Week Eight (10/7/2010) Journal

Saturday, 9th Oct.2010, I climbed the world’s tallest brick light house, the Cape Hatteras Light house at the Cape Hateras Island of the North Carolina Outer Banks.It has a total of 257 steps and 198.5 feet tall not only was this fun but it was a time for history as we gathered to listen to a historian at the center and also at the museum.

I am very happy when Ms. Rebecca Parker, our history / global leadership instructor climbed the light house because of us; this tells you how she loves her students. The excitement did not end at the Cape Hatteras Light house; we took a ferry to Ocracoke Island it was a real moment of joy for most of us onboard as we took pictures, videos, feds birds (sea eagle) in the air with bread as they followed the boat/ship. The ferry trip remains one of the best activities enjoyed during this historic visit.

Sunday, 10^th Oct. 2010, it’s an open beach day for the seashore of the Cape Hatteras Island; we had a lot of fun at the seashore as we swum, played the frispy game, walk along the coast to see people fishing. I said to myself, I am blessed to swum Atlantic Ocean. In the evening we set a fire at shore and roasted muschmellows with chocolates and sing folks from our various countries. The fire reminds me of my days at the village in Ghana where we set this type of fires to roast peanuts and yam to eat.

Monday, 11^th Oct. 2010, the last day of our trip to the North Carolina Outer Banks was characterized by a visit to the Wright Brothers Memorial and the Lost Colony (fort Raleigh), both on Roanoke Island. At the Wright Brothers Memorial, we had a lecture about the vision of these young brothers in the 1900s which brought the discovery of flying the first ever airplane on the 17^th of December 1903. It’s really amazing to see a replica of the first airplane and its further development. We took pictures as well at their monument and the museum itself.

Monday 18^th Oct.2010, we had unexpected dinner with the DCCC foundation during their annual report meeting. It was unexpected because; the invitation came in 8 hours to time. I was very happy to be at this important meeting but then I did not like the food that was served.

Week Seven (9/30/2010) Journal

Thursday 30^th Sept. 2010, I really enjoyed the discursion we had at our Global leadership class especially during the activity session where we were divided into groups representing senators and house of representative of the U.S government to propose a bill for an amendment into the U.S constitution. It was a moment where each of us has the opportunity to think as a future global leader and make a decision and I really like this activity. It’s really a privilege for me to learn about the U.S government especially the supreme law of the country, the constitution. I am learning a lot from this class which is changing the perception I had about this country in my Ghana before my arrival in the U.S. They must be commended for keeping and respecting the constitution until this time with only few amendments.

Saturday 2^nd Oct. 2010, I went on a campus tour of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro with my mentor. We toured the whole campus buildings and finally end up in their six storey library building. My mentor happens to be alumni of the UNCG so the tour was very interactive as she explains everything to me. In the same evening, we went to watch a soccer game between UNCG Spartans and Elon University college soccer team. Both teams played creditably and at the end of the ninety minutes of action, the scores remains zero zero  however Elon finally carries the day with one goal in the 17^th minutes of the extra times.

I like both the tour and the soccer match because I learnt a lot about UNCG as a college which was formerly for only girls and soccer happens to be my favorite sport so it was a moment of joy for me.

Monday 4^th Oct. 2010, Akua and I were taken to the Dixie Classic fair in the Winston Salem by the pastor of the Thomasville church of Christ. Surprisingly goats, sheep, cows, fowls,  watermelon and so many other animals and fruit were not left out in the fair as the sheep and the goats were prepared by cutting their fur for the good looking animal contest, the cows were ready for the large milk quantity contest. Sweet potatoes were also decorated and pigs were arranged for a race in which the winner gets food. Well, I just wonder how those pigs knew they are to compete for food by running.

We participated in a lot of activities at the fair some of which includes the bumper car, roller coaster, top spin etc., etc. It was a time full of fun and memories for me because as I leave here next year I don’t know when and where exactly I would get such opportunity again.

Week Six (9/23/2010) Journal

Friday 24^th Sept. 2010, I did my first presentation on the topic “a day in the life of Ghana” at the Davie Campus of DCCC. I presented about how the people of Ghana live with emphasis on education, health, culture by using pictures and videos which makes it interesting and interactive. I was impressed as well because of the large turnout just that I don’t have much time to explain into detail about my beloved Country Ghana.Everything went successfully as planned and I am happy for everything.

