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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 15 Mar 2004 23:32
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Some individuals have expressed interest in my experience with my exchange program to Ghana, and for those individuals, here's an "update" since I'm not online as much anymore! 
A few of you know already that I received a scholarship based on ethnicity and country that I picked (Ghana, West Africa), which is paying for more than 2/3 of the program's cost.. So woohoo!
Anyway, just this last week I received preliminary information. A host family has just picked me (why in the world would they do that to themselves?) ! This reeeeally excited me, so much so that I've been spending less time online. Not making sense, I'm sure. Anyway, about my family:
Mother: Aganes Ahenewaa Boakye (ain't that a mouthful); she's the headmistress at the school I'm going to be attending. How neat is that?
Father: Michael (can't remember his middle name and left the piece of paper in the car); he's a nurse that owns his own business. This means that I'll get an opportunity to involve myself with some medical situations first hand (which is a reason that we think the family picked me -- I had specified my interest in the medical field); it also means that my family's rather wealthy, by Ghanaian standards. This is good, as even "wealthy" families have fluctuating electricity and don't have much/any hot water.
Children: Lucy (28), Clement (27), Aredu (25), and Edwina (21). I'm assuming that they're all girls. Lucy and Clement have moved out, and I'm unsure what their occupations are. Aredu is a nurse, Edwina is a student; both are still living at home.
They even gave me two numbers to call them... Can you imagine how much money that would cost? =P Oh well, I'd be too chicken to call, anyway!
Anyway, one last thing -- the town I was placed in is called Berekum. The map legend claims its population is somewhere between 5,000 and 20,000. I could be wrong on that part, there's not much about this town or even the country online. It's in the far west (centered between the north and south) area of Ghana, and it looks like it is only about an hour from the Cotê D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) border. From the map legend, it appears to be elevated at about 800-1800 feet. It has a forest reserve area which looks quite neat!
End of rambling, just wanted to share! *big dorky grin*
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shakeycat
Moderator
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2004 01:29
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Kate, this is wonderful! I'm sure many of us are rather envious, I know I am 
Are you sure Clement is not a male name? Would not Clementine be the female? You'll see, then.
Such an adventure!
-Tanya
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hongjun
Member
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2004 02:04
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kate,
If you after a cheap way of making phone calls check out Big Zoo it's a call around service. The Americans here in Yanan use it to call the US and it works out pretty cheap. I think that you might be able to get a good deal if you really wanted to call Ghana.
Course this means you can call me dirt cheap as well  that is if you had my phone number
Hong
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michiel
Moderator
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2004 04:07
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I know it's anything but a vacation, but do bring back pictures eventually. *l*
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deanna
Member
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2004 04:38
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Katey,
What an awesome opportunity. Best of luck, and I really think we need to keep this thread open so we can get all the updates, that is till you're off and gone. I assume with the lack of electricity/water..you'll have to adjust to life "net" less as well. Even to this day I would love to have such an opportunity. Currently a very dear girl I know is doing pretty much the same thing you are, only she's down in Papua New Guinea. I get letters on occaision and she's having a great time. I'm sure you will too. Yes as Cheil said, pictures are a must You know if you don't journal, you may want to start, I'm sure theres too many memories to leave only in your head.
Anyway, do keep us posted and do stay totally excited. On another note, Verizon has awesome international phone cards, they are cheap to buy and you'd get a few minutes at least, I'm sure to call Ghana...it might be nice just to say a quick word of "hi" no need to be too scared, these are the people you will call family eventually.
Have Fun!
~Kim
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goose
Member
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2004 16:53
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Hey Sus!
This is great news! I haven't been around much online either, and i also haven't seen much of you on msn so i couldn't get an update.. But looks like you have done it anyways! *l*
Congrats on finally finding a family to stay with while studying! I can bet you are really excited and happy this has happened.
Have fun and study, study! =P
Ciao,
Goose
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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2004 17:38
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Tanya -- Clement very well may be a male name, it's a minor debate my mother and I have held. I figured Clement was the shortened version of Clementine, but I've also heard it as a male name... So I'll have to wait until my host family writes me!
Hong -- Well, I'm thinking that I'd like to save my first words until I'm there, face to face. The phone numbers are good, anyway. Thanks for the link, I know I'll be able to use it.. Ah yes, your phone number.. Bwahaha, all a part of my section of our plan to domin--er, pick flowers.
munch -- I'm taking so many rolls of film... I'm obsessed with taking pictures and I have a beautiful camera to work with, so there will definitely be pictures. Hopefully when I get back I will already have them developed and upload a bunch (also sending extras to some people).
Kim -- Well, I would love to keep everyone updated... It's already such an experience. Actually (this is ironic), Ghana has multiple areas to connect to the internet.. Tons of cafes. I'm not sure about Berekum, as it is smaller, but it's a mere hour or two away from the second largest city (Kumasi) which has tons of cafes. In any case, I won't be severed from the 'net. I will be journaling from leaving/right before leaving until I come back home and readjust "completely". Once I'm able to, I'm going to type up the journal into an LJ so that anyone interested about my experiences can take a look! Papua New Guinea, what a lucky girl... I'm glad you're receiving letters from someone living such a neat chance. As for the Verizon calling cards -- thanks for the info! Like I said to Hong, though, I am thinking that saving my first words until I meet them face-to-face will be less (and more) awkward, I don't know. But it's great to know that they even have phoneS that work! Thanks again!
