So my roommate Meghann and I decided to hang out tonight at the Accra mall. Always entertaining! We had dinner at this Chinese restaurant we go to frequently. We hadn't gone there this year yet, so our usual waiter was happy to see us! So we ordered our water and prepared to look in the menu just in time for our waiter to inform us that they did not have any pork dishes available today...or chicken dishes for that matter! Have you ever in your life been to a restaurant where two thirds of the menu wasn't available?! Meghann and I just started laughing and ordered several beef dishes. You know you've been in Ghana a while when you just roll with the weirdness! So we enjoyed our beef dishes at the Chinese restaurant in Ghana listening to the background music of "Killing Me Softly." It doesn't get better than that!
Meghann and I also decided to see a movie while we were at the mall. There really are only two reasons to go to the mall. To eat or to see a movie. Rarely do people actually shop! It was fun seeing a movie especially since you get free popcorn and Coke on Mondays. After the movie we noticed a rather large group of people outside the theater...Then someone called out "Make a hole people!" and apparently someone rather famous came out because everyone went crazy! Security escorted someone down the steps, through the mall, and out the door. People were running after them with camera phones while Meghann and I stood wondering who we just saw. Well, now I can say I saw "someone famous." I don't know who it was, but I did see a famous person!
So there you have it, just another day in Ghana...
Monday, September 19, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Birthday Celebrations!
My birthday was a week and a half ago and I was thinking it wouldn't be a big ordeal. Just another school day. Giving homework, dealing with kids...
But actually the country of Ghana decided that my birthday should be a national holiday! So school was canceled! So what did I do instead of teaching? Of course I went to school! Yeah, I know. It seems ridiculous, but I did. The container from America came and we had to organize all the new books and materials. I was not in a very good mood, but it had to be done. I was excited about my new algebra books though!
After the work, the celebrating began! Christy and Meghann who are two of my closest friends here in Ghana took me out for lunch. We went to the Koffee House where you can get pretty much any kind of food under the sun. Do you want chicken and rice? Ok! Do you want Chinese food? Sure! How about cheese cake? Why not!?
So what does a thirty year old do on her birthday? She and her friends go on a scavenger hunt like when she turned ten! It was so fun! A group of eight of us teachers got together and split up into two teams. We went around East Legon doing silly things like catching chickens, pounding fufu, and holding snails. We all took pictures and videos of the craziness.
Me failing at playing a Ghanaian game with a couple kids.
John holding a chick after the Simple Brothers guys ran around trying to catch one for us!
After that Christy, Meghann, and I watched Chuck episodes that Christy had brought back from America. We are so hooked on this dumb TV show! I guess that's what happens when there isn't much to do in the evenings! But I must say, my favorite part about "Chuck Night" is the fact that I get to hang out with Christy and Meghann. We laugh, share concerns, and even complain to each other. It is definitely needed weekly! I am amazed at how God provides everything we need including friends to encourage you and fun times to remind us to enjoy life. Another great perk to "Chuck Night" is that we EAT a lot! We had chips and salsa from America, popcorn, chocolate from Germany, and frozen strawberries! What a great night!
But the celebrating wasn't over! Thursday when we went back to school, Meghann and Christy and Ardell's family made treats for my classes! Meghann came up to my room on the third floor every class period with cupcakes or homemade doughnuts! It was amazing! It's so nice to know people care. And the kids LOVED it! No homework and food! What could be better!?
And the partying didn't stop there! Friday night, a group of us went out to Chez Afrique (a local Ghanaian restaurant). It was fun just hanging out talking with the teachers. And Chez Afrique has the BEST fries in the whole world! I am not joking, they are AMAZING! I don't even really know why I get chicken there. I should just get more fries! After dinner, everyone came back to my house and we had FanIce (ice cream) and brownies and we watched the movie Red. Mr. Crosby our director even let us borrow a projector from the school so we didn't all have to sit around a computer screen!
A throw back to the 1980's - Allison getting her hair crimped.
Rachel and I with our 80's hair and makeup! Why is it that Rachel can pull off pretty much any look she wants? Where as I look completely ridiculous!?
But actually the country of Ghana decided that my birthday should be a national holiday! So school was canceled! So what did I do instead of teaching? Of course I went to school! Yeah, I know. It seems ridiculous, but I did. The container from America came and we had to organize all the new books and materials. I was not in a very good mood, but it had to be done. I was excited about my new algebra books though!
After the work, the celebrating began! Christy and Meghann who are two of my closest friends here in Ghana took me out for lunch. We went to the Koffee House where you can get pretty much any kind of food under the sun. Do you want chicken and rice? Ok! Do you want Chinese food? Sure! How about cheese cake? Why not!?
So what does a thirty year old do on her birthday? She and her friends go on a scavenger hunt like when she turned ten! It was so fun! A group of eight of us teachers got together and split up into two teams. We went around East Legon doing silly things like catching chickens, pounding fufu, and holding snails. We all took pictures and videos of the craziness.
Me failing at playing a Ghanaian game with a couple kids.
Tonya pounding fufu - a favorite dish of Ghanaians.
John holding a chick after the Simple Brothers guys ran around trying to catch one for us!
Holding a snail - apparently it makes a good stew! Yuck!
After that Christy, Meghann, and I watched Chuck episodes that Christy had brought back from America. We are so hooked on this dumb TV show! I guess that's what happens when there isn't much to do in the evenings! But I must say, my favorite part about "Chuck Night" is the fact that I get to hang out with Christy and Meghann. We laugh, share concerns, and even complain to each other. It is definitely needed weekly! I am amazed at how God provides everything we need including friends to encourage you and fun times to remind us to enjoy life. Another great perk to "Chuck Night" is that we EAT a lot! We had chips and salsa from America, popcorn, chocolate from Germany, and frozen strawberries! What a great night!
But the celebrating wasn't over! Thursday when we went back to school, Meghann and Christy and Ardell's family made treats for my classes! Meghann came up to my room on the third floor every class period with cupcakes or homemade doughnuts! It was amazing! It's so nice to know people care. And the kids LOVED it! No homework and food! What could be better!?
And the partying didn't stop there! Friday night, a group of us went out to Chez Afrique (a local Ghanaian restaurant). It was fun just hanging out talking with the teachers. And Chez Afrique has the BEST fries in the whole world! I am not joking, they are AMAZING! I don't even really know why I get chicken there. I should just get more fries! After dinner, everyone came back to my house and we had FanIce (ice cream) and brownies and we watched the movie Red. Mr. Crosby our director even let us borrow a projector from the school so we didn't all have to sit around a computer screen!
All in all, it was a great birthday. My sister and friends at home threw me a fabulous "13 going on 30" party before coming back to Ghana and then my friends here in Ghana threw a three day celebration. I am very honored to have so many that care about me.
Hannah painting my nails at my "13 Going on 30" party!
Hannah painting my nails at my "13 Going on 30" party!
A throw back to the 1980's - Allison getting her hair crimped.
Rachel and I with our 80's hair and makeup! Why is it that Rachel can pull off pretty much any look she wants? Where as I look completely ridiculous!?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)