Saturday 25^th Sept. 2010, Ms. Susan Scarboro took us her friend’s house in Thomasville after a boring everybody’s day Thomasville where I was surprised to see some vegetables from Ghana in her garden and ate a fruit she said it’s from Thailand. We had a great time in the herb garden since each of us were able to locate some of the crops which are the same in our various Countries but  are used differently from the way we  used them. We were all surprised to see all these crops because none of us was expecting.

Monday 27^th Sept. 2010, Akua and I were invited to make a presentation about foods in Ghana in a class of Humanity Students at DCCC Campus on the topic “exploring cultures through foods”. The  student were assigned to make research about Ghanaian foods and prepare some of them prior to the presentation, so we are supposed to judge based upon tasting their foods as to whether is exactly in Ghana. At the end of the one hour presentation made-up of videos of how most of Ghanaian dishes were prepared, we  tasted the dishes made by each student and it very interesting and surprising to know how wonderful they did even though they did not get the right ingredient for most of the dishes.

I enjoyed this presentation because it was interactive and many question were asked which makes us explained into detail procedure about our food.

Week Five (9/16/2010) Journal

Thursday, Sept. 16^th 2010 the discussion we had at the Global Leadership Class was really splendid just that there was a little problem I have about how we answer question and during discussions where we keep clashing with each other all the time. Secondly, as usual we had a dinner with the DCCC foundation at the conference center, I was honor to interact with the people present but the excitement begun early just a few minutes to the start of the dinner when I received an information from my mentor in the person of Ms. Melanie Gray Knier that the result of the CRC test I took a day earlier were out and I had Silver certificate. In fact I was overjoyed within myself that I could not even say a word than thanking her for the support and encouragement she gave me.

Friday, Sept.17^th 2010 I had a great time in my curriculum class especially during the lab work. I have been working on my own and hope my goals will definitely be met.

Saturday, Sept.18th 2010 I stayed indoor all day in my apartment and this helps me reviewed all that I have done in the week. Although I wish I could go to have some fun to keep me refreshed from the week’s activities, I am happy to use this day for my review.

Sunday, Sept.19th 2010 we had a fellowship meal after church service and excited to meet and interact with new people who are not part of the church like me.

Monday,20^th and Tuesday,21th 2010 are both wonderful in my curriculum class since I was able to complete my job sheet assigned to me for the month of September, which means that I have the rest of the month for review.

Wednesday, Sept.22nd 2010 I enjoyed the discussion we had with our project coordinator on the topic ‘Divorce’ during the American families and values series we started a fortnight ago. In fact, I don’t really like the way divorce cases are handled in Parkistan since it affect the Woman involved no matter she is right or wrong.

In all I am happy even though I was not able to meet my targeted goal for the week, I think I can measure my success with  a 85% which I believe is not too bad but hope to do better to meet my set goals for the weeks ahead.

Week Four (9/11/2010) Journal

Saturday 11th Sept. 2010 I went to a soccer game in Winston Salem for the first time in America. Although it was a ladies soccer match I enjoyed it because its my favorite game.

Sunday 12^th Sept. 2010 I ate Bar B Que in Greensboro also for the first and the interesting part is that we also went to a pet store we saw different types of birds and animals that are used as pets. Surprisingly we saw various kinds of reptiles such as snake, lizard, etc. and some fishes too. I am really excited about how the rights of these pets are been respected. Kudos to all Americans and all other people who in one way or the takes good care of these animals.

Secondly, we saw a room that was designated for dog’s haircut which is very unusual for me to see but all the same I realized I was in a different country with different cultural environment.

Tuesday 14^th 2010 we had the greatest opportunity to have a dinner with the board of directors and the president of our noble College DCCC. I felt very honored and grateful for this opportunity because not every College students will have these.

Wednesday 15^th 2010 I wrote the North Carolina Career Readiness Certification (CRC) examination on DCCC campus. I was told for the first time in DCCC, I happen to be the first international student to take that test which I am waiting anxiously for the results very soon and hoping for the best.