Hello again!

So first of all, yay for fans. Anne and I found another Internet Cafe with fans and I'm at about the coolest I've been, but like I said, we're definitely getting used to the heat. So last night when we got home, Lawrence and Nicolas (a friend) brought us our stove. Which consists of a gas tank and a range top. Grrreat. Haha, but seriously we're really excited, especially after last night. We also got a tea boiler to boil water, which is awesome, and knives (so that we can have fruit! yay!). We had planned on going out for dinner but by the time we were going to head out, it was DARK, and after about three steps out of our door we turned around and decided to attempt cooking. We boiled water in the water boiler and poured it out about three times to make sure it was clean/sanitary enough to use and then made Ramen. We were so proud of our first African cooking experience. Plus, now that we can boil water, we don't have to worry about having enough bottled water to brush our teeth. We don't trust it quite enough to drink it, but who knows how adventurous we'll be by the end of the month. But after eating, we just chilled and talked, enjoying the fan in our living room, which is probably the best (and coolest) room in our flat. Then, while Anne was on the phone with her mom, explaining how safe we felt, the power went out. Again. Luckily it came back on after about 20 minutes, and we were totally fine but it just reminded us that we are, in fact... in Ghana. We were exhausted from the heat and walking around, so we passed out around 11pm, another great night of sleep, even though apparently I kept getting really startled (according to Anne) whenever she'd move.

We heard the rooster again this morning, and woke up around 7am to get to church. It was such an amazing experience, but I'll have to write about it later because I'm running out of time! Love you all!!

Obruni!!!

Geales and Anne made it through the first day! Today around 5 they walked to Appra, which is about 15 minutes from their village. Here they found an internet cafe. Geales didn't have much time there, but she was able to send me an email. And this is what she had to say:

Hello from Ghana! It's been a long 48 hours or so, and I don't have much time, but I'll write what I can! When we landed Friday morning, Anne and I befriended a guy named Brad from unc, who actually knew one of anne's friends from home--random! Everything went pretty smoothly through customs and the passport/visa check, but Anne got questioned at the passport checkpoint--apparently it was sketchy when we said we were just staying with a man named Lawrence. But we got through fine, found our luggage, and met a very nice man, Nii, who had been sent to pick us up by Albi, a friend of Lawrence. He took us via taxi ride from the plane to the train station, where he bought our tickets for us and stayed with us until we got on the bus, talking about his favorite places in Ghana. He even negotiated with some of the workers to get us on an earlier bus! As we were boarding the bus, the ticket lady stopped me because my ticket was technically for the 2:30pm bus, but then the worker gestured to anne and me, saying "these are my people" and so we were able to get on! As we were leaving, Nii said, "I hope to see you, my sisters, again!" The bus ride was pretty uneventful, an air conditioned bus with lots of nice people. When we got off the bus, i called Lawrence and he came to meet us. it was so heartwarming because he was just so excited to see us. he then took us to our flat, which, as grace wrote, has some running water and flickery electricity, but it is VERY nice by Ghana standards and we are so thankful to be staying in such a nice place. We feel so safe--you have to lock like three doors to get into our bedroom, and all of the windows have very thick bars covering them. it has a gorgeous view, too, because it is a bit outside of the main village. there are roosters and chickens everywhere and the most beautiful plants. After relaxing for an hour or so, Lawrence brought over the administrators of the school and talked about what we'll be doing. He also told us about the history of CEJOCEP. Lawrence is such a kind, genuine person and is just so inspiring to talk with. CEJOCEP was started in 2003 with fewer than 60 students, but has now grown to over 430 students with 26 fully employed teachers. CEJOCEP International School is one of the most affordable schools in the area. The students can even get a full lunch for 30 pesues per day, which is about 25 cents. CEJOCEP also encourages and assists teachers in continuing their own education at the University in Cape Coast. On Monday, we'll go to school, where we'll spend the first day learning African traditions, like drumming and Fante (the local language) and traditional dress. After that, we'll be able to choose the age and subject we'd like to teach. Anne's sooo excited she'll be able to teach French! I'm not sure what I'm going to teach yet but I'm very excited all the same! After we met with the administrators, Anne and I hung around the apartment because we thought they were coming back to take us to dinner, and even though we were starving, not having eaten since breakfast on the plane, we didn't want them to come to the flat and us not be there! So around 8pm we started getting scared that we weren't going to be able to eat until the next day, but luckily John showed up around this time and took us to a great little restaurant called Tina's Tavern in the next village. The food was warm and delicious, although interesting. anne and i both got fried rice, which was delicious, but when i looked at my fish i saw it was... a fish head, haha. ohhh man. but i DID try some, trying to be adventurous. It was so cheap too, just 5 centi for dinner and a bottle of water, which comes out to about four dollars. Afterwards, we walked around the village and John walked us home. It's so beautiful here, especially at night when it cools down. The vegetation is very lush, and when it's dark it's DARK. Like pitch black. We're quickly seeing why so many people have referred to it as "Sweet, sweet Africa." When Anne and I got home we quickly fell asleep on top of the mattress and sheet that are our bed--I don't think we'll use any sheets or blankets the whole time we're here.

