Well, seeing the Eiffel tower from my room everyday is inspiring. At night, on the hour they turn on these bright flashing lights all up and down the tower and it looks like diamonds or stars, I love it.
Today I took my French language placement test, I'm in group B out of 3. Safely in the middle. It should be a good fit, challenging I hope. I've been making friends with my classmates. I was just wondering if maybe it isn't such a good thing because it will be harder to meet french people. It will all work out though. There is one girl Lindsay who I have particularly hit it off with.
It is kinda funny that I haven't really spent much time seeing monuments. I have spent a lot of time exploring other parts of the city, but I really haven't had a chance to pay homage to the Eiffel tower, the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe (I did visit Notre Dame). I have just been so tired by the end of whatever class like stuff we are doing and it is so cold out that all I want to do is curl up in bed. Not a very exciting, proactive, attitude for Paris. Maybe tomorrow I will have the will and the energy.
The food here has been amazing. I love everything. Escargot sandwich things, duck, Roquefort cheese sauce with beef, chocolate croissants, and the list goes on. They expect me to cook for myself and what not, but how can I do that when I can't make anything nearly as exciting as all that? Oh well, I shall try.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
PARIS!!!!
I made it to Paris! I got here yesterday, it was quite a journey. I left my aunt and uncle's house outside of London at 6am then took an hour train to London, crossed London on the subway, took the high speed train to Paris and then used the Parisian metro to get to our orientation hotel. I was pretty sick of my luggage by the time I made it.
For orientation yesterday we did a scavenger hunt (reminded me of Space). I had to find the Hotel de Ville, which was super easy, then my group wandered around because we had another hour and a half.
The other students in my program are really nice. It is really interesting to see how people handle being in a new city, without knowing anyone, and adjusting to cultural differences and jet leg. They are all interested in different things and most of them go to school on the east coast.
Later today I will find out where I am going to live for the next four months and find out about the classes I'm in. Au bientot!
For orientation yesterday we did a scavenger hunt (reminded me of Space). I had to find the Hotel de Ville, which was super easy, then my group wandered around because we had another hour and a half.
The other students in my program are really nice. It is really interesting to see how people handle being in a new city, without knowing anyone, and adjusting to cultural differences and jet leg. They are all interested in different things and most of them go to school on the east coast.
Later today I will find out where I am going to live for the next four months and find out about the classes I'm in. Au bientot!
Friday, January 09, 2009
Maryland and London
I left home new years eve, which means I haven't been home all year. I went first to visit friends in Maryland for a week, which was too short, but I had a lot of fun. It was nice to go somewhere in the states before I left the country because it gave me a chance to evaluate all the things I had brought, and see what I needed to buy.
From there I flew alone to London Heathrow Airport on January 6th and then figured out how to get to the village outside of London where my aunt and uncle live. I haven't travelled since my adventures this summer, so it was exciting to figure out how to do things like buy bus tickets again. There is no feeling like the exhilaration of not knowing what exactly you will do when you get to the next leg of your journey. I made it to the train station, where I was picked up by my aunt. I did my best to fight jet leg that day, but wound up going to be at 9pm and sleeping through the night until 11am. I don't know that I have ever slept that long.
It has been fun getting to hang out with my cousins and aunt (my uncle is in Madrid on business). Also, today, I went to London and met up with two of my friends from Maryland. One was there on business and the other is spending a year outside of Manchester. We went around the city visiting Abbey Road, London Bridge, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station(From Harry Potter). At one point we got caught on the Metro during rush hour and it was like being a packed sardine. Everyone was trying to fit themselves in even though it looked overflowing. It was amusing experiencing the city with other Americans, because this summer I was with my British aunt and cousin when I was there. It is hard to explain exactly was was funny about three very not British people, but it was fun.
Today is Friday and I leave for Paris on Wednesday, for the Spring semester. It is my orientation that starts that day, and I'm looking forward to being one of the few not suffering from jet leg. I still can't believe I haven't been home all year. :)
From there I flew alone to London Heathrow Airport on January 6th and then figured out how to get to the village outside of London where my aunt and uncle live. I haven't travelled since my adventures this summer, so it was exciting to figure out how to do things like buy bus tickets again. There is no feeling like the exhilaration of not knowing what exactly you will do when you get to the next leg of your journey. I made it to the train station, where I was picked up by my aunt. I did my best to fight jet leg that day, but wound up going to be at 9pm and sleeping through the night until 11am. I don't know that I have ever slept that long.
