some basics.....

the family I live with consists of ten people who are slightly related to one another. this is the ghanian way it seems,

Mommy and Daddy of the house are Auntie Grace and Challey (charelly: which means friend, not actually his name but thats what everyone calls him)

then there is Uncle Albert (creepo of the world) who is some how related to Aunty Grace but I am not really sure how. he is 34 single and has lived there for a long time. he claims to have a really important job but i mostly see him on the couch in the dark playing on the computer or watching movies. he also like to pinch people and act like he is a really important/ smart person.

Auntie Julie is the only hired and paid help in the house. she isnt related to anyone but is from the same place in ghana as the rest of the family is from: the Volta Region she sings a lot and doesnt speak english, and is unfortunately fat and thus is always called the Big One or the Fat One. poor auntie Julie. (however, it seems that fat doesnt have the same negitive connotation that it does in the US)

then there is Anna, I think she is hired but possibly not paid help. she came from Togo with a relitive of Auntie Grace and speaks little to no english, some french and Ewee/Evee however you say it. she's 21 and really funny, and thinks its crazy how long my hair is. she tells me this every day by pulling on my braids or ponytail. its kinda a pain but its also funny. I speak a little french with her and want to do so more.

Rosemon is a sweet 21 year old who came to the house only a few months ago. I think she is a cousin of someone in the house but it is unclear. She has a sister who is 17 living in Cape Coast, and she wants to start university next year to study acting and business but her dad wants her to join the army. i dont think the army would suit her at all. she is the sweetest natured stringbean of a girl.

then there is Rachel, not to be confused with the american rachel who i room with at the house (also from my program.) this rachel is 21 and basically runs the kitchen. during the day she works in the fabric shop attached to the house and in the morning and night she is the boss of auntie Julie, Anna and Rosemon in the kitchen. Also if the american rachel and i need anything from Oatmeal to hangers we ask her. (dont bother Grace with the little things!!!) she also loves to party and go out and i think 85% of her friend base is guys over the age of 25. There is a really low key bar accross the street from our house and we go there with her a lot just to chill out outside away from the family and the heat of the house. this girl has more clothes then i would know what to do with, acts 26, and is "boss lady."

Alex or Aunty/ Uncle Alex, depending on what you feel like calling him at that moment is 24. he is finished with College at Legon and is doing his social service. In Ghana as long as you do a social service your schooling is paid for by the country (or something like that) he was a geography major and as his social service he is a Teachers Assitant and department employ for the Geography department at the university. he is really nice, quiet but funny, and a die hard fan of football (soccer) and the Ghana Black Stars, the Ghana national team which just came in second in the African Cup of Nations.

then there are the little girls. they are 11 and 12 i believe and named Abigail and Stephanie (respectivly.) they go to a really intense private school, and have really cute uniforms. other than that they are normal preteen girls. they love hannah montana, and disney channel, want to eat ice cream all the time, love to dance and have crushes on the guys their age at school and church. they are endless entertainment.

and thats the fam. + me and Rachel Ehrman- Dupre from north carolina and at school at Occiedental. bio major pre med. lady!!!


loving here. more soon.