First times

I mowed the lawn for the first time this evening. After living on this earth for almost twenty one years its quite wild and unheard of that I have yet to put mower to grass. The front and backyard of my folks house are not that large so the task was only mildly challenging. It took a few minutes to figure out the inner workings of the lawn mower and properly turn it on. After following my dad's directions and multiple tries i finally heard the rev of the motor and the snap back of the rope, success. I carefully strided across the lawn trying to create a pattern that would impress every on looker while including my elderly neighbours lawn.

The tree in the middle of the lawn and the hills bending each and every way inhibited my smooth straight lines. But I pushed through and towed the mower to the backyard. There I won the war and went up the lawn, down the lawn, up and down and created a grid of freshly mowed grass.

I took a deep breath and took in that smell of new grass everyone craves, it was sweeter then normal, it was my mowed lawn.

2010 goals continued

Make sushi

Let go of things in the past (forgive AND FORGET)

Better lat(er) then never!

It's been over a year and a half since I posted on this blog, but I remember writing my thoughts, my feelings, my experiences down on here while in Ghana was a rejuvenating experience. So I'm going to do just that. This space is for me, I don't expect anyone else to relate to it, let alone read it, but feel free to partake in either if you wish.

I don't normally make goals for the new year, but this year I've decided to do things a little differently. 2010 will be here in 28 days so I better get a list started.

2010 will be the year to:

blog often
plant atleast one tree
volunteer with a charitable group outside of my school community
put a razor to my hair
go on an overnight hiking trip
fall for someone
mow a lawn
cross country ski
make something new out of something old
get over 90% on a paper

There is so many more possible goals, I will have to contemplate and add more within the next 28 days.

Goodnight

So far away you are in my memory
I wish it wasn't true
I wish I could remember every sight, smell and sound
Your a dream
I know its true
I never met you
Ghana, I never knew you
Please remind me
Pass by me in the cold wind of Canada
Whisper to me all your secrets that I once knew
I'm begging to feel your hand clutched in my own
I promise if you show yourself to me again I will never forget
Until then, I'll read the pages of my journal, I'll feel the softness of the cloth I bought
I'll cherish the photos I've taken
Until then I'll cling to every memory of you

My last weekend at Matthew 25

This weekend I met some extremely inspirational people. People who made me excited about the world, excited about living. They gave me faith in humanity. They gave me strength. No they were not Ghanaian politicians, no they weren't doctors or lawyers. They were children. The official title to these kids are Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC's) They are either orphaned by HIV/AIDS or vulnerable to it.

We held a four day 'camp' for them. We played games, had talks did art work and danced, we danced a lot. We also went on an excursion to Akaa falls, which are beautiful waterfalls near Koforidua. I played football with some of the young boys and skipped with some of the girls. I was taught new games and had to much fun playing them. We coloured mandalas and made cards to remind us to love ourselves. It was a weekend to be kids, to come together and just have fun. It was also a time that Matthew 25 handed out school items that some of the kids need but can't afford, such as uniform, books, shoes pens etc.

Every night as I would journal about my day I would have a huge smile on my face and fill at least 3 pages. Despite the constant poking and exhaustion I was always happy and thankful for the day.

I hope that each of these children have all their dreams come true because they all deserve so much.