It has been fun getting to hang out with my cousins and aunt (my uncle is in Madrid on business). Also, today, I went to London and met up with two of my friends from Maryland. One was there on business and the other is spending a year outside of Manchester. We went around the city visiting Abbey Road, London Bridge, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station(From Harry Potter). At one point we got caught on the Metro during rush hour and it was like being a packed sardine. Everyone was trying to fit themselves in even though it looked overflowing. It was amusing experiencing the city with other Americans, because this summer I was with my British aunt and cousin when I was there. It is hard to explain exactly was was funny about three very not British people, but it was fun.
Today is Friday and I leave for Paris on Wednesday, for the Spring semester. It is my orientation that starts that day, and I'm looking forward to being one of the few not suffering from jet leg. I still can't believe I haven't been home all year. :)
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Paris
Our stay in Hungary is over and now we are in Paris for 48 hours. We are going to meet the cameroon team soon! That will be really fun!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Lisbon, Portugal - Vienna, Austria - Sopron, Hungary
So, Lisbon was quite the adventure. Our incredible hotel deal we had, was apparently too unbelievable. The website we went through has no relationship with that hotel, so we wound up paying more than we expected. The first night we were there was pretty awful, we both wanted to leave because it was so overwhelming. The next day we did some touristy stuff and started to feel better about Portugal. We wound up having a real good time for the four days that we were there. We visited castles, monuments and the beach. I would not be opposed to going back someday. We did eat a little too much McDonald's, but you can only take so many cultural experiences at one time.
From Lisbon we traveled to Vienna to meet up with our team. I forgot my backpack on the shuttle bus from the airport. Sven and I took a cab to the next train station the bus was stopping at, and amazingly the bus was still there with the bag. The taxi driver then drove us to the hostel, it was a little expensive, but worth getting my bag back. It was really fun meeting up with the rest of the team. It was so crazy to meet up with 24 people you know in a foreign country. We have now made our way to Sopron and started our kids VBS program. It is super fun to see all the missionaries and their children again. You'll hear more later!
From Lisbon we traveled to Vienna to meet up with our team. I forgot my backpack on the shuttle bus from the airport. Sven and I took a cab to the next train station the bus was stopping at, and amazingly the bus was still there with the bag. The taxi driver then drove us to the hostel, it was a little expensive, but worth getting my bag back. It was really fun meeting up with the rest of the team. It was so crazy to meet up with 24 people you know in a foreign country. We have now made our way to Sopron and started our kids VBS program. It is super fun to see all the missionaries and their children again. You'll hear more later!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Video Update links - You must have facebook to view these
Goodbye London
Today is my last day in England. 
It has been a great week. We went to Windsor castle, Winchester, and Westminster Abby. Too many Ws. It was all really fun. The Queen was at Windsor when we went, so her flag was flying. In Winchester we visited the cathedral and walked around the town. In the cathedral they had an exhibit about how in the 1800s they had to hire a diver to fix the foundations because the cathedral was
built on a peat bog. Yesterday, we went to London. We took the London eye, which is a huge observation ferris wheel, that lets you see for miles. Then we walked around and saw some other stuff and ended the day at Westminster Abby. I saw the memorials for Shakespeare, Jane Austin, Darwin, Newton, Joule, Queen Elizabeth I, and countless other English monarchs. It was so old and so large, it was incredible that they have been collecting things for nearly 1000 years. They also had the oldest door in Britain there.
It has
been really fun being able to spend time with my Aunt and Uncle and their children. They are leaving to go to the states tomorrow, and Sven and I will be heading to Lisbon, Portugal. I just planned this trip last weekend, so it is going to be quite an adventure. You may not hear from me for a while, because I do not know what our internet situation will be like.
