friends who put together the beautiful <3 akron book, I cant even tell you how much it meant to me. I will cherish that book FOREVER! I am sure that it will help me get through any difficult days that may come.
P.S. I am going to spend Christmas SWEATING...A LOT! Will it be snowing in Ohio?
Love you/life.
I'm Here!
After all this time and talk about going to Ghana, I have finally made it. I am constantly amazed that I get to live in this beautiful country with all of these lovely people. Everyone here is so welcoming and so nice.
Since I have been here, we have done so many things. Yesterday, we spent much of the day in orientation. We also had a Ewe (a-way) lesson which proved to be interesting, but VERY difficult. I also learned how to play Texas Hold'Em. We were betting with toothpicks. I got second place! Not bad for a first timer. Dad, are you proud?
Today was our first day at our placements. I am placed at an orphanage called "House of Hope". There are about 30 children there, ranging from age 5-15. They are truly wonderful children, and I cannot wait to work with them. The children learn English throughout schol, so the younger ones create a pretty significant language barrier, but we can still have alot of fun and communicate. Right now is there Christmas break, so they will not go back to school until the 14th. When they go to school, we will go with them and help out in the public school system. The facility is very nice and the children are well taken care of. The mother of the house, Elizabeth is so sweet and so caring. The children are so lucky to have her caring for them. The bathrooms at the orphanage are very basic, as in a hole in the ground. Today, when I peeked in, there were lizards crawling all over the bathroom area. I think it will take a while to build up the guts to use this restroom!
After volunteering today, we went to the market, where there were thousands of people and hundreds of booths selling music, food, cloth, and much more. I bought some cloth so that I could get some skirts made. I think that I am going to come home with MANY traditional clothes from Ghana.
Once we got home from the market, we had a welcome ceremony from the local community in the form of drumming and dancing. After they finished demostrating, we were able to participate in both activitites. Dancing always looks easier than it really is, but it was certainly a lot of fun!
The food here is really good, although overloaded with carbs. This is only a bad thing because I had a few pounds to loose, but it is SO delicious!
I am overjoyed with Ghana. It is so beautiful to see how people with so little can love their life so much. The children at the orphanage use all the toys that American children would have thrown out years ago, but they are so proud of what they have, and they make so much use of these things. They are happy with everything that they have, and they dont have the constant desire for more. The people here are just full of joy and love. It is a great thing to witness.
I have been writing every night on word document, and when the wireless internet works, I will upload them to my blog. I will then be able to put pictures up as well. For now, I will post these overviews as often as I can make it to the internet cafe.
I love you all!
Keep in touch and email me at mfarris29@gmail.com if you would like. I cant wait to hear from you.
And to all of my friends who put together the beautiful <3 akron book, I cant even tell you how much it meant to me. I will cherish that book FOREVER! I am sure that it will help me get through any difficult days that may come.
P.S. I am going to spend Christmas SWEATING...A LOT! Will it be snowing in Ohio?
Love you/life.
Since I have been here, we have done so many things. Yesterday, we spent much of the day in orientation. We also had a Ewe (a-way) lesson which proved to be interesting, but VERY difficult. I also learned how to play Texas Hold'Em. We were betting with toothpicks. I got second place! Not bad for a first timer. Dad, are you proud?
Today was our first day at our placements. I am placed at an orphanage called "House of Hope". There are about 30 children there, ranging from age 5-15. They are truly wonderful children, and I cannot wait to work with them. The children learn English throughout schol, so the younger ones create a pretty significant language barrier, but we can still have alot of fun and communicate. Right now is there Christmas break, so they will not go back to school until the 14th. When they go to school, we will go with them and help out in the public school system. The facility is very nice and the children are well taken care of. The mother of the house, Elizabeth is so sweet and so caring. The children are so lucky to have her caring for them. The bathrooms at the orphanage are very basic, as in a hole in the ground. Today, when I peeked in, there were lizards crawling all over the bathroom area. I think it will take a while to build up the guts to use this restroom!
