Monday Girl

Days 1 - 8: Ghana

2012-01-25T00:27:00.000+02:00

If you know me, you know I hate packing... mixed with my procrastination tendencies, meant a last minute packing stint and a rush to the airport. Luckily I made it in good time. Missing flights is something not new to me... but my parents would not have been the slightest bit amused if I had indeed missed this flight.

Having had a crazy few months at work a holiday was really something I needed... but it didn't quite feel like I was going on holiday. If you've ever been to Ghana with the parentals then you'll understand why.

I was looking forward to a nice, quiet, relaxed flight but fate had other plans for me. I got seated next to THE most irritating guy! Yes that guy that just doesn't keep quiet... and insists on the 21 questions, the macking, the pestering... and even after telling him I did not want to talk, and I ignored him... he still managed for 4 out of the 6 hour flight to tap me ever few minutes to request I listen to a song that was playing on the channel he was listening to. Luckily he eventually fell asleep and I managed to have almost 2 hours of peace and quiet.

Getting off the plane I was expecting that gush of a heat wave that I last remembered and that everyone talks about... but surprisingly it never came...

I made my way through the airport and eventually approached 3 signs: Dimplomats, Other Nationals, Ghanaian Nationals. I was taken a back a bit... then made my way to the "other nationals" queue... it was the weirdest thing. I remembered my blog on "Me Firi Ghana" and how I declared how I'm so Ghanaian... made me laugh a bit...

The next few days involved lots of sleep… well in context tothe amount of sleep I usual have… My Blackberry wasn’t working… I had nointernet connection for my laptop… I felt cut off from the world. It was afeeling of unease at first… then it became total bliss and pure relaxation…nothing to clog up my mind… no flashing red light… It’s amazing how muchrejuvenation one can get from 2-3 days without a phone…

The rest was well needed. The next few days in Accra involved HECTIC traffic, organised chaotic driving (not for the faint hearted), dust (lots of it) and whole day missioning to town, friends, family etc.

Day 6 we traveled to Dormaa Ahenkro to my father's side of the family. A 13 hour bus ride for a 350 km distance, puts things into a whole new perspective. A topic for another day.

Days 7 and 8 were amazing... so peaceful and relaxing without the Accra traffic. It was also great to be with my cousins. Nice to have people around of about the same age to interact with. The weather got really cold at night. I remembered from the last time I was there and brought a hoodie this time, but unfortunately forgot long pj pants and had to try manage through the cold. In reality it probably wasn't really that cold, but the significant drop in temperature from the day time heat definitely had an effect on me. It made me think of all those winters at UCT where the American exchange students would all wear shorts and we would look at them like they were crazy... People probably thought I was mad in my jerseys.

Me Firi Ghana - My version...

2011-12-07T11:27:00.001+02:00

Being Ghanaian is all I know...

I may have never spent any "real" time in the country but I seriously doubt that makes me any less Ghanaian than the guy living in Dormaa Ahenkro.

I don't think there should be degrees of being Ghanaian.... you either are or you're not. So what if I can't name a single street in Ghana, or pronounce my Twi words correctly? In my house my parents raised me Ghanaian and I think that sticks more than the fact that I have the typical exterior features of a Ghanaian lady.

An adopted child that knows he is adopted is able to stand firm on the fact that his adopted parents are his mother and father respectively based on the role they have played in his life. They are his parents and no-one can question that. Technicalities of blood unfortunately don't matter.

So to me "Me Firi Ghana" is a very personal, individual statement. You may identify with being Ghanaian by your actual blood heritage, your location of living in Ghana, by being raised by a Ghanaian cultural influence etc. As my psychology lectures always said: There is no right or wrong answer, just how well you argue your point of view. A white person can be Ghanaian in my opinion, just as a descendant of Kwame Nkrumah living in America can not be.

Everyone thinks Oprah is ridiculous when she claims to be from Africa because she is very American to us. Yes we all did history and realise her heritage lies in Africa, but why is it when a guy of Ghanaian origin claims to be American we get outraged. Even if his forefathers were raised in America, the fact that he has a Ghanaian surname makes us want to "claim him" as Ghanaian and deny him the right to be "American". So are the Ghanaians living in America with the surnames Smith, Simpson, Harvey and so forth let off the hook because it is not so apparent where their heritage lies?

I've lived in South Africa for 23 years of my life, I'm a South Africa citzen. I can speak Xhosa and Afrikaans far better than I probably ever will speak Twi. I can read and write the languages, I'm addicted to biltong. South Africa is home. But I still identify more with being a Ghanaian...

There are many layers to the argument of "Me Firi Ghana". At the end of the day it makes up part of my life not all of it, whereas to someone else it could encompass everything. We can't decide for someone else if they are Ghanaian or not, neither can we argue with their decision should they choose an option we do not understand or feel comfortable with.

Me Firi Ghana (and so what)?

2011-11-30T13:38:00.001+02:00

I received this an as email chain letter from my cousin the other day. Just thought I'd post it and find out what you guys think it means to say "Me Firi Ghana".