Today, Anne and I slept in till about 9, although we were woken up by roosters squaking outside our window a bit before 6. there are goats and chickens and roosters and pigs EVERYWHERE even throughout the city, just wandering around. we both slept very well, thanks to some Tylenol PM (Good call, Mrs. Crumbley). We're planning on getting a fan for the room soon, though, but we're really fine. we're getting used to the humidity. anyways, today lawrence, the head of cejocep, and john, the headmaster of cejocep international school, where we'll be teaching, came and took us around cape coast, which is about a 15 or 20 minute taxi ride from kakumdo. these two men have been so kind and willing to take care of us. we walked around the cape coast and the marketplace and saw the castles, and anne and i got some groceries so we don't have to go out for every meal. we don't really have a place to cook so we stuck with cereal and cookies. we're hoping to get a kettle so that we can make pasta. well come back very well nourished, haha. there's so much i want to tell you and explain but i feel like i can't put it into words! i can't wait to show you pictures. everyone here is so nice, especially the people who lawrence introduces us to. the kids are hilarious and so adorable, every time they see us they get so excited and chant 'obruni, obruni, how are you.' on our way to the internet cafe, which is the first place we've been alone, a group of about 10 just started following us. it's so funny.

I absolutely love it here, especially the people. They're so happy, and life is so simple and beautiful! I love you all and I'll see you when I return!

Finally made it!!

Geales finally arrived at the airport in Accra at 9:15 Accra time. Geales and Anne did not take a car to the village because it was too expensive. Instead they patiently waited for the 2:30 bus to take them to Kakumdo Village. The drive took about 3 hours, so they arrived in the village around 4:20. Their duplex has running water, electricity, and windows with bars on them. Thank goodness! Geales said that it is hot as hell but she is super excited and relieved to be there! The people there are also very kind. 

And we're off!!

So after far too many complications, which will definitely be explained later, haha, Anne and I are off on our adventure! Keep us and those we are working with in your prayers, and hopefully I'll be able to update when we get to Cape Coast!
Love,
Geales
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Almost didn't make it!

So thankfully right now I'm sitting in the airport terminal waiting for Anne's flight from NOLA to get in. That almost didn't happen.

So I get to the airport with about 3 hours before my flight. Excellent start. Say my goodbyes, attempt to calm my butterflies that have grown to the size of large geese inside my stomach. I walk over to the self check in kiosks, like always, and attempt to check in. I scan my itinerary, passport, and everything is fine. Then, though, it asks me for the credit card with which I purchased the tickets. Uh oh. That credit card, which I ONLY use in the US is sitting on my desk. At home. I had noooo idea I needed it.

Ok, I think, this is probably just at the kiosk. So I wait in the international line for about half an hour, talking to all the people around me and of course making new friends (sorry, Andrew, haha). I finally get up to the desk, still cheery and polite, and the attendant asks me for my card. I let her know what's going on, and she informs me I cannot fly without that card. CANNOT FLY. I tell her I have another card and she tells me I'll have to repurchase tickets! Really, Delta?? Also, unfortunately she speaks only a little broken English so I'm sure she thought I was a fraud fleeing the country. Luckily, she called someone else over who said that I would be able to essentially re purchase the tickets with a new card and be just fine. Well that attendant left and the original one attempted to do just this, and then informed me that the price of the ticket had changed, therefore I owed Delta about $300. Um no thanks. After another 15 minutes, and another attendant, though, everything was sorted out. Hopefully. We'll see if I make it back :). Haha. Oh yes, and then she informed me that I needed a visa to go to Ghana. Yes, I replied, I have one. Her: no you don't. Yes, its right here, I said, pointing to the bright yellow card in my passport saying VISA. Oh. Ok. But anyways, I made it. And now I'm on the plane to new york! Woooo!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Last hello from Georgia!

First of all...

Some things that are making me smile:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxjOwcIbcjw
Ok, so this may not be as funny if you don't know Laurie, but I thought it was worth posting. Background: Laurie (who I know, this isn't creepy), mother of two awesome girls, serenades the volunteers of her girls' school. If you haven't seen it, watch it, and congratulate her on her pending record deal :)

2. http://www.buttersbrownies.com/
Seriously-best brownies. EVER. They handed these out at the 26.2 with Donna Marathon and I've never tasted a better, richer, but not too heavy brownie. I'll be ordering a life supply ASAP.