After volunteering today, we went to the market, where there were thousands of people and hundreds of booths selling music, food, cloth, and much more. I bought some cloth so that I could get some skirts made. I think that I am going to come home with MANY traditional clothes from Ghana.
Once we got home from the market, we had a welcome ceremony from the local community in the form of drumming and dancing. After they finished demostrating, we were able to participate in both activitites. Dancing always looks easier than it really is, but it was certainly a lot of fun!
The food here is really good, although overloaded with carbs. This is only a bad thing because I had a few pounds to loose, but it is SO delicious!
I am overjoyed with Ghana. It is so beautiful to see how people with so little can love their life so much. The children at the orphanage use all the toys that American children would have thrown out years ago, but they are so proud of what they have, and they make so much use of these things. They are happy with everything that they have, and they dont have the constant desire for more. The people here are just full of joy and love. It is a great thing to witness.
I have been writing every night on word document, and when the wireless internet works, I will upload them to my blog. I will then be able to put pictures up as well. For now, I will post these overviews as often as I can make it to the internet cafe.
I love you all!
Keep in touch and email me at mfarris29@gmail.com if you would like. I cant wait to hear from you.
And to all of my friends who put together the beautiful <3 akron book, I cant even tell you how much it meant to me. I will cherish that book FOREVER! I am sure that it will help me get through any difficult days that may come.
P.S. I am going to spend Christmas SWEATING...A LOT! Will it be snowing in Ohio?
Love you/life.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Tomorrow
Tomorrow, I will leave Akron Ohio to follow my dreams and embark on a wonderful adventure. Life will be simple and good. Of course, I will miss all of you and I will surely long for some of the comforts of home, but the next 14 weeks will be filled with lessons, friendships, smiles, and change. I will come home a different person, but I promise that it will be for the better. Please keep in touch.
I love you/life.
Maureen
I love you/life.
Maureen
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Here we go...
I am taking the final steps to preparing for my 3 1/2 month trip to Ghana, Africa. My anticipation is really taking a toll on me. I am sooo excited, but also really anxious to find out what I am going to be doing, where I will be living, who I will meet, and what kinds of spiders and rodents I will come across. I am soaking up every single last drop of my time here in my beloved home town with all of my loved ones, and trying to make my 'goodbye' rounds.
For those of you who would like to email me while I am away, please use the following email address: mfarris29@gmail.com.
If you would like to send a letter to Ghana, please email me or post a comment on the blog and I will make sure to send you our address.
I love you all and will miss you very much.
Africa, here I come.
I love you.
I love life.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
12 days
This is all kind of re-rediculous-diculous! In exactly one week I will be graduating from college. In exactly 12 days I will be on my way to Ghana. I can hardly control my eagerness, anxiousness, and excitement. These last days and moments before I leave are filled with many mixed emotions ranging from complete and utter excitement and downright anxiety. What should I bring? How much money do I need? Do I have all of my shots? How am I going to handle being gone so long?
This is just downright crazy.
I have been receiving emails from volunteers who I will be working with, and everyone seems extremely nice. This is putting me at ease and helping to ground me and remind me of all the amazing opportunities that I have. These volunteers will become my family. They will be sitting around the table with me each day, they will celebrate Christmas and my birthday with me, we will discuss our hopes and our dreams, as well as our hardships and discouragement.
Opportunities like this really help you to cherish each moment. I am making an effort to appreciate each moment and each opportunity. To take some time to really soak in everything around me and enjoy the company of my loved ones.
All in all, I feel like the anticipation is going to kill me. I really cannot believe that this is happening. In just 12 days, I will take off into the sky and land in an entirely different and incredibly beautiful place, which will be my home and house my family for the next four months.
I love you.
I love life.
Maureen
Monday, November 30, 2009
Travel Costs
I tried to get my malaria medication filled today. The wonderful pharmacist (who I happened to grow up next to) was kind enough to call my mom and tell her that 101 days worth of "Malarone" would cost approximately $800.00!
