Monday, November 22, 2010
Putting it all into perspective
I haven't posted anything for a while, because anytime I felt like blogging...it was going to be some kind of a rant.
I'm trying hard to be more positive.
Everyone I know seems to be dealing well with the challenges of moving back and adjusting to life here and dagnagitt I'm going to get the hang of it, one way or another.
Right now, I'm dealing with getting back money I paid to a landlord in February for 2 years in advance. It's a long story, but in essence I didn't get the apartment and I'm having a hard time getting my money back. Now it looks like it might go to court, which will surely be another long process.
There's always a good side to every situation, some of my friends tell me. I'm sure there is, but I can't see it right now. All I know is this situation has had a ripple effect on several things in my life. I am adjusting to staying with my parents for this long after a decade and a half of living on my own....and that has been a challenge. I have been transformed into this teenager instead of the 30 something year old that I am. I can play that role...but for a short while. The wheres and the whats and the whys are becoming a bit much. But I breathe and smile. No situation is permanent. I am grateful for the time we are spending together as imperfect as it is.
I am trying to be more positive.
Then there are the numerous visits to Vodafone to get my internet (which I currently rely on for work) fixed over and over again, the hours spent on hold and on the phone with their tech support (who I must add are quite pleasant despite not being very efficient), the power cuts in the middle of a conference call with my boss, which has affected my work prospects, the several power cuts during the day or 'half power' where there's is power but not enough to do jack with, that have damaged stabilizers and equipment, and with nobody to hold to task for....the promises and failures of colleagues to live up their word. I don't understand why people make promises they have no intention of keeping. I'd rather hear the bitter truth...Like "I can't repair this piece of equipment like I thought I could, so come and collect it and find someone else who can" instead of not picking up my calls, turning of your phone or lying to me for 2 months!
I have so much more to rant about, but I won't.
This is me trying to be more positive.
I appreciate the nice taxi driver, who stopped to help me change a flat tire at 3am and didn't ask for anything in return, the guy at Vodafone who gave up his chair for me in the queue, the incredible sunsets we get sometimes.
Sometimes that's all it takes to make my day.
I'm trying hard to be more positive.
Everyone I know seems to be dealing well with the challenges of moving back and adjusting to life here and dagnagitt I'm going to get the hang of it, one way or another.
Right now, I'm dealing with getting back money I paid to a landlord in February for 2 years in advance. It's a long story, but in essence I didn't get the apartment and I'm having a hard time getting my money back. Now it looks like it might go to court, which will surely be another long process.
There's always a good side to every situation, some of my friends tell me. I'm sure there is, but I can't see it right now. All I know is this situation has had a ripple effect on several things in my life. I am adjusting to staying with my parents for this long after a decade and a half of living on my own....and that has been a challenge. I have been transformed into this teenager instead of the 30 something year old that I am. I can play that role...but for a short while. The wheres and the whats and the whys are becoming a bit much. But I breathe and smile. No situation is permanent. I am grateful for the time we are spending together as imperfect as it is.
I am trying to be more positive.
Then there are the numerous visits to Vodafone to get my internet (which I currently rely on for work) fixed over and over again, the hours spent on hold and on the phone with their tech support (who I must add are quite pleasant despite not being very efficient), the power cuts in the middle of a conference call with my boss, which has affected my work prospects, the several power cuts during the day or 'half power' where there's is power but not enough to do jack with, that have damaged stabilizers and equipment, and with nobody to hold to task for....the promises and failures of colleagues to live up their word. I don't understand why people make promises they have no intention of keeping. I'd rather hear the bitter truth...Like "I can't repair this piece of equipment like I thought I could, so come and collect it and find someone else who can" instead of not picking up my calls, turning of your phone or lying to me for 2 months!
I have so much more to rant about, but I won't.
This is me trying to be more positive.
I appreciate the nice taxi driver, who stopped to help me change a flat tire at 3am and didn't ask for anything in return, the guy at Vodafone who gave up his chair for me in the queue, the incredible sunsets we get sometimes.
Sometimes that's all it takes to make my day.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Back in the GH
So, after returning to Vancouver to work a little and taking a 3 week vacation in Europe, I am back in Ghana.
I felt so refreshed and rested after not doing anything related to work for the most part for these 3 weeks...until I arrived at the airport in Ghana.
From having to physically fight people off my luggage at the airport, and screaming at conmen, to disappointments from a landlord who failed on his promises to make several renovations to my apartment here, while I was gone, to being on hold for 2 hours with Vodafone trying to get my internet reactivated so I can get back to work to no avail, to the crazy traffic and the crazy people in them, I am already feeling exhausted and stressed out and it's only been 3 days since my return. I think I shouldn't take a break from Ghana for a while, so I either get tougher or immuned to the daily frustrations.
I wish I knew the secret to living a happy and stress free life here. I have kinda figured out how to do this with life in general, but somehow there's something else needed to make this work in Ghana. I hate to whine about life here, but it's frustrating because I do love Ghana...probably in a way I'd love an abusive parent, nevertheless I want to see the good in it and just focus on that and not let the not so great parts affect me too much. I really do.
I felt so refreshed and rested after not doing anything related to work for the most part for these 3 weeks...until I arrived at the airport in Ghana.
From having to physically fight people off my luggage at the airport, and screaming at conmen, to disappointments from a landlord who failed on his promises to make several renovations to my apartment here, while I was gone, to being on hold for 2 hours with Vodafone trying to get my internet reactivated so I can get back to work to no avail, to the crazy traffic and the crazy people in them, I am already feeling exhausted and stressed out and it's only been 3 days since my return. I think I shouldn't take a break from Ghana for a while, so I either get tougher or immuned to the daily frustrations.
I wish I knew the secret to living a happy and stress free life here. I have kinda figured out how to do this with life in general, but somehow there's something else needed to make this work in Ghana. I hate to whine about life here, but it's frustrating because I do love Ghana...probably in a way I'd love an abusive parent, nevertheless I want to see the good in it and just focus on that and not let the not so great parts affect me too much. I really do.
Europe trip
Switzerland
Cable car ride in Vitznau
Zurich - Soccer fans watching the finals of the World Cup at the "Cubar"
Croatia
Mariusc proposes to Joanna about 70 feet under the water
Open water diving with Wishek
With Szymon
On the way to Hvar, Croatia
Hvar, Croatia
Trying to get salt water out of my head after a dive
On the 12 hour drive back to Poland from CroatiaPoland
Goofing around with SzymonTuesday, March 2, 2010
Back in B.C.
It feels great to be back in B.C. It really feels good to take a break from the assault on my senses. I'm sure I'll be missing Ghana in a few weeks, but for now I'm relishing the peace and quiet.
Was welcomed with some fresh home baked bread
Got off the plane at Vancouver international airport with 2 Russian girls, who had obviously come to support their teams because they were in the Russian Olympic team jackets. And the first thing we see past immigration are people gathered around the TV's in the middle of the carousels watching Canada thrashing Russia in hockey. I felt bad for the girls. They looked quite forlorn.
Ventured downtown to experience some of the olympic festivities
Zipline - Downtown Vancouver. Passed on the 7 hour line up just to zip across one block.
The line up for the hockey finals between Canada and the U.S.
Canadian and U.S. hockey fans shouting at each other (in good fun)
Watching the hockey finals with friends.
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