It has been a great week. We went to Windsor castle, Winchester, and Westminster Abby. Too many Ws. It was all really fun. The Queen was at Windsor when we went, so her flag was flying. In Winchester we visited the cathedral and walked around the town. In the cathedral they had an exhibit about how in the 1800s they had to hire a diver to fix the foundations because the cathedral was
built on a peat bog. Yesterday, we went to London. We took the London eye, which is a huge observation ferris wheel, that lets you see for miles. Then we walked around and saw some other stuff and ended the day at Westminster Abby. I saw the memorials for Shakespeare, Jane Austin, Darwin, Newton, Joule, Queen Elizabeth I, and countless other English monarchs. It was so old and so large, it was incredible that they have been collecting things for nearly 1000 years. They also had the oldest door in Britain there. It has
been really fun being able to spend time with my Aunt and Uncle and their children. They are leaving to go to the states tomorrow, and Sven and I will be heading to Lisbon, Portugal. I just planned this trip last weekend, so it is going to be quite an adventure. You may not hear from me for a while, because I do not know what our internet situation will be like.
Friday, July 11, 2008
London, England
I just got to London a few hours ago. I am at my aunt and uncles house outside of London. I only got 2 hours of sleep on the plane, but I'm going to try and make it through the day. Ghana is only one hour different behind the time here, so Sven is going to have a much harder time adjusting. He is taking a nap now because it is only 5am in MD. It was so wonderful to see him and my aunt and uncle's family. Sven and I both came into different terminals at Heathrow, so I told them to get him first, since he was supposed to get in ten minutes earlier and I figured I could have more trouble in customs since I was coming from Africa. It was a little slow going through immigration, but not too bad. I got out of the restricted area and didn't see anyone I knew so I hung around a column imbetween the two entrances to watch for them. I was thinking about what I would do if they didn't show up, when I happened to see Sven pass in front of me. He was with my uncle and cousin. It was so nice to see them. I am so excited about hanging out with them all and doing British things. I plan on drinking lots of tea. I will also be uploading my videos from Africa onto Facebook and posting links to them on my blog. Cheerio!
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Accra
I'm in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. I flew in this morning and will fly out tomorrow night. I got to go to an outdoor market today to buy souvenirs and get ripped off. It was fun, I got some sweet stuff. Two guys who I met in Nalerigu are here and so it has been really fun to see them again. I hope you all are doing well! I can't wait to see my brother on Friday!
Monday, July 07, 2008
Last post from Nalerigu
Tomorrow the Coppola's and I will leave Nalerigu and begin our slow journey to London. We will drive to Tamale tomorrow, fly to Accra on Wednesday and then leave for London Thursday and arrive there early Friday. I can't wait to see my brother in London, but it will be sad to say goodbye.
Some more people arrived here this weekend and one of them goes to Maryland's pharmacy school in Baltimore. I found out yesterday that she went to Grove city and knows of some people that I know that went there. It is just crazy.
I got to scrub in for surgery again this morning, which was quite fun. It may be my last time for a while.
This weekend we had a really fun 4th of July party on the 5th because we were too busy the day before. The Swedish girls and I taught people how to play Kubb and we played it will empty coke bottles, sunscreen and shoes. It was really fun even though someone broke two of the bottles. Sunday, I went to church in town, went to the market and then played games for the rest of the day. It was sweet.
Next time you hear from me I will be in London!
Some more people arrived here this weekend and one of them goes to Maryland's pharmacy school in Baltimore. I found out yesterday that she went to Grove city and knows of some people that I know that went there. It is just crazy.
I got to scrub in for surgery again this morning, which was quite fun. It may be my last time for a while.
This weekend we had a really fun 4th of July party on the 5th because we were too busy the day before. The Swedish girls and I taught people how to play Kubb and we played it will empty coke bottles, sunscreen and shoes. It was really fun even though someone broke two of the bottles. Sunday, I went to church in town, went to the market and then played games for the rest of the day. It was sweet.
Next time you hear from me I will be in London!
