While still in New York City, I was determined to gain as much weight as I possibly could thinking that I was going to lose most of it in Ghana. Scott told me not to be so sure of that, and he was right because here I am writing on blogspot after finishing my fourth grilled cheese sandwich. FOURTH.

There isn't much to update on. Over the past three weeks, I have fallen in love with Ghana. Life here is pretty sweet. After my African Art class, I can just walk down the long road to Aunti Adjoa and have her cut up a pineapple for me for 5000 cedis (that's roughly 50 cents). Dinner everyday from Monday-Friday Tante Marie's followed by dessert. When I feel like relaxing, I can just go out on my balcony and read while sunbathing.

The Ghanaians are very, very friendly; however, their attitudes about my nationality are quite similar to the ones I normally get in the city except with different intentions. For example, I can never be from New York City. No. Really, where are you from? New York City. Korea? No.

Normally, this shit would piss the fuck out of me back in the city, but I have to remember this isn't New York City and these aren't my usual neighbors. I'm sure most of them don't mean to offend, but it sure can get a little annoying while I'm walking in Osu and men call out "Korea!" or "Konichiwa" and I smile and I say "I'm not Japanese."

Professor Pham's APA class that I took in the Fall opened my eyes to a lot of things. Knowledge is power, and now that I have (some of) it, I don't know what to do with it.

I went to the New Horizons Special School today to begin my volunteer application process. I really hope that the lack of productivity I observed today was because we went during their lunch/recess. Many of the students were just sitting around waiting for people to give them attention. It's a little intimidating for me even after having volunteered with mentally and physically children for two years. I think I'm especially nervous with the adults because I want to support not pity, but sometimes I am not always aware of how others may receive me. I'm hoping to help them with arts and crafts for the obvious reasons, and also because the director of the program said, "Are you from Japan? You people are very good with your hands." In NYC, I would've flipped a shit. Not here, though. This is Ghana.

Being so far away from home has affected me greatly. Instead of missing the things I used to do, I really miss all the things that I stopped doing or never started. While at La Badi Beach with the girls, I had this longing to prepare a nice meal for my mom and have a picnic in Battery Park. That will be one of the first things I do when I get back. We also have to go to the Museum of Natural History because my mom loves to see snakes even though she's so terrified of them she used to scream whenever Annmary or I would wave one of those wooden ones you get off of Canal Street.

We take too many things for granted. Frank McCourt's Tis has possibly replaced Tuesdays with Morrie for me. There's a character who's angry at those who take breathing for granted because he has asthma. If everybody had asthma, no one would ever take another breath for granted. Very few people are aware of and thankful for their blessings. Hardly anyone ever stops to be grateful for the ability to breathe, but it is still a nice thought. My mom always used to say, "You are luckier than a lot of people. You can walk. You can run. You can do anything you want while some people will never have that chance." I guess that is why when people come to me with their "problems," I remind them that a lot of people have it a lot worse. It may come off as me being bitchy and insensitive, but it is what it is and it is the truth.

It's about 4:36 a.m (which mean 11:36 p.m EST back in New York City), and I am still awake. I've been having more trouble than usual falling asleep; if I'm not going over what happened during the day in my head, I'm busying myself thinking about New York City. I have to get up early in the morning to get my ID card at the University of Ghana, which means I won't be getting much sleep anyway. Who needs sleep anyway? You can sleep when you die, as they say.

It has almost been two weeks since I've arrived in Accra. The first days were, by far, the most exciting days I have ever experienced. It was just a wonderful feeling being so far away from home in another world that is so different. The next few days, however, sucked ass. I had a fever that refused to go down and after the third day of being sick in bed, Chris (my CRA) decided that it was time for me to go to the hospital. I'm pretty sure the determining factor for the hospital trip was me vomitting twice in the morning and falling asleep near the toilet. Anyway. Richmond, our lovely driver (or maybe it was the other driver-- I was pretty out of it) took us to Nyaho Medical Center. The other patients were pretty intrigued by my presence as well as Chris being my company. Chris nearly gave me a panic attack when he told me that I had to get tested for malaria. I wasn't scared of the test itself, I was more afraid of the results.

The aid who drew my blood made me feel very uncomfortable, but I've been told that it is the norm here. He noticed that I was dizzy (clearly from the armstrap being too tight around my arm), but suggested that I calm down and talk to him like he was my "sweetheart." Then there were some movements that involved him moving his crotch a little too close to me. I don't want to draw too detailed of a picture, but I am not exaggerating. One cannot imagine the inappropriate manner of some of the men here unless he or she experiences firsthand (HOWEVER, you might have had a few similar experiences if you take the F train). And the fact that I have undetectable veins in my arms did not help. It took him a very long time to draw about 10 mL of blood, and by the time he was done- I couldn't see straight. After three very long hours, the results came back negative. I got tested for malaria and came back positive for a UTI. Whatever. I'm just thankful.

