Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Differences


Obviously Ghana and the United States are not the same. In fact they are very, very different from one another. One difference is how much I love water here versus when I am in the United States. Maybe this has to do with the fact that we walk everywhere in the blazing heat. But this is not just any water, it is bagged water. Yes, all water is in little square bags. Each bag has 500 ml and you just rip a whole in a corner to drink. At first I was very surprised by the bagged water, however, after thinking about it bagged water makes a lot of sense.

The driving is always very different in foreign countries and that is no different here. Today as we took a ride in a taxi we found ourselves wondering if it would be safer to be walking on the side of the road, which we normally do, or riding in the taxis and other various transportation on the road. I am still a little undecided on this. I am not sure why, but it seems the driving ability always declines in other countries. Maybe it just seems more orderly on Main Street in Logan. Maybe I just don’t understand all the rules of the road here in Ghana. I just need to realize that just because there is a pothole there is no need to slow down. I am amazed that there are not more popped tires here as I somehow managed to pop two of mine on the freeway in the middle of Montana with no potholes.

The last difference that I would mention is the friendliness of the individuals. Everyone is so nice to us and to each other. I feel like in Utah you just don’t say hi to people you don’t know. Here everyone says hello to us and asks us how we are doing. But maybe that is just because we are white. So when I come home don’t be alarmed if I start talking to everyone.

Ashley P! 

Friday, January 25, 2013

African Hair


Yesterday, Rachel and I decided since we were living in Africa we need to get our hair done like some African women. My hair is now longer than it has ever been in my life and completely braided. It took like six hours and the ladies that did it for us spoke no English at all. But boy was it quite the experience.

For those of you that know me at all know that I love my hair. I know that it does not always look super amazing, but I try my hardest to keep it looking nice. But hair is very difficult to keep hair looking nice in all this heat and humidity. So braids seem to be a very reasonable solution.

Part of the process. 
Okay, but get this. We are sitting there just getting our hair braided and all of a sudden they pull out this flame. They basically ran every braid through the flame. I tried to ask them if it would damage my hair before, but I am not real sure they understood what I was asking them. But I just hoped that they wouldn’t do anything that they knew would damage my hair. So here is to hoping that my hair is not completely ruined when I take the braids out!


The flame! 
So far I have enjoyed having my hair braided, but I have absolutely no idea what to do with it. After they added all the new hair in my hair is much thicker than normal. I can barely even get my hand all the way around the pony tail. So I will probably just put it on the top of my head like every day. I am enjoying Africa everyday more and more!

All done! 
Ashley P! 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Sky View?!?! Say what?!?!


So you will never guess what I say today in the middle of nowhere, Africa. That’s right I saw the Sky View logo. I was like what is this?!?! But the school that we taught some business lessons in today had the Sky View logo painted on the side and I think is called the Sky View World Joy School maybe. It was pretty crazy to see something from home, in no joke the middle of nowhere.

I obviously had to document this craziness so I took a couple pictures. It may be true that I used to not like Sky View very much as they are the main rival as Mountain Crest, but it was almost surprisely nice to see something that reminded me of home. So here are some pictures of the school and also some of beautiful scenery I got to see on my 7 km walk today!







Ashley P! 

Monday, January 21, 2013

Obroni!


Everywhere we go people shout “obroni, obroni, obroni!!” Haha it’s like the greatest thing ever. That is about the only thing I know in Twi. Twi is the main language that they speak here in Abomosu. If any of you know me at all I am absolutely horrible at learning other languages. I took French for four years and still can’t say a thing. I am trying my hardest to pick some things up, but I think this heat is killing all of my brain cells.

The other new different thing that I experience on a daily basis is water in a bag. There is no bottled water here; instead all water is in 500 ml bags. It actually seems to be a great idea, as all the water you drink needs to be cleaned first. The bags are much easier to dispose of, versus a bottle.

There is just a little update on daily life here in Africa. Tomorrow, we are going to start teaching some of our business lessons. This morning we were able to go to a local school and assist with some teaching there.

Ashley P! 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

For Reals?


Okay, I know I know I already posted today. But there are just some things in life that you have to post about! So get this today I road in a taxi with 12 yes 12 other people in it!! Haha it was so crazy!!  It was actually a little scary at first as I was the only person really in the taxi then all of a sudden the guy picked up tons of people. He just kept calling me white man then he was like o white women. I am pretty sure the driver knew no english and he was not very old either. In the back seat we had eight people  Let’s just say there was no personal space on that right. But I did get to hold the cutest little African child ever! When I get back to the states I am going to see how many people I can pack into my colbalt! It is going to be a party!

We got pictures with the sign that goes to our village that we are staying in. I haven’t taken very many pictures yet, but I home to start taking lots of them. I want to have this trip documented. So here are some pictures from today.

Home




Also it is really dusty here obviously. I just had to take a picture of how disgusting my feet were when I got back today! So here that is.


Ashley p! 

African Life


Not real sure why I named this blog post African life, as so far I don’t know a whole lot about the African life style. As far as I can tell it is real laid back which is fine with me. There is absolutely no stress here and it is the greatest thing in the world.

