One more thing...

If you still want to donate, there is still some time left!!!! I'm taking down the PayPal on July 1st (yup next week) because the time has come for me to pay up.... If you want to donate, click the link on your right by July 1st, 2011!! ---->

Peace,
J

Oh and Happy Father's Day to my Dad!

Time is ticking...

Time is FLYING by! A few months ago, I created this blog to keep my friends and family in the loop as I prepare for my trip to Ghana, to fundraise (I'm eternally grateful to all), and to get my head together.

As much as I'm excited about going, I'm a little anxious. Of course I'm anxious about funding the trip, but I'm even more anxious about the days before departure. As you know, this will be my first time leaving the continent. Yes, that's a huge step for me. But as I spoke to my grandfather on Sunday (Father's Day), I realized I am going to be the first one in my family (that we know of) to actually go to Africa. My family has traveled the world looking for a new home, for work, and for leisure... but no one has ever gone to the continent. My grandmother worked in Russia for a while. My dad visited Germany. My mother loves Mexico. My great grandfather was born in Barbados and moved to Guyana. And almost everyone has emigrated to the United States and Canada... but Africa has remained elusive.

I'm actually really excited to share the news of my trip, to share pictures, and stories. I'm doing something that has yet to be done in my family. I don't mean to brag, but I'm a trailblazer in my own right.

Trivial List of things I need to Get before going:

• sleeping aid for the plane ride
• Gilmore Girls Season 3 and 4
• New digital camera
• More books for my kindle
• 2 pairs of converses

Important list:

• Visa
• Shots/Check-Up
• MONEY
• Hugs from my fam!

Ghana... Guyana... I guess it's the same

A few years ago I was in Ithaca, NY at a local gemologist store. I was having a heated discussion with my then- significant other. When I mean heated, I actually mean ridiculous. He and I used to go back and forth about who's heritage is cooler- Jamaicans (his) or Guyanese (mine). That conversation was years old and was just one of the things we joked about when bored. No complaints about Ithaca but we were bored.

The gemologist overheard us and decided to join in. My then-S/O asked him, "what valuable gems can one find in Guyana?" The gemologist smiled at him and said, "I think you mean Ghhhaaaaa-na (with emphasis)." S/O and I looked at him... looked at each other. S/O laughs at me while I explain Guyana is small country in South America with a rich gold supply whereas Ghana is a country in West Africa. The gemologist admitted his failings and backed away.

Recently, I told someone I was going to Ghana and was super geeked. Do you know what they said to me? "Isn't your family FROM Ghana? Whatchu need to go back for?" To that I laughed out loud. A guffaw... My family is from Guyana... South America, y'all!

THIS HAPPENS TO ME ALL THE TIME. I imagine it will only intensify after I've actually been to Ghana and not Guyana.

I plan to go to Guyana in Dec 2012 (better late than never) (and hopefully before the 12/21.. i kid!)

Again, thanks for all of your help. I'm over $400 towards the ultimate goal. Send to friends. Send to family.

Send me to Ghana!