3. Eric Hutchinson. Listen to him. Fall in love with him. You'll thank me! :)

4. Fruit snacks. Veggie Tales characters in wonderful, fruity flavors? Who could ask for more??

5. Summer thunderstorms.

Anyways, I can't believe that I'm about to leave tomorrow! Shout out to my sister, Grace, who ran around Atlanta with me all day on random errands and kept me calm when I was over-caffeinated and almost over the edge, haha. I guess I should get some sleep, but I just wanted to say ADIOS before I head off! I'll try to update as often as I can, and if I can't, Grace will be posting some updates when I call home, and I'll post more when I arrive back in ATL! See everyone later!!

Love,
Geales

What's in a name?

So, if you're reading this, you obviously got the memo about the address change--Good! Sorry about that! But, onto other business... As I'm getting ready for this adventure, I can't help but think about all the OTHER incredible places I've been blessed to be able to visit. I've put up pictures on Facebook, but I've also added all of my South Korea pictures to Shutterfly. You can see them at...

http://beautifulviews.shutterfly.com/
The password is "katherinegeales."

Happy viewing :)

T-minus FOUR DAYS!

So as most of you know, I'll be heading off to Ghana in a few days for about four weeks and then Peru for about three weeks after that! I keep a blog besides this, but decided to just go ahead and make a new one (sort of, this was the one I planned on using in Europe, but that didn't really work out haha) to keep everyone updated. Maybe I'll even keep it up after the summer? We'll see, haha.

So, here's the plan:
May 28th: leave my sweet little house in Alpharetta for the airport. What time, you ask? Oh, just 6am. Whatevs. Flight leaves at 9:45am, we arrive in NYC at around noon, add in a 5 hour layover. We leave NYC at 5:50pm.

What time do I arrive in Accra? Oh, you know. 8:10am. On Friday. Twenty-eight hours of traveling.

Ok, so actually because of the time change it's technically just 24 hours. But add in the getting our bags, and riding to Ghana, and we'll be on our feet for about 26 hours.

(If you didn't catch this from above, there is surprisingly just a four hour time difference between Atlanta and Accra. It'll hopefully make jetlag a bit easier.)


Sarcasm aside, I'm INCREDIBLY excited. UNBELIEVABLY excited.

When we arrive in Accra, Anne and I will take a car from the airport to Cape Coast, technically Kakumdo Village, where we'll be spending about four weeks working with CEJOCEP. It's an awesome organization we found out about through some Fellows who graduated a few years ago. They worked with them and had a fabulous experience. Anne's been in communication with Lawrence, the head of the organization, and we really feel like this is where we're supposed to be. You can find out more about the organization here, but in short, Anne and I will be teaching and helping out with construction. Not to mention having incredible adventures on the weekends.

Nothing to do...

Alright, so one of the few up-sides of having absolutley nothing to do at home is that now when I get bored, I run. So, I've gone from out of shape (for me, yes, this is different but whatever, go with me) to back to the shape I was in January-ish. And my body just feels RIGHT again. I'll refrain from putting everything up here, but I've included a few three a days. Yep, that's right. That's how bored I've been. But it's like it takes up twice as much time, because the more I exercize, the more I sleep. And eat. It's fabulous, haha.

In other news, I really REALLY shouldn't be allowed to go to the doctor anymore. Every single time I go, I get sick. Or pass out. Here are my past visits to the health center/hospital/doctor:

September #1: This is post-concussion. Long story short, I walked into a gas station sign. Yes, hahhaha. Very funny, I swear I'm smart. Swear it. I was walking, talking, and texting, and all of a sudden I heard this loud BANG and fell backwards. I hit the front of my head on the sign and the back on the concrete sidewalk. At first I felt fine, embarassed, but fine. Fast forward 15 minutes. I'm sleepy, nauseous, and dizzy as anything. The doctor assures me I'm fine, no concussion. Five minutes later, he comes back and changes his mind. Great, thanks for being competent.

September #2: Three days later, I get a migraine. A few hours later, the migraine spreads. Throughout my body. Worst. Pain. EVER. I slept for about fourteen hours, during which I apprently moaned (according to my sweet roomie, who was amazing and caring through all of this). A day later, I still feel AWFUL. TERRIBLE. So I let my roommate take me to the Health Center, where they give me pain killers that they give cancer patients. First, they give me two pills for the pain and a pill for the nauseau they promise will follow. This has no effect, so the doctor then kindly puts me through a great deal of pain. Read: four shots. Like, I'm talking I feel like there's fire coursing through my veins. After the last shot, though, I'm out. For the rest of the day. Sweet Roomie drives me to get various scans, tests, etc. My only memory is making her pull over so I can throw up for ten minutes on the side of a quite busy road. FAB-U-LOUS.