Since then, I have fully recovered and have been taking pretty good care of myself. I'm going to take advantage of these five months. When I left New York, I felt very tired and uninspired; hopefully, it will be different when I return. I can already feel a change happening.

Classes started on Tuesday. As of now, I am taking History of the Atlantic Slave Trade, African Art: Past & Present, Envisaging Accra, and Conflicts in the African States. I originally wanted to take drumming and dancing courses at Legon, but being that the registration process makes me cringe and the time schedules do not work well with mine, I am only going to be taking classes at the NYU academic center and Ashesi University. Not too big of a loss, especially since I plan to take outside drumming lessons with Thelma. It feels really refreshing to step away from Nursing for just a bit and to explore things that I normally would not get to explore (i.e African art and dance).

It took me a while, but I finally learned how to walk from Abafun (my residence) to the academic center, as well as Osu (the busy city area). That's kind of exciting because it means now I can explore more without being scared of getting lost. Then again, being scared can be a good thing (as well as getting lost).

The homesickness has finally begun to dwindle. For a day, I felt really depressed, but I definitely take it as part of the experience. Not only am I no longer in my old comfort zone, I'm also in Africa. And for a moment, I forgot why I chose Africa or to study abroad at all. Now I am able to easily recall my many reasons for choosing Ghana; I won't go over them, but the important thing is that the reasons still hold true. I am not going to be in Africa for very long. Before I know it, it will already be May and I will be boarding a plane headed to Newark. I am going to appreciate every day I get to spend here because I will never get these days back. Ghana, thusfar, has been wonderful, and the people here are all so friendly. No matter how dismal some of the situations here may seem, the Ghanaians are still very proud and strong people. I have a lot of respect for them.


Our first night in Accra! We had just gotten off the plane and through customs. The majority of us look like pure crap :)

Has it really only been five days since I arrived? Feels so much longer. It still has not hit me that I am going to be here for the next five months. Orientation has made the trip so far seem long and repetitive, but in a few short days we're all going to be starting our classes at the NYU academic center, Ashesi University, and the University of Ghana. I'm really looking forward to a lot of these classes. It is so nice to take a break from nursing and to just take all electives. I'm especially looking forward to the two art classes... it has been way too long.

Being an Asian in Ghana is very interesting. Everyone always mentions the experience of a foreigner (or an 'abruni,' if you will) but that term mainly applies to Caucasians, or at least in my humble opinion. I took a walk around my neighborhood a few days ago and it was very obvious that the Ghanaians were surprised to see me. They'll stop and ask if I am from China or if I am Japanese. But let's be honest: that happens even in New York City, but the big difference is that the Ghanaians are all very friendly and endearing, for the most part. Everyone is always waving and asking you how you are doing. My neighbors are so pleasant that it is hard to be annoyed even when they are looking at me like I have a penis on my forehead.

It is very different seeing children who have little to nothing on almost every road. Back in New York City, I'm used to seeing white brats with their American Girl dolls (yes, I said it). It is refreshing in a way, but in truth, it is beyond depressing. I think I am more sensitive than most people (that's a bad thing, I think). The other day when these young beggars chased the van and wouldn't let go of my window has led me to think that maybe I am not strong (?) enough for Africa. I'm trying to define what that means, even for myself.

Dr. Yaw said something the other day that moved me: "People can challenge your knowledge, but they cannot challenge your experience." I'm not sure how the next five months will play out. I could love it or hate it, but regardless the experience is my own.

I am finally here in Accra, Ghana. After an exhausting flight from Newark to London, a very lonely eight-hour layover at Heathrow Airport, and a seven hour flight from London to Accra, I arrived at my residential hall at around 11 pm last night. It was love at first sight; Lila Yuen is in a relationship with Accra (Ghana).

Today was the first of many days of orientation (actually, there are only 5 more days but they are 10-12 hours each). The staff here is unbelievable; in fact, everything here is unbelievable. Abafun Crescent Complex is a huge house which I share with seven other girls. Elizabeth and I have the largest room with direct access to the balcony. Everything is super except for our air conditioner, which was deemed broken when it started to rain on my desk. Aside from that, I could not ask for more-- we even have avocado/banana/palm trees in our backyard.

I don't miss New York nearly as much as I miss the people living in it. However, Skype is making communication so much easier at the cost of two pennies per minute :)

I still cannot believe I am in Africa; it will all either become more real or surreal (perhaps both?) when I begin classes at the University of Ghana/Ashesi University and when I start volunteering at the Osu Children Center and hopefully the hospital too.

I guess I am waiting to come down from what John called the "Ghana high." I do not see it happening anytime soon.