The health care system is giving me a headache, and I am not even sick.
Love you all.
Maureen
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Book list...
If you have any suggestions of books that I can take to Ghana with me, I would truly appreciate it. I am looking for reading that will enhance my journey and keep me grounded.
Let me know!
Maureen
Less than a month...
The time is just flying by. Student teaching is almost over, college is coming to a close, and my sojourn to Africa is quickly approaching. It is less than a month away, in fact. I am trying to balance becoming an excellent teacher and preparing for the trip of my life all at once. Also on the agenda is seeing everyone I love before I leave. This is the one that is actually causing me the most anxiety right now. I am so afraid that I am going to run out of time, and not get to see some important people before I leave.
I am so grateful for my family, who is not only funding this incredible trip, but are completely supporting me through this last stint of college. It would be such a huge burden to have to work a job all while teaching 5 days a week. How did I get so lucky to have such an amazing support system?
As my trip creeps closer and closer, this is a thought that seems to be invading my brain. How did I get so lucky? Between the friends, the family, the support, my health, my education. When you begin to think about the family that you are born into, the country and state and city that you are born, the home and the school system that you are plopped into, the well being of the body that you are inhabiting...it is all luck. I have really been embracing this idea, and trying to be very thankful for my complete and utter luck in life. I want to use my luck to better those who may have not always had this luck on their side. I want to share the love, and the luck.
On another note, I am really excited for my three day school week next week! I have a friend who is a very talented magician, and he is coming in to one of my classes to put on a show for them. I am so excited to introduce my students to magic. It is something that many of them have never had the opportunity to witness, and believe me, some of these middle school kids need a little bit of fun and imagination in their lives. It is incredible to see how quickly kids are being forced to grow up. Students who are already working jobs to help support their families, or missing school so that they can babysit their infant siblings while their single parent works a double shift. I hope that they enjoy this opportunity to be a kid again.
Please bookmark this blog so that you can follow me on my adventures!
I love you/life!
Maureen
Thursday, November 12, 2009
On Substitute Teachers
Today, I gained a whole new respect for substitute teachers. The agony that students put them through is unbelievable! Middle school is difficult enough, but to be the new teacher in town, whew. The combination of a sub who does nothing but sit in the back of a room and a student teacher who is new and just beginning to form relationships with and gain the trust of middle school students seemed to be detrimental. It did not work. However, it was very interesting to watch what happens to students when the teacher is not in school. As a student, you don't get that perspective, because you are the perpetrator. As a teacher, you don't get the perspective because you are not there, hence the sub. As the student teacher, I got to witness the very swift transformation of model students transforming into out of control, disruptive, and disrespectful children. Everyday cannot be good in the world of education. Lets hope that with the return of the teacher tomorrow, I will have my model students back.
The most amazing thing about all of his is, that no matter how bad today was, at the end of it, I still love my job and my life. I guess that's how you know that you have found your passion.
Love,
Maureen
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Trip to Ghana
While I may not be the most literate blogger, my purpose here is to keep anyone in the world interested in reading updated on my adventure in Ghana. I will be spending 14 weeks in the Volta Region volunteering with Cross Cultural Solutions and traveling with my mom. What a wonderful adventure (and a way to prolong getting a real job).
I will be graduating with my Bachelors degree in Special Education from the University of Akron in December, and then heading away.
I am a lover, not a hater.
I am a Vegan, which means I don’t eat, wear, or use any animal products or anything tested on animals. Yes, that means no meat, no poultry, no fish, no eggs, no cheese, no milk, no butter, no fur, no leather…you get the point. I cannot give you just one reason for me being vegan. I do it for the animals, I do it for the earth, I do it for the economy and the people who are starving in the world, and I do it for peace of mind. If you want to know more, I love to talk.