Friday, July 04, 2008
An Incredible Day
Yesterday was amazing. There were pretty much two things that happened which made it so awesome. One was that I almost got to kill a goat. We "ordered" one yesterday so that we could eat it that night. I said that I would like to kill it, since that is not something that everyone can say they have done. Unfortunately, I went to the market and wasn't back in time to kill the goat so someone else did it. I am a little disappointed, since who knows when I will get another opportunity like that. I'm going to interrupt the goat story, to talk about the other awesome event of the evening.
The most exciting thing that happened yesterday, was after dinner, there was a guy who had come for two days with his father to check out the hospital because they are helping with something similar in the south. I noticed that the back of his shirt said Wheaton, so I asked if he went there, and he does go to Wheaton University in Chicago. Then I said that one of my best friends goes there and I said it was Em G. Apparently, they are good friends! It was so ridiculous that I met someone, who is friends with my friend! We talked about her for like 30 min and I just could not believe that we both know her.
Back to the goat. Yesterday was also the station meeting where all the missionaries and volunteers gather and praise God. After that, all the 20 somethings went to this ladies house to eat the goat that we asked for. It was so surreal, sitting there under the stars, with people from all over the world eating goat and dog meat. I know that it was a unique night that I will never forget.
Happy Fourth of JULY!!!
The most exciting thing that happened yesterday, was after dinner, there was a guy who had come for two days with his father to check out the hospital because they are helping with something similar in the south. I noticed that the back of his shirt said Wheaton, so I asked if he went there, and he does go to Wheaton University in Chicago. Then I said that one of my best friends goes there and I said it was Em G. Apparently, they are good friends! It was so ridiculous that I met someone, who is friends with my friend! We talked about her for like 30 min and I just could not believe that we both know her.
Back to the goat. Yesterday was also the station meeting where all the missionaries and volunteers gather and praise God. After that, all the 20 somethings went to this ladies house to eat the goat that we asked for. It was so surreal, sitting there under the stars, with people from all over the world eating goat and dog meat. I know that it was a unique night that I will never forget.
Happy Fourth of JULY!!!
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Nalerigu
Hi! I forgot to mention yesterday that I ate 3 termites. Three other people and I fried them up with some butter, salt and garlic seasoning. They actually tasted quite good. The worst part was afterwards when it felt like there were legs in my teeth. They were salty, garlicky and crunchy.
Today I watched two hernia surgeries and surgery on a woman that had a huge mass in her abdomen. That all happened before lunch, and then after lunch I went to the market and bought some beads. They don't really have much touristy stuff here.
Also, today, we ordered a goat. One of the guys slaughtered it and we are going to have goat kebabs later tonight. I wanted to kill it, but I was at the market so he had to do it. It should be a lot of fun having a barbecue.
Today I watched two hernia surgeries and surgery on a woman that had a huge mass in her abdomen. That all happened before lunch, and then after lunch I went to the market and bought some beads. They don't really have much touristy stuff here.
Also, today, we ordered a goat. One of the guys slaughtered it and we are going to have goat kebabs later tonight. I wanted to kill it, but I was at the market so he had to do it. It should be a lot of fun having a barbecue.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Nakpanduri
Hey guys! I have been trying to post pictures for like a week and it has been really slow. Finally, today it worked! I was sick this weekend so I did not get around to updating this blog. 
I have also been playing lots of games with the other young adults, which doesn't leave much time for anything else.
Yesterday I got to go to a place called something like Nakpanduri, which is this cliff where you can see for miles. It was awesome!!!!!! Pictures just can never do anything really beautiful justice. We got to climb around on the rocks up there, which was really fun too.
This morning I scrubbed for a c-section and got to suture the lady's skin closed, I'm getting really good. I go really slow, but I think it looks great after, I don't really know what it should look like though. I also got to see a dead carpet viper snake, which is the most common poisonous snake around here. It's venom prevents your blood from clotting, so you bleed to death. The hospital is almost out of anti venom and will not get their new shipment until tomorrow, so we have all been trying to avoid snakes.
There are a bunch of people here now, it is crazy. Five ladies from South Carolina came in yesterday which has made the dinner table quite full. There are two more people coming on Friday!
