Daixy's Blogg

Moving Now...

2011-12-25T08:13:00.000Z

So other bloggers are writing christmas posts and wishing their readers a Merry Christmas. I've got something even better. Daixy's Blogg is moving! For a while now, I've been disenchanted with the address for the blog (and my email address) and I've been working at making a switch to something a bit more, well, me. So I'm moving on over to a new blogger address while I work on other stuff.

I have to apologise for the silence this year though. My posts have been really sporadic. All that is going to change in the new year. I'm working on a new piece that should come up tomorrow if it doesn't fall to pieces (shh...it's a surprise) but right now, I'm off to start the Christmas Meal for my family. Maybe I'll even have pictures for you.

So, please move on over to http://daixy233.blogspot.com/ if you've not given up on me, and don't forget to subscribe to the RSS and follow me on there. This is still a work in progress so please bear with me as I sort out the kinks.

Here's wishing you all a Marvelous Christmas and a most Blessed New Year.

~Daixy~

Amor

2011-11-19T16:38:00.001Z

Image Source

What I love about you
I can't quite explain
There's a thrill that runs through me
at the mention of your name
A tremble in my belly
And a shiver down my spine,
It's the whisper of your voice;
Asking to be mine

It's the tickle of your fingers,

As they tangle in my hair
The trail of tender kisses,
that leave me gasping for air

It's that welcome intoxication

Brought on by the smell of you;
Of earth and pine, and good old hard work;
An essence that has become, unmistakably, you.

It's the way you look at me;
Hungry
Thirsty
Longing for more.
In your eyes I see a promise;
To love, to cherish
Protect and adore

You truly make me wonder
What else love has in store
And I cannot wait to discover
It all with you, amor.

~Daixy~

*You know who you are*

Most Troublesome Network......

2011-09-22T08:54:00.000+01:00

There's a turf war currently ongoing in the country and unlike in most others, this isn't about drugs or prostitution. It's a TELECOM war, my dears and some generals are taking the piss in their desperate bid to claim customers and eat into our meagre salaries.

Last Thursday, I was sitting in my office when this number (054-430-2037) called me. A lady by the name of Patricia informed me that she was calling from MTN, thanked me for my patience in advance (if only she'd known I was having a bad day and in a foul mood) and then went on to list the benefits of porting to MTN. I have to be honest, I do not recall the supposed benefits but Samuel Dowuna sums things up nicely here.

I've got to say I was surprised. I'm an Airtel customer; have been from the very second they landed on our shores and I'm very happy with their service. I did not get why or how MTN had the brass bits to call me on my cellphone and ask me to port to their network. I told Patricia I wasn't interested and that I wasn't impressed by this aggressive advertising. She thanked me and we said our goodbyes.

After reading the daily graphic however, I figured out why they were doing this and had a real good laugh. MyJoyOnline posted the article the next day "MTN, tiGO lose market share". Out of curiosity I called Patricia back. She insisted that yes, she was an MTN employee and could be located at the head office. Yes, I should come over there and ask for her, I can confirm that she does indeed work there. She informed me that she has been provided with a list of Airtel numbers and has been tasked with dialling them up and informing them of the benefits of switching to MTN.

According to Patricia, all the Telcos are using this aggressive method to get people to switch to their services. MTN has simply decided to lay back and relax so while the others are putting up posters and making noise to the general public, they target individuals. "Oh you don't have to come to our office", she says, "we'll meet you anywhere you want and do it for you".

Seriously? Provided that Patricia isn't playing some silly game with a supposedly endless supply of credits her cocaine dealer sugar daddy has provided her, MTN in my opinion has gone too far. Invading on an individual's privacy to advertise your services is not right. In their minds, they think it's tele marketing and legal and therefore right. But I disagree with them. When I was in Memphis and had people calling my house, it wasn't that they'd identified me as a member of the competition and wanted me to switch services, it was simply them calling and asking me if I used a particular service say, "water" and what did I think about water? Would I then be interested in trying out "milk"? No one ever called my house saying, "I know you're a coke sniffer but let me tell you that crack is better and you should switch to that".

I really feel that MTN has gone too far with this campaign of theirs. Airtel isn't calling up MTN subscribers on their cellphones and asking them to port. I can't vouch for tiGO and Vodafone as I do not use their services. I think it's a low down dirty game they're playing and have to say this clearly. MTN GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!!!! I see now why you've not been spending money to advertise porting to your network.

There's a reason why they're called the "Most Troublesome Network" and they've just gone and proved it once more. Is this the same MTN that said they were committed to Mobile number portability and wouldn't make trouble? I get it, you dropped a couple of points on the market and want to redeem yourselves. Someone on top said "fix this" and someone went overboard and gave the order to hit 'em where the sun don't shine but I can't excuse this sort of behaviour. It's not ethical!!! It may be legal but it's most unethical! It's time MTN played this game right. God protect them if Glo should get their shit together. If MTN cannot face healthy competition from Airtel, how are they going to handle Glo, which has already cleared them out of one or two West African countries? MTN has already received a warning for their ambush advertising. I figured they'd learn from that.

I've reported this incident to Airtel (given them the name and number) and this is my two cents thrown into the fray. I think that it's only fair that they know what their competition is doing. I also think that it's time that the NCA checked what these TELCOS are up to. Never mind that it's legal, I haven't had to deal with telemarketers in Ghana and am damn happy for that. I insist that we keep things that way.

Have you had any telco call you up and ask you to switch from your network to theirs? Please let me know. Just drop a comment down below. I especially want to know from other networks if Airtel is lying to me. If MTN or any other network has pulled this stunt on you, let me know. As always, there's two sides to a coin. I'd like to know what's happening on the other team.