Goose -- Yeah, I've noticed you haven't! =P Thanks.
Susan
--Waiting patiently ( yeah right! ) for the letter from the host family, and more information!
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amandasp
Member
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2004 18:19
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Katelyn,
This program is all it took to get you out of our hair? *LOL*
No, we love and will miss you, because who else will I have to drive away? Do us OTF misfits proud! And remember.... when in doubt, sarcasm can turn it about! *gives you some hugs for the road*
~ Amanda ~
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hobbie
Moderator
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# Posted: 17 Mar 2004 02:19
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Katelyn!
that's really great, I'm sure you'll have a great time (it's warm there =P). Anyway, you'll be missed here
and Clement should be a male name, at least here it is.
Hobbie
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kittykat
Member
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# Posted: 17 Mar 2004 06:44
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And to think - most people go on exchange to France, Germany or Spain . Sounds like once in a lifetime thing!
KK
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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jul 2004 15:47
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Aaah! Update, update!!
I've been going to the post office EVERY day (waiting for my host family's letter) and I missed going yesterday (oh no!! ... so we went today and I had a packet from AFS. Unfortunately it wasn't the letter buuuuut!
I leave Portland (OR) on September 2nd .. arrive in Washington, D.C. (NOT New York City as it was previously to be) .. I go to orientation in Dulles, Virginia on the 2nd .. I leave Washington, D.C. at 6 PM on the 3rd and arrive in -- of all places -- FRANKFURT, Germany on the 4th at 7:40 AM!! I stay there for three hours and then I arrive in Accra, Ghana.
I am so pumped! ... *sits wide-eyed and indian style waiting for the host family letter*
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christena
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jul 2004 19:31
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*tears well up in her eyes* 
Katiekins,
I'm so happy for you to be able to experience this type of journey! The things you will see and learn, I'm sure, will be unbelievable. You deserve only the greatest things in life and this is just the first step of many that you will have. Soak up every bit of knowledge you can learn from them.and in turn , they will learn from you!
While I am going to miss you terribly, and I mean TERRIBLY!, I have comfort in knowing that you are fulfilling a dream of yours. And that makes me happy! I want you to know that I am always a pen stroke away or if you get those calling cards(hint,hint) I will be thinking and praying for you so never fear that you have been forgotten. *L* LIke we could forget you*Hugs* and I can't wait till you get those journals up.. I so want to read them!
So, In case you can't tell from my babbling..*L* I will miss you bunches but I so want you to enjoy this once in a lifetime experience! But not too much.. remember.. your going to be an ambassador for the US over there.... make us look good:P*LOL*
Oh! and don't worry.... your spot on the BiB's will still be here when you get back*g* I'm gonna feel like half of me is gone ! Oh ..I'm getting sad again so I'll just leave it where it stands.
*supermegaBIBsnugglessotightitmakesyagiggleandpassoutsoIhavetoreviveyaandhuggleagain*L**
Chrissy
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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 24 Jul 2004 20:50
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Awwww!!! *hugehugs*
I will write you (I promise) and try to call you too!! Perhaps you shall receive a complimentary giggle.
I will miss you too. Make us look good? Oh no.. Maybe I better cancel out now. 
Good, I hope I don't come back to some young 22 year-old martini-server (even if it's male) as my BiB replacement!
Don't worry, sometime soon after I come back I will invade your town and visit you! ! And anyway, you still have a grueling month and a quarter left of me.  Raahaha..
*gigglesandpassesoutandisrevivedandsupermegaBiBbearhugsyoutillyouturnblue* Don't be sad or I'll have to take a funny picture of myself with smily stickers on my face!
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sidne
Member
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# Posted: 25 Jul 2004 14:27
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Katie,
I'm absolutely psyched for you, sweetie. I'm gonna miss you like crazy, but I'm so glad you get to do this. I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time and I so expect letters I love you tons! *hugs*
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goose
Member
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# Posted: 25 Jul 2004 22:13
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Sus,
This is great to hear! I bet this must make you uber excited and pleased, and let me tell you that most if not all of us here ( including me =P ) at OTF are happy and sad at the same time!
You'll still be coming into the chats everynow and then wont you?  Or sending emails to those peeps whom you talk to often!? You have to, i don't think we'll survive if we don't see or talk to you after a while! Stay in touch, Sus! *huge hugs*
Goose
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skull_leader
Member
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2004 09:10
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Katelyn:
Sooooooo excited for you!! Enjoy it while you can, this is a golden opportunity for you, and I'm jealous as hell!! (j/k about that last)
Take care of you, and hope to run into you in the chats before you leave!
Skully
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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2004 14:03
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Sidne, you should expect letters! *hugs and holds the handcuff key*
Goose, I don't know if I'll come into the chats... Perhaps for a surprise! .. E-mails, I'll try. I am going to be limiting the time I spend on computers even though my town has an internet cafe with a fast connection that costs less than 1 USD per hour ... *hugs*
SL, I will! ... Oh come on, you have to be a liiittle jealous... You just really want to try out those cold bucket baths.. Okay, maybe not!
