Keeping Busy

As February 1 has now come and gone, we have come to terms with the fact that just because Alan's contract ended January 31, does not mean we're going anywhere anytime soon. Perhaps we seem a little desperate to leave Ghana, but there is no hiding the fact that this is not a country we're enthusiastic about living in long term. We knew we were here for 2 years, and that was fine by us but now the 2 years are over and we have a 9-month old who needs parks to run or crawl around in, places to go and see, and walks to go on and this is just not the country for that. We still have no idea what the future holds for us as far as Alan's next job and whether it will include moving to another foreign country or returning home but I personally have realized that I cannot live the days out here with a mindset of preparing to leave. I have decided to embrace the fact that we are here now and must make the most of it. So for me, that means staying busy, getting involved in new projects, and meeting new people (even if I have to leave and say goodbye in 2 months time). The last few weeks have been busy busy busy as I am working on a huge benefit dinner and concert to raise money for the NGO I've been working with, Chance for Children. A very generous expat couple here have offered to host a dinner party in their yard for 150 people who will all pay to attend and hopefully buy lots of raffle tickets too! So we're busy running around town soliciting businesses to sponsor the event or donate raffle prizes and now we've got to sell tickets like crazy. It should be a fun event though. We'll have two bands, the dinner will be catered by a local French restaurant, and we've even got Miss Universe Ghana 2011 on board and she'll be the MC for the night. It is being held on February 18 so for the next week, I'm dedicated to that.

As Eli continues to develop and grow, I'm on the hunt for new toys to suit his developmental needs. We were going to hold off on purchasing anything new thinking we'd be on our way to a new country by now but since we're here indefinitely, I'm on the look out for fun toys. Good toys are hard to come by here in Accra and if you find something you like, you have to be prepared to shell out some heavy duty cash. This new car, which does play some songs, talk and lights up, went for about $50. We gasped at the price but as usual just paid the price because we have no other options. Eli does love his new little car though!



We've also been busy watching soccer because Ghana has been doing pretty well in the Africa Cup of Nations...well that is until last night when they lost in the semifinals to Zambia. Eli was rooting them on with his little soccer outfit. I went around with him all day yesterday in this outfit and got lots of smiles from people around town. The Ghanaians most exclaimed, "Ghana Boy!"



So that is what's new with us. Alan heads to the US tomorrow for 4 days to handle some legal paperwork and will pick up some luxury supplies to help us survive the last few months here. Included in his suitcase will be nuts, coffee, shampoo, and other goods. It's amazing what little things can excite you when you live in a 10th world country!