An interesting 8 months.
Almost an entire year has gone by since I last wrote something. Here's the short and sweet:
In January, I contracted viral Meningitis (diagnosed later) and it relapsed several times and brought on a load of complications in my body. I fought it out and did pretty well, if I do say so myself, considering I was 12 hours from a decent hospital and shriveling in Ghana's 140 deg. hot season. However, the decision to medevac me to Washington DC was finally reached in June.
It was a very odd way to return to the USA. I was a mess of emotions from not knowing what was happening to me (still didn't know yet everything had been related and Meningitis had caused it). And I was suddenly confronted with all these things I hadn't seen in an entire year: an endless supply of water, ice cream, a dishwasher!, a laundry machine!, a supermarket with anything I could want, air conditioning, a mattress with springs, sidewalks, fast internet, grapes, loads of white people, roomy cars, clean air... I could go on and on. My parents came and met me at the airport. It was wonderful to see them, I hadn't seen my dad in a year! The next month was spent seeing doctors and specialists and PCMOs. In the end I was given no choice but to be Medically Separated and give myself some time to heal.
And I was plopped back in Ohio. I hadn't lived at home since high school! After 7 months of doing little things here and there: a ghana month with the church youth group, odd jobs for my mom's business, visiting friends and family, talking to Nash every day on Skype, playing with the dogs.... Peace Corps has finally cleared me to go back! Whoo Hoo!
I will leave in a week.
Here I come Savelugu, you haven't gotten rid of me so easily!
I can't wait to see everyone. So many things have happened in my absence.
The Drumming and Dancing Troupe has gotten up and off the ground. We were able to give it a start before I left: 5 drums were bought, an instructor agreed to teach, and a few lessons were had. By now, though, the Troupe has been practicing for 2 full quarters and the deaf students are becoming dancing whizes! (I've seen video) Also, a second sponsor has been found-a Dutch group. They have provided a moto for the instructor to ride to the school, have organized the school's weaving/sewing class to produce original costumes for the dancers, and are even planning to found a non-profit organization that will support and expand the troupe. The first official performance is to be at a local restaurant this Friday (Jan. 30). I'm sad I won't be there to see it, but I'm planning to arrive before the second one! All in all the troupe has turned into a great success.
My sister, Sara, spent 6 weeks in Savelugu. The plan was for her to stay with me and bike to an internship at the local hospital every day. However, I was medevac-ed shortly before she was scheduled to arrive. We were discouraged that we weren't going to be able to spend those weeks together. Sara made the decision to go ahead without me. Nash picked her up in Accra, and my good friend and fellow PCV, Alicia, spent the first week with Sara to help her get acclimated. Despite my absence, everything actually worked out. Sara spent her days at the hospital getting all kinds of experience with malnourished babies, burn victims, and Malaria. Also, she actually contracted Malaria, which gave everyone at home a scare. In the afternoons she helped the Dance Troupe practice, often drumming or helping with dance moves. When she finally returned home, we talked for hours about all the different people she had met. It is interesting, without me there, she had a completely different experience, making/visiting her own set of friends at the hospital.
And let's not forget: BARACK OBAMA is our new president!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With a wonderful plan to double the size of the Peace Corps. Get excited.