I am a special education major at the University of Akron. I have a passion for kids and adults with special needs, and a real soft spot in my heart for those with Down Syndrome.
I love my family and my friends more than anything. They have given me the world.
I am also an anti-war activist. I volunteer for an organization called the American Friends Service Committee. I helped to create and run an Ohio wide exhibit which demonstrates the human cost of war. It displays combat boots for every Ohio soldier who has been killed in the Iraq war, and has civilian shoes which represent the Iraqi civilians who have been killed due to the war and occupation. I also started a counter-recruitment program, in which I tryed to reveal some of the lies and deception that the military recruiters feed our young and vulnerable people to convince them that the military is the best choice for them. I do not tell them not to join, but I encourage them to explore ALL of their options, and I reveal to them the truths about the military. I just recently created a book that is now in print that provides hundreds of resources for scholarships, internships, apprenticeships, skills training, financial aid, and more that youth can use to fulfill their goals using peaceful alternatives.
I am a humanist, rather than a feminist.
I LOVE life!
I love photography, but I try to remember to put the camera down and observe through my own lenses.
I do not like war, killing, people who use the word “hate”, sexism, racism, homophobia, and the like. I get angry when people use the word “gay” as a bad thing or in a derogatory way. I feel discouraged when people give up hope and feel helpless.
We are the people who will change the world. No matter how powerful or how weak you are, you can make the difference.
I believe in the hudredth monkey theory, which states that once enough people know something, it becomes common knowledge. Educate, educate, educate. Anything you stand for, teach people. Don’t try to change people, just teach them. There is no excuse for ignorance in this very empowered world.
Find your passion. Live for your passions. Thrive on your passions. These are the things that will pick you up when you are down, will push you forward when you have hit a wall, and show you goodness when all you see is hate and corruption.
I am a Vegan, which means I don’t eat, wear, or use any animal products or anything tested on animals. Yes, that means no meat, no poultry, no fish, no eggs, no cheese, no milk, no butter, no fur, no leather…you get the point. I cannot give you just one reason for me being vegan. I do it for the animals, I do it for the earth, I do it for the economy and the people who are starving in the world, and I do it for peace of mind. If you want to know more, I love to talk.
I am a special education major at the University of Akron. I have a passion for kids and adults with special needs, and a real soft spot in my heart for those with Down Syndrome.
I love my family and my friends more than anything. They have given me the world.
I am also an anti-war activist. I volunteer for an organization called the American Friends Service Committee. I helped to create and run an Ohio wide exhibit which demonstrates the human cost of war. It displays combat boots for every Ohio soldier who has been killed in the Iraq war, and has civilian shoes which represent the Iraqi civilians who have been killed due to the war and occupation. I also started a counter-recruitment program, in which I tryed to reveal some of the lies and deception that the military recruiters feed our young and vulnerable people to convince them that the military is the best choice for them. I do not tell them not to join, but I encourage them to explore ALL of their options, and I reveal to them the truths about the military. I just recently created a book that is now in print that provides hundreds of resources for scholarships, internships, apprenticeships, skills training, financial aid, and more that youth can use to fulfill their goals using peaceful alternatives.
I am a humanist, rather than a feminist.
I LOVE life!
I love photography, but I try to remember to put the camera down and observe through my own lenses.
I do not like war, killing, people who use the word “hate”, sexism, racism, homophobia, and the like. I get angry when people use the word “gay” as a bad thing or in a derogatory way. I feel discouraged when people give up hope and feel helpless.
We are the people who will change the world. No matter how powerful or how weak you are, you can make the difference.
I believe in the hudredth monkey theory, which states that once enough people know something, it becomes common knowledge. Educate, educate, educate. Anything you stand for, teach people. Don’t try to change people, just teach them. There is no excuse for ignorance in this very empowered world.
Find your passion. Live for your passions. Thrive on your passions. These are the things that will pick you up when you are down, will push you forward when you have hit a wall, and show you goodness when all you see is hate and corruption.
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