It is unbelievable that I have been here for two and a half weeks and that I will be leaving in like a week. I'm not sad though because I have so much to look forward to, but it will be strange to say goodbye and not know if or when I will ever see any of these people again. I have gotten pretty tight with the Swedish girls and I hope one day I'll get to see them in Sweden.
It is time to go play more games, or watch a movie or something. I'll write again soon!
The first picture is of me at Nakpanduri. The second is of me suturing on a man (not from the c-section today) and the third picture is of Dr. Hewitt with the small python from the other day (not the carpet viper).
I have also been playing lots of games with the other young adults, which doesn't leave much time for anything else. Yesterday I got to go to a place called something like Nakpanduri, which is this cliff where you can see for miles. It was awesome!!!!!! Pictures just can never do anything really beautiful justice. We got to climb around on the rocks up there, which was really fun too.
This morning I scrubbed for a c-section and got to suture the lady's skin closed, I'm getting really good. I go really slow, but I think it looks great after, I don't really know what it should look like though. I also got to see a dead carpet viper snake, which is the most common poisonous snake around here. It's venom prevents your blood from clotting, so you bleed to death. The hospital is almost out of anti venom and will not get their new shipment until tomorrow, so we have all been trying to avoid snakes.
There are a bunch of people here now, it is crazy. Five ladies from South Carolina came in yesterday which has made the dinner table quite full. There are two more people coming on Friday!
It is unbelievable that I have been here for two and a half weeks and that I will be leaving in like a week. I'm not sad though because I have so much to look forward to, but it will be strange to say goodbye and not know if or when I will ever see any of these people again. I have gotten pretty tight with the Swedish girls and I hope one day I'll get to see them in Sweden.
It is time to go play more games, or watch a movie or something. I'll write again soon!
The first picture is of me at Nakpanduri. The second is of me suturing on a man (not from the c-section today) and the third picture is of Dr. Hewitt with the small python from the other day (not the carpet viper).
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Clinic Day Again
It was clinic day again today. In the morning I watched Dr. Hewitt, he goes fast as lightning through patients. There were two people with snake bites, and they brought the snakes to see if they were the poisonous kind. One was the poisonous carpet viper and the other was a python.
In the afternoon I stayed with Lynn and she did a few small procedures. I got to try doing an ultrasound, which was really fun! I found the babies head and heart and legs. I am excited to go to medical school, to learn more about all the things that I have seen.
In the afternoon I stayed with Lynn and she did a few small procedures. I got to try doing an ultrasound, which was really fun! I found the babies head and heart and legs. I am excited to go to medical school, to learn more about all the things that I have seen.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Sunday
The weekend is almost over, but it has been great. Yesterday, I went to the market in town twice with different people. Then we went to climb on some rocks outside of town. The countryside is incredibly beautiful. It was fun to get away again and see different stuff. One of the missionary's sons came home on Friday with a friend from college so we hung out with the two Swedish girls. It was fun to hang out with people that were my age. It is funny when I see white people I don't know, because I want to ask them what they are doing here, but I don't really have a good answer if they ask me. There are two girls in town with the Peace Corps and a Canadian girl with Engineering without borders. It is interesting to see their personalities and how they are handling living here.
This morning (Sunday) I went with the Coppolas and the missionary Tommy to this tiny outdoor church in the middle of nowhere. It was really cool. They sang worship songs while walking around in a circle and then Mr. Coppola gave a small message. It was so cool to think that God is there in the fields of Africa. It is pretty amazing that we have a God who can love everyone from all cultures and understand everyone's needs. Being at their church also made me reflect on the extra stuff that many Americans associate with Church.
I still can't believe that I left home a week ago. The time has gone so fast. It has been so amazing.
This morning (Sunday) I went with the Coppolas and the missionary Tommy to this tiny outdoor church in the middle of nowhere. It was really cool. They sang worship songs while walking around in a circle and then Mr. Coppola gave a small message. It was so cool to think that God is there in the fields of Africa. It is pretty amazing that we have a God who can love everyone from all cultures and understand everyone's needs. Being at their church also made me reflect on the extra stuff that many Americans associate with Church.
I still can't believe that I left home a week ago. The time has gone so fast. It has been so amazing.
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