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Monday, October 15, 2012

Anaa?

"Black is beauty, God knows what he was doing"



Going through my M3nsa (Mensa) phase all over again. I need some new music?? Any new artists to get hooked on?

Out of the Dumps

I've gotten over my "in the dumps" phase about being back home and not in Ghana. Family and friends always ask me, "Did you like Ghana?"

What kind of question is that?

My memories of Ghana never seem to leave me. At first, I fantasized a lot about my time there, nowadays, it's almost haunting. I cannot stop thinking about my time there. I crave my mini bananas and no matter how many walks I take at my local park, I'm not as personally satisfied as I was with my Abetifi walking trips. One year was barely enough time to shake the feeling of belonging. It was merely a taste.

Now that I'm back, I am happy to be with family and friends but I amazed at how quickly things picked for me. I literally started from where I left off. I just work harder at not making my days so typical because that was what pushed me to venture out and go across the world. I want to stay inspired for this blog so I will do my best to stay open-minded and wide-eyed.


But first, I must repurchase a camera.


Back to School

Remember this from early this year?


Yeah, it's kind of sad for me to look at it a lot these days... My, how plans change.

Well, my plan was to teach abroad and build upon those skills by attending graduate school. I was really excited to apply to Columbia, you got admit, prestige is everything. And receiving acceptance of admission was really one of the highlights of my life. I never thought I would even go that far in life and was very proud when I reached a personal goal. Alas, it is not be for now because when it came down to it, I could not afford the program. Tuition alone stands upwards of $45,000, not including room, board, transportation, and relocating to NY. It hurts guys, it hurts. It hurts when you want to further your education and be financially strapped. I considered loan options and it wasn't favorable for me take out loans on top of my undergrad loans; I'm not paying loads of money to pay to be a better teacher--- someone else can do that!

So I'm technically "back at school" in a couple of ways. I'm taking graduate certificate courses at GWU (I was accepted into their Master's program as well!) and I'm teaching at a new middle school. Oh goodness, I love seventh grade:) Still conjuring ideas for my academic future and other things!






(I didn't write that! Found it by the bookshelf as I was cleaning the board...lol)
I'm probably one of the few people that lovveeeee going back to school, whether I'm leading or learning.
                                  


                   

Coming/Going/Back Home

**** This was a draft I had months ago... I'm so angry I didn't post it when I intended!****

I have always been a huge advocate of first-generation African youth finding ways to give back to their nation of heritage. I was blessed with that opportunity this past year as was the author of the following article.  I have the tendency to be starry-eyed about my idea of Ghana in many ways for numerous reasons, but I appreciate Afua's approach to moving back home by providing a candid "economic lens". Below is the opening snippet....  Click here to read and to comment!



Afua Hirsch: Our parents left Africa – now we are coming home

As a child in London, Afua Hirsch was embarrassed by her African roots. Then, in February, she became a 'returnee', choosing to live in her parents' birthplace, Ghana. Her story is echoed across the continent: attracted by economic opportunity and a new sense of optimism, the African diaspora is starting to come back …