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goose
Member
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2004 15:36
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Well Sus, you should try and come in more often, somehow i don't think 1US Dollar for an hour would be too much *lol* ..But yeah, try, i'm sure many peeps would be happy!
Goose
PS: I expect at least one email from you, if not.. =P
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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2004 15:38
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A whole part of the experience is to change my way of life... I'm not going to try to come into the chat more than so many times, because then I'm not really cutting myself off, am I? =P But I may come in a little!
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goose
Member
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# Posted: 26 Jul 2004 15:45
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Change is good,
Friends are better.
Sus is moving,
So we'll all expect a letter!
I guess i'll be seeing you every so often then, Sus! *L*
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skull_leader
Member
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# Posted: 27 Jul 2004 14:05
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<!--QuoteBegin--katelyn+July 26 2004,14:03--></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td><b>Quote</b> (katelyn @ July 26 2004,14:03)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"><!--QuoteEBegin-->SL, I will! ... Oh come on, you have to be a liiittle jealous... You just really want to try out those cold bucket baths.. Okay, maybe not! <!--emo&;)--><img src="http://www.outpost10f.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/win.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'><!--endemo--><!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--><br>I think I'm jealous of the whole adventure, but the cold bucket baths....welllllllll....maybe not... <!--emo&:?--><img src="http://www.outpost10f.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/srp.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':?'><!--endemo--><br><br>Yeah, I guess I'm much too spoiled to appreciate that aspect. <!--emo&:D--><img src="http://www.outpost10f.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/haw.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'><!--endemo--> But I AM happy for you!! *hugggsya*
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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 20 Aug 2004 13:55
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The day of departure is coming. With only 12 days left, I am well aware that there are some of you who wish for me to write you at least once, if not multiple times, while I'm abroad. If you do, feel free to e-mail your address to me at tree_frog705@hotmail.com... I promise I will send you something before my ten months are up there...orrr we can even write back and forth. I figured that just because I'll be disconnected from this place for a long period of time doesn't mean I have to be cut off from the people. And trust me, I'm not a stalker. Ask the people who have called me or met me. =P Well, maybe you shouldn't...
With only these 12 days left, I'm finally realizing what a huge thing I'm doing with my life.
Excited? Totally.
Scared? Yeah... I'm still human, you know.
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skull_leader
Member
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# Posted: 23 Aug 2004 13:24
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Already done! And I apologize for the lousy penmanship in advance...to paraphrase a favorite movie quote of mine, I have the handwriting of a serial killer. 
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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 23 Aug 2004 19:30
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Yayy!! Thank you, SL. *hug*
*lol* Your lousy penmanship... when you get mine... just... aah..
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lima_
Member
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# Posted: 24 Aug 2004 12:19
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Congratulations Kate, I hope you have a wonderful time! *hugs* We're all gonna miss you, though, if you haven't noticed already
And I think Aredu is a male name as well, but I could be mistaken...
*hugehuggles* Keep in Touch! *pokes*
~Lima
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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 24 Aug 2004 21:53
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That'll be one of the first things I'll have to tell people... "YES, I've figured out the genders of the names!!" *lol*
Thanks, Lima. *hug*
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eagle
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2004 03:14
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Ha! I challange either of you to have worse penmanship than me. =P
Well, not really. That would be down right illegible!
And I plan to write you while you're gone. *nods* Though you'll need to send me a letter with your new address so I can. ;o)
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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2004 16:16
Reply
*cough I'mwritingdowne-mailsofpeoplewhowanttowritemeandthene-mailingthemmyaddresswhenIgettherein
amassmail cough*
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christena
Member
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# Posted: 25 Aug 2004 18:26
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Heyyyy... you got mine,right?
OOOooo.. I's gonna miss ya something terrible!!!!
*huggleshersotightshecan'tbreath,letshergoandthenclingstoherfordearlifenooooooyoucannaego*
I love ya girlie just like a sis and I do hope you have the time of your life!
Chrissy*Hugsmore*
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katelyn
Member
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# Posted: 26 Aug 2004 02:08
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Girly.. I dun have your e-mail, but I have your actual address.. (and the guard-with-my-life phone number )
I'm going to miss you a ton too... I promise to find something to bring back for you from Ghana.... at least you don't want a man (my friends are crazy).
*ishuggled'tilunbreathinganddoesn'tcare* I's soo gonna miss you Chrissy ! But just remember, I WILL meet you one day and then you'll be like "aw man, what was the big deal"!
*hugesnugglesuntilyouturnaprettyshadeofblueandthenfiguresonlettinggoforjustafew*
I love you too! I hope that things will always stay looking up for you while I'm gone, sick or not, problems or not.. always remember that they pass with time and soon you will think... what, that was nothing... that was so long ago and life has really been looking up since then, it was soo worth it! ..*HUGS*
♥ the (sizzlin' BiBs ... Just think, we're spreading crime to other parts of the world. Er.. crime removal... *adjusts halo*
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