People do it all the time- Observations of Ghana

I spy with my Little Eye
Am sat in an Internet cafe in Koforidua, Ghana and all I can do is thank my lucky stars. This is the second African country I have visited, and- for the second time- I feel right at home. I walked about fifteen minutes from the where I'm staying to get here. Sand and dust fill my sandals and my fellow travellers Akuoswa, Eve and I have had to step over a few open sewages, but for me, I just love it and I know they do too. Right now they are on the Internet doing their thing and I am sat here beside an open door to my right. A large fan on the ceiling above me spins the aroma of 5pm and heat, but the open door lets in a breeze that sends shivers down my spine.  Just outside a bike is propped up against a black and red column. I can only see the front wheel and the front of a well worn silver frame with a black wire basket sitting near the front handlebars. Old cars are honking through the road. Golfs, Nissans; old models that back in England would be considered outdated. They whizz or crawl past this spot tooting every couple of seconds to warn pedestrians, and bikers who, in my mind, are just brave. They toot to warns the animals- dogs and goats  who all seem to understand the nuances of this busy road. It's alive. Not quite heaving, but vibrant.

what, no easter salary?

April is my favourite month. Since my body clock is tuned into the academic year, April marks being settled, being established into what one is doing. Not only that but the sun tends to sneak out at this time of year with whispered promises that have people like me thinking about spending the afternoon dozing with a good book in the park.

But for the first time in over ten years I am not getting paid during the holidays. This takes some adjusting to and some skill at stretching the old penny. I have spent the last ten years almost gloating about being in bed for two weeks at 10am knowing that I am still getting paid. And it really was great.                      But this year it's different. This time round I am busy working on my plans for world domination- no I lie- just my plans to get more of my courses out there so I am indeed comfortable during these holidays that now seem to happen all too quickly.

17th march 1983

Dear Diary,
It's been nearly a week since I last wrote- but never mind! Sheba our puppy (we changed it's name cos it's a girl) may have to go away.I don't want it to as it's really sweet. Jenny Morgan's gonna ask her dad if she can have it. I hope he says 'yes' then I can go and see it. By the way Jenny's had her hair cut. It looks OK. It makes her look older!
I simply must mention- There's a person I can't stand. Kiki! She is always looking at me in maths!
Sarah's been away lately. She won't be back till next week. Oh.
For Art we have Ms Donaldson now instead of Mr Sampson. She's quite nice.

The Audacity of Youth

Everyone knows how fond I am of the students I teach. I still maintain contact with students I taught many moons ago and I still enjoy them calling me, telling me about their progress:
"I'm working now Miss".
"I'm engaged Miss".
"I've got my own place now Miss."
"I got into Uni Miss"(That's one of my favourites!)
They tell me as they know the encouragement will still be forthcoming although they have long left my care.
Also, I live in the same area that my old college is in so it is nothing unusual to bump into any one of them, so I wasn't at all surprised that once again I bump into-let's call him Adrian. I taught 'Adrain' in 2001 or thereabouts.

my ORIGIN

Yesterday evening I took my son to a group called ORIGIN; A Rites of Passage Program for young men of African decent. We waded through the rush hour traffic on train and tube and at 6.50 we entered a building right at the end of Willington Road. He didn't want to go, my son. He would rather spend his evenings moving from kitchen to lounge to kitchen to bedroom. From Ps3 to msn to PS bleeding 3. But as his mother, of course, I know what's best. Plus, his older brother done the program years ago and it benefited him so immensely I cannot say. The program was available to us at a time when he was at an emotional low, and needed strong male role models and the cushion of love and support that the program mentors provide.

the video

My good friend's daughter just recently had a baby girl. Gorgeous little thing she is- both of them actually; Sweet smelling, petit and soft. We were invited to watch a video of the baby's birth as we'd heard she was a real trooper, so now we had the chance to see for ourselves.
       "But so soon Teesh?" I inquired. "Aren't you still on fire?" I know I was squeezing, squashing and folding my legs tight  for at least a month after my last big headed baby was born. I couldn't imagine watching what I went through, much less watching it three days later!!

14th January 1983

I found an old diary of mine!! Here's an entry from twenty seven years ago!!

Dear Diary,
It's been a long time since I've written in here. Not that the days have been boring, not at all. I just didn't find the time. Anyway, the week has been alright. On Thursday MM and the World Famous Supreme Team were on Top Of The Pops! It was the best song.
On Sunday church was alright. We went back extra early. I was sick in the van.
On Monday I went back to school. Denise has got the wet look and P**'s done something wierd to her hair. It looks wierd.
I haven't been waking up early tho. I have to try harder.
Oh yea, they're still on about the boots business. "Take em off when you get in school and all that jazz". We can't do anything in school.