Me firi Ghana (and sowhat),
Is it the reflectiveshine from your ebony skin?
The length of yournatural hair as a woman?
The shape of yourhead?
The ethnicity of yourbirth name?
Or even theathleticism you displayed in your youth?
I mean what does itreally mean to say “Me firi Ghana”?

Ghana is more thanwhat you force upon others once you leave and have settled elsewhere.
There is no such thingas they are not Ghanaian enough,
Comments such as Kromha apro omu (this country has rotted them),
Should not even passones lips as you compare new arrivals versus old hands.

As a nation, when wetravel, we are quick to judge,
Quick to impose ourthoughts, views and values of what we feel it means to be REALLY Ghanaian.
How can one hold on toan image that has become faded in the minds of our parents
As they yearn for thejoys of their childhood
And try to project itin an environment that calls for openness and the understanding of differences
In order to encompassunity?

Being TRULY Ghanaianshould not depend on how well you read, write or speak twi,
How many times you cango to Ghana on vacation,
How high up the socialGhanaian community ladder in your adopted country you can climb throughmaterial acquisition,
And it CERTAINLY doesnot mean collecting dust in the muted halls of singledom
As one stubbornlyawaits to forge a relationship or even wedded union with a fellow Ghanaian
Because it is what isexpected from the family or community.

What it actually MEANSto say “Me firi Ghana”
Is to encompass thethemes of generosity, support, humility, self love and inspiration that saw ourgreat nation pave the way for Sub-Saharan Africa.
What it actually MEANSto say “Me firi Ghana” is to stand up for what you believe in,
Even if you standalone.
To be the change thatyou want to see,
Which could one dayinspire others.

Even if you are halfGhanaian, you are not a second class citizen!
Stand up and say… MEFIRI GHANA!

2011-11-18T08:42:00.001+02:00

Me, Myself and I

2011-11-04T22:27:00.001+02:00

When you look in the mirror who do you see?

I still see my 21 year old self… It has not quite resonatedwith me that I’m 25 years old. How did I get here? What happened to all thoseyears? I’m sure once upon a time I had a list of accomplishments I wanted toachieve by 25 and I’m not quite sure I’m there yet.

Today someone asked me what I considered to be my beststrengths/attributes and I literally went blank! I had a million things runningthrough my head but I kept questioning everything and couldn’t formulate anywords with confidence and assurance… what happened to the confident, selfknowing Sheila? This raised a huge red flag for me that it’s time I take a stepback and analyse myself, my life and where I want to go. I can’t be floatingabout getting by and losing myself in the process. I need to step up and takechange again. I might have missed the 25 year mark for certain achievements butI sure know where I want to be in the next 5 years and I definitely won’t befloating there or missing that mark!

Sometimes it’s important to look yourself in the eye and askwhat you are doing with your life. Take ownership of your actions or lackthereof and start again. The person I knew is still in there and it’s time tobring her out and get to know her again.

Time to start having “me” time again….

SMS DAVID to 45593

2011-10-26T19:25:00.000+02:00

Turns out that I have a friend who is one of CLEO Magazine's Top 50 Hottest Bachelor's in SA. I've only known David a few months, but if you think his looks are something, then you need to meet him. He has the warmest heart, the most infectious smile and intriguing mind that far surpasses his looks.

CLEO Bachelor of the year is an annual competition that runs in SA, selecting 50 of the finest bachelors across the country. The ultimate bachelor gets to walk away with great prizes including a CAR! Let's get David a car as there is no-one more deserving. All you have to do to vote is SMS DAVID to 45593. SMS costs R1.50. Only unique votes will be counted so 1 SMS is enough unless you have multiple cell numbers (wink wink). Vote and spread the word! Thanks.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish

2011-10-07T20:48:00.001+02:00

I was sent a BBM message at 06:30 yesterday morning regarding the death of Steve Jobs. Embarrassed to admit it, but the name didn't immediately ring a bell. I had to google him before I got the "aha" moment. I decided to do a bit of research about him and find out more about the Apple man, and what moved me the most was not all his great achievements, but the fact that he made something out of his life from the background he had.

I read the address he gave at Standford University and it made me realise the flame I had was gone. What happened to the passionate Sheila that was all about innovation and doing things no matter what other people said or thought? By the time I reached the end of his speech I could feel the flame burning inside me again. The itch had come back. A million and one thoughts ran through my mind about what it was I was going to do that I had been putting off. I felt alive again. I had read several posts on Jobs that stated "Steve Jobs: 'death is very likely the single best invention of life' ". The statement never really hit me till then. His near death experience gave him his life back, and his actual death gave me mine...

I've been attempting to blog for a couple of years now... always deleting my posts... always feeling self conscious about having my thoughts read. To blog one needs a thick skin. A few weeks ago I thought I'd give it another try. Deleted all my posts...again. Changed my blog name and had a vision for the direction in which I want to take it. For the past few weeks I haven't been inspired to write anything... But after being inspired yesterday, I decided this is the best time to start all over again.

Having been a varsity drop out myself (long story - I eventually got a degree), and having moved on and had some successes, I can identify and agree with Steve Jobs. It's up to ourselves to make the most of what we've got, and not to let other people bring us down and to believe that the future already has itself worked out for us with our best interests at heart. I leave you with this:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary" - Steve Jobs

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.