Breeeeeta

In Loving Memory

It's one thing to look at a person for who they are and how they shaped your life, but it's an entirely different thing to be present at a funeral where the Church was too full for every guest to take a seat. He impacted so many people. When I think of Gramps, I think of a collage of colorful memories from piling orange peels in a compost pile of worms to holding hands as we walked along Michigan Avenue for five miles on our one-on-one date. Gramps was a hands-on grandfather. He was at every game; every recital; every play. He practiced what he preached. He didn't tell us how to be; he showed us how to be. It's amazing for someone to have come from such a broken past to create such an incredible life for himself and his family. I will never forget skating up in Lake Forest and having our picture taken together for the newspaper. I will never forget the face you made before giving me a rough hug. I will never forget the advice you gave me about how to swing a baseball bat. And I will never forget the lessons you taught me to make me a stronger person. Hard work pays off. A little bit goes a long way. At the end of every day, you are who you choose to be and what you make of yourself. I hope that in my life, I can be as inspired and driven as you were. And I hope that I can live every day to the fullest as you did. I will miss you Gramps. Love always, Meggers.

Rustic Winter

My Resolutions for 2010

I know that in the month of December, I probably come up with over one hundred things that I am going to change in the new year. The week before Jan 1st is always a struggle because I think that the magical moment at 12 am that rings in the new year will change my life. Yet the reality that we hear every day is that we are in charge of these changes. Besides the small things I intend to do: save enough money to travel to Italy in 2011, eat less processed foods, and learn how to cook a new recipe per season, I have found there are bigger things I want to do. This is a year of major changes with the approaching end to my college career. I plan on increasing my grades, getting an internship within the year, and creating plans B and C if Plan A doesn't work out (which of course is still to be determined). The biggest resolution I have is to respect myself more. This will be done by working much harder in school, taking care of myself, letting go of people and things that don't make my life better, and embracing all the passions I have such as writing, photography, and singing. I could not have been blessed more with a better family or friends, no matter how scattered we all are across the map. These changes are all changes I will make. Starting right now. As one wise soul once said, "You gotta stop putting your wishbone where your backbone oughta be" -anonymous-

Happy 2010

Afterthoughts

JULY 13, 2009 AFTERTHOUGHTS If there is anything I have learned from experiencing a taste of Africa, it is this: You live and you learn. Appreciate as much as you can & count your blessings. There is a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done in Africa. Ghana is lucky to be one of the most stable African countries. There is an endless need there, but each effort makes a difference. I'd like to think that I left a piece of me in that small Cape Coast School in the dance department. If anything, the dance experience itself was incredible. If I can touch one person's life, I am thankful. As they said in church, "Be filled with the spirit."

Silver Liningssss

June 27 2009
Yesterday the dance teacher never showed up at the nursery so we went home...
Last night they served pizza at the diner (we've had the same food every night so this was amazinggg) and watched a great movie called "Kingdom" with Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner. It was great and spiced up our night a bit.
Today we went to Kakum National Park. It's about 40 minutes north of Cape Coast. Wild elephants and monkeys and other wildlife reside there but I think you have to go on an overnight camping trip to see them. So we didn't. However, we went on a canopy walk. It was incredible! We took a small hike up to this canopy stand and then had to climb it (there were stairs...no worries). There were 7 walks up top. It was so beautiful! We walked on these wooden boards that were supported by a metal frame with netting and ropes on the sides. There was a platgorm from each walkway on each tree. We were probably 30-40 feet up in the air.
Tomorrow we are meeting the real headmistress of Cape Deaf (she has been away this week on a study program) and delivering our gifts. Then we are going to Elmina Beach Resort for a late lunch. We have 2 days left at Cape Deaf and then we head home!

Just Dance

June 26 2009
Yesterday was much better than the day before. We did our normal routine and got up to go to Cape Deaf. I didn't go to my classroom, but instead went with Lea and Esther to the cafeteria to do art. We did that for an hour and then attended a sign language class with other teachers. We learned random words like strong and dark, but it was fun.
The best part of the day came next. Dancing. Of course. I learned one of their traditional dances and then taught my own version of hip hop, the macarena, and the electric slide in one combination. They were the quickest learners I have ever taught. Granted, they were in the dance club. But it was so great to please so many kids and see all of them having such a blast.
We had lunch when we came back (a new selection of food) and that night, had dinner at Elmina Beach Resort. The food was amazing. I had potato soup, fruit salad with the best pineapple ever, cake, and a pina colada. Eating on the beach was so calming.
We are trying to acclamate to the school system so we can use our time constructively without being overly frustrated. We are trying to understand and be more positive. Today we are going to visit a pre-school dance class!