Yesterday, we took a little walk around Abomosu the village that we are staying in. All the people stared at us lots since we are the only white people in the whole village besides a few missionaries. It is pretty crazy being in the minority after being in the majority all my life.

We don’t have lots of plans for today yet, which is fine with me as we have lots of time here, so I am not worried about missing out on too much. I think I will read some more books today! I think that I will read lots of books while I am here so if anyone has any good suggestions let me know! I am kind of obsessed with love stories at the moment so send them my way!! Thanks!

Ashley P! 

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Accra, Ghana


Well, I am now a sweating mess sitting in Ghana. Just to prove I am still alive I have taken a picture that you can see below. Please don’t judge as I have been traveling for over thirty hours straight and have finally reached the 80 degree weather and humidity. So greetings from Ghana!

So Beautiful! 

I am not sure what the game plan is from here on out, but I am happy to just go with the flow. I think that tomorrow we are going to journey out to the village we will be staying in, but hopefully first we can go to the mall! I love shopping and I especially love shopping in different countries! No worries I will probably update this blog lots, as I don’t have lots of people to talk to here yet.

Ashley P! 

Monday, January 14, 2013

I’m Leaving On A Jet Plane!!


The day as finally arrived! I am on my way to Africa. What the heck?!?! It is so crazy that the day has actually arrived. This morning started real early at four when I woke up! I have lovely friends Summer and Rachel who drove me to the airport, since my family is maybe a little too busy to take me. It seems weird that I said good bye for three months this morning. I still think that I am going to wake up in my bed tomorrow.

We are done with one flight and have two more to go, until we reach Ghana. The flight to Dallas wasn’t super long, but I got to sit by a missionary. It was pretty awesome to see so many missionaries going out and serving the lord. The missionary I sat by was going to El Salvador and there was a group of probably about ten that were also going there.

We have about three hours until we fly to London. The flight is going to be really long so I plan on watching movies to make it go faster, hopefully. We then have a 6 ½ hour layover in London. Then we will make the final stretch to Accra!

I still don’t believe that I am really going! I would absolutely love to hear from everyone so please please email me, facebook me, or skype me. I won’t even be mad if you do all three!

Ashley P!     

Monday, January 7, 2013

Getting Nervous


I leave in a week, and somehow I still don’t have a VISA. I am getting real nervous that my VISA will never come and my dream of going to Africa is going to be squashed. Maybe this is why I refuse to start packing. The reality just hasn’t set in yet. So if you all want to pray that my VISA will come sometime this week that might be helpful. Also volunteers to pack and clean my room for me are welcome!

I don’t even know how to explain how I feel about this upcoming adventure. I am super excited, but scared and nervous at the same time. I know that it will be an amazing opportunity, but I am so scared and sad to leave my life here. I love my life and am real worried that things will have changed by the time I come back. I feel like the years that I am close with my friends are dwindling. It is inevitable that we are all going to grow up and move away.

Life is changing all around. For the first time in a long time I did not go to school at the start of a new semester. That was really weird for me, but also welcomed.  So here is to life changing and hoping that my VISA comes!

Ashley P! 

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Goodbye 2012!


It looks like twenty twelve has come and gone. And here we are at 2013. It is pretty crazy to think that another year is here. 2012 was a great year in my book.  A little bit of everything was mixed into my year. There were happy time and sad times. But all in all it was awesome!  

I think the biggest accomplishment of the year that sticks out to me, is that I am done with all of classes. It seems so weird that I am graduating from college, I still feel like I could just be starting high school, but am not complaining.

Always an Aggie! 
The first big trip I went on this year was my cruise! And boy was it a good time! I am so blessed to have the wonderful friends that I have. We went to Mexico and had a grand ole time. Only probably is I want to go one another cruise so bad! Anyone want to join in?

Cruise Group! 
Shopping in the Markets! 
San Diego Temple! My favorite! 

Mostly my year was full of activities with my friends. I do believe I even jumped into Hyrum Dam with all of my clothes on. The best part my possibly have been when I saved Kenzie’s life as she was dying of a charlie horse in her calf. Here are just a few pictures of highlights from my year! 

He is We! VIP tickets! Best concert of my life! 

Froggy Hunting! We have the best ideas! 
Four Wheeling in Afton! 
Jumping off the Bridge at First dam! 
Camping over Memorial. We did sleep in a car...
Shelby's Wedding! 
Love these girls! Us at Debra's Wedding!
In August, I flew off to New York to see Summer Jones who left me alone all summer! It was great to experience the city with a good friend, but the best part was going up to the Church history sites and seeing where it all began.

NYC
The Sacred Grove is amazing. I love it! 
Niagara Falls! 
The last big trip of the year is when we decided it would be a great idea to drive all the way to Canada! The drive was fine except that part where I thought I was invisible and could drive over anything I wanted to on the freeway. The Calgary Temple was amazing!

No worries I just ran that over. 
Canada!! 
Calgary Temple! 
2012 was a great time, but I am even more excited for what 2013 brings. I honestly have absolutely no idea where I will be in a year. There are lots of possibilities and I look forward to figuring my life out. So here is to a great 2013! 

Ashley P!