I’ve been lax, I know. Remiss even. I wonder if anybody even checks the blog anymore. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, although you’d never know.
A lot has happened. I was sick, then better, then sick, then better, then sick, then sicker, then really really sick, then a little better, then a little sick, then mostly better, then better, then sick, now mostly better. I now am the same weight that I was when I was 13.
Somewhere between a little sick and mostly better I moved from the house where I was living to a non-Ghanaian household consisting of a Norwegian girl I’ve become friends with and the child she is in the process of adopting. It’s great fun living with them, her child is a great lover of life, and is at a stage where her favourite forms of interaction are hugs and kisses. Regular hugs and kisses are very nice when living far from the people you love.
My research has not progressed as much as I would have hoped, given all the sickness, but it has progressed. I am better at interviewing now, and I have had the chance to sit in not just at funerals, but at the meetings before and afterward where much of the decision-making that I’m interested in happens. I’ve met a number of people who have given me really great and interesting information, and been very generous in their participation in my project.
The longer I stay here, the more this is just a place where I live. The quirks and funny moments that lend themselves to blogging start to fade away into ordinariness, and I am left walking down a dirt road next to a corn field, listening to the birds, insects, and traffic, with the sun beating on my head and the occasional passer-by carrying a load on her head, feeling a profound sense of ordinary. In many ways this is a good thing, it certainly is more comfortable to live in an ordinary place than a strange one. But it has the affect of making me feel like I have nothing to say, something which has unfortunately affected my research notes as well as my blog (although not nearly as badly, if my adviser is readin :) )
Anyway, I’m going to try to make more of an effort with the blog again, because I’ve started drafting my thesis, and it’s made me realize that I still have lots to say. Also, I miss talking to people, and I’m hoping that more activity will inspire both comments and emails.
Filed under: Daily-Living Ghana
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Yay! Updates!
I have you in my RSS list, so I never miss out on anything you post. xoxo
It’s so good to hear from you again! And to hear you are now “mostly better”. I am also really glad to hear you haved moved – It seemed like it was really trying where you were. I hear that you are planning to go back in the new year – is that true? My information has been third hand and really out of date. But checking your blog daily seems to have paied off! (yes I know all about email and the phone – just remember your not allowd to begrudge your sister!)
Still reading!
Great to have you back! I’d heard you were sick, and I’m glad you’re better. I know what you mean about ‘ordinary’. That’s how I feel when I think about writing to other people. Or maybe ‘dull & ordinary’. Nothing bores like familiarity, no matter where you are. Fortunately, other people don’t know that.
I still check, mostly daily. Today I was rewarded with your update.
Glad to hear you are feeling better (mostly). Hugs from us all, especially the kids.
Always got you on my rss feed. Good to hear you’re doing better. Can’t wait to hear more about your travels.
I’m going to be motherly and say “Oh honey!” It pains me to think about you being so sick. Glad you’re in a better living place and soon to come back, at least for a rest.