Fast forward to May, the month of doctor visits.

May #1: Two shots. I pass out.

May #2: Two more shots. I throw up on the way home.

May #3: Dentist. Let me tell you, they LOVE me here. Not. Not only do I not floss as much as I should, I also get sick every single time I come. It's a combination of all the fingers in my mouth and the fact that my mouth is about half the size of a regular adult. No lie. So the molds don't fit, the xray pads don't fit, and everything extra gets shoved down my throat. Add that to my weak stomache, and you have one sick me.

Anyways, I have ANOTHER appointment tomorrow. To get a cavity filled. AKA, it involves shots. And fingers in my mouth. And disgusting drills and pain. FAB-U-LOUS.

grace.

Grace:

Pronunciation:

\ˈgrās\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin gratia favor, charm, thanks, from gratus pleasing, grateful; akin to Sanskrit gṛṇāti he praises

Date:

12th century

1 My lovely, complex, hard-as-nails sister. God lover her. Haha.

2 simple elegance or refinement of movement : she moved through the water with effortless grace.
AKA: something I will NEVER have. Not so much on the gracefulness. :)

3 (in Christian belief) the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

Grace.

La vita è bella.

my life is beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. bella, bonita, schön, belle. beautiful, gorgeous, breathtaking.

I had coffee this morning with a lady whose girls I used to babysit, and whose girls my sister now babysits since I'm at college. She's probably the most amazing lady I know. She's confident, absolutely gorgeous, caring, and strong in her faith. Being around her makes me want to do life-changing, world-shaping things.

What amazed me today, and actually, I knew this already, but my eyes opened and saw it again like it was new, and now this is an awful, incoherent sentence, but whatever. Point is, she cares a ton about not only my sister and me, but my family. She really cares about my sister and me. Every Friday morning, she meets my sister and another Freshman at a local coffee shop, for about an hour before school, just to talk. This year, they didn't really get into really deep topics, they just built trust. But basically what this (awesome) woman wanted to do is provide a place for my sister and these other young women to come with... everything.

[This was actually written on Friday morning. At this point, I actually went on a run with said Wonder Woman, and I'm now resuming writing on.. Sunday night. Whoop.]

Anyways, point is, this woman's incredible. She's got gifts galore. And I was talking about this to MD, she can somehow work her faith into discussions without seeming all "holier-than-thou." In fact, she's one of those people who, after talking with her, I WANT to get closer to God and deepen my faith. One of the things we talked about for most of our run was GRACE, which is such an incredible topic when you think about it.

This afternoon I went over and visited with another woman I used to babysit for. She's another pillar in my life, a cross between a second mother and psuedo-older sister. We literally talked for three hours. I always leave feeling so, SO blessed after talking to her. More later.

Another person I'm eternally thankful for: my high school cross country/track coach. I went on a great GREAT run with him this morning. We talked the whole time, and I left feeling like we could talk for longer--about running, life, relationships, everything.

Ironically, its these adults who are among the people I feel like I can be myself. I don't feel like I have to put on a show or act differently to impress them. This post isn't nearly what I want it to be. But whatever. Point is: kudos to these people. And to everyone else, I hope you have these people in your life, too.

Also, one more thing I love: unexpected phone calls and texts from friends. Just those little reminders that someone loves you, cares about you, and makes you smile.

Also: sorry for using the phrase "point is" so many freaking times. Oops.

Good morning, world :)

Morning morning morning!

So, yesterday, I wasn't even up at this time. Today, I've been up for 5 hours and thirteen minutes (at the start of this blog). So far, I've...
-Completed a 1 hour circuit workout (kicked my butt)
-Came home, checked blogs and returned emails for 15 minutes
-Helped set up for field day at Wilson Creek with Coach and some HS friends
-Came home, took a hot bath and a cool shower
-Read lots and lots of blogs
-Cleaned my room

And now I'm sitting here, at 9:17am, pretty content with life. :-)

Things I'm Loving...

1. Eric Hutchinson
2. Coffee
3. Joshua Radin
4. Legal pads
5. Wonderful, incredible friends and deep relationships
6. Having a 5 minute conversation with a random stranger
7. Laughing
8. Running
9. The collegiate-ness of sitting in a coffee shop studying and blogging
10. Looking back on this incredible year and wanting to capture it all :)
11. Fruit snacks
12. Twitter