~Daixy~

The Adventures of Ginger Rayne Maxen.......

2011-09-18T12:34:00.000+01:00

Naught Ginger stole some fish
Silly Ginger got his dish
Dessert was best served with a bone in his teeth
That he couldn't dislodge with his hands nor his feet

So Mama Daixy called the vet
Together they chased down the frightened pet
Fished the bone out from mouth agape
Finally let him make his escape

Now Ginger lies curled up on mama's bed
Quite the adventure he has led
Perhaps now he will learn his lesson
And stop stealing meat from out the kitchen!!!

~Daixy

LOL. I wrote this one crazy evening when I got called in from work to help with a kitty emergency. Somehow, despite my insistence that I didn't want any more pets, the cats in the house (dogs too) have become my responsibility. And I have to say that my little Ginger can be quite the handful. From peeing on my bed (and me) on his first day, to stealing chicken from my dad's dinner, the little bugger has now taken to mewling outside my window at 5am (on the dot!)

I know the poem is cheesy but I couldn't resist making fun of him. Oh and the picture is of him as a kitten, tucked up in his basket. He still pulls such contortionist positions when he sleeps ;)

Pray Tell.....

2011-07-05T00:40:00.002+01:00

Christina Nana Araba Asamoah

.......Why does death doll out
          Sorrow
            Pain
               Abject Misery?

Is it lunacy to want to shout;
         No!
           Remain!
             Stay with me!?

I would that he'd not knocked on our door
Touched your flesh with his icy digits
And snatched you from us

I'm afflicted with
Seeming streams of salty tears
Threatening to reduce me to a
Pathetic Puddle;
A pitiful mess.

You are gone way too soon
And I truly begin to wonder
Why death dolls out, such;
         Sorrow
           Pain
             Misery
Torment of never seeing you again.

~Daixy~

Some say we should have seen it coming. After two strokes, why should we have expected her to survive? But you see, those who say that didn't see her the last time I did, before she left for her home. She'd stepped out of our guest room dressed to the nines in a gorgeous kaba and slit. It wasn't really the outfit or her neatly pulled back hair that struck me that day though. It was the smirk she wore when she walked out the room and the confident stride she took up. She looked ready to face the world...ready to fight.

I wish I'd taken a picture...

Silky Smooth & Sexy......

2011-06-26T01:35:00.001+01:00

My mop broke. That's my excuse for being at shoprite at 8:30pm on a saturday evening. If you've met me, you'll know that I dislike the mall with a passion and try to avoid it as much as possible. Sadly, it's the one place I will visit when I need something like a self-squeezing mop or foreign foodstuffs I won't find at my local market.

So yeah, my mop broke and I chose to go get a new one on account of I needed to finish cleaning my room. Now, I'm gonna quit yapping about mops before I end up gushing about this new one, with it's twist to squeeze feature and easy grip.

Something shocked me as I walked bast the bath products aisle!

See, there was a section with razors. I love razors and shaving cream. So I decided to check if they had Venus razors. You know, the line that's made specifically for women? I've run out and been looking for months for venus sticks in every pharmacy or store I visit. I figured, "Oh the mall should have them". Oh poor naive me.

No Venus sticks! Everything From Bic to Gillette but no Venus?

I think it was the frustration of the endless searches and the fact that I'd gotten my hopes up that made me blurt out to my male companion "Why don't they have venus razors? Don't Ghanaian women shave?!" My voice was a bit too loud (usually I can be heard from accross a room lol) and I could hear the couple behind me laugh out loud. My friend said, "No they don't. Haven't you seen the hairy legs and the beards that could rival mine?"

Come to think of it, ghanaian women don't seem to like to shave their legs. Or faces, or their bikini area. I once had a roommate (in college) laugh at me when I complained that I couldn't find my favourite Gillette women's shaving cream on the market. She laughed even harder when I switched to NAIR and asked me why I bothered.

Well I think women should live by the Triple S Principle. Yes they should have SSS= Skin So Soft. And that oh so soft skin should also be SSS= Silky-Smooth and Sexy. Nothing irks me more than seeing a woman in a short skirt and beautiful legs that are suffocating underneath a heavy layer of hair, and yet my fellow ghanaian women are reluctant to grab a razor, so much so that a whole shoprite will not bother stocking a special line of razors for women. You've never had a perfect shave until you've tried a Venus razor, in my opinion. Their special bikini area trimmer is a wonderful addition to a woman's bathroom routine and their soothing solution for razor bumps is marvelous!

I saw a woman once in town and she was sporting a hairy face. For a while, I thought she was a man until i noticed the dress. Even the men shave their beards.....why can't we get rid of ours when our bodies decide to produce too much testosterone? Oh and that one time at the beach where this girl showed up in a bikini but had forgotten to trim her bikini area? Like seriously? And you see it all the time. Pretty women who work at the bank, wearing their short tight little numbers with orangutan legs to match....

I have lots of questions.

First is, do ghanaian women truly object to shaving/waxing/trimming legs and other areas?

2. If you do remove/manage hair, what products do you use?
3. Why do you choose to shave (or otherwise) ?
4. If your local store stopped shipping whatever product you use for hair removal, would you demand that they restock?

5. Ghanaian guys, what do you think about women who shave/wax their legs?

6. And what of women who don't? Would you be cool hanging out with a woman whose legs were much more hairy than yours?

Let's hear from you, people. I want to know what the deal is with this.

I've Missed this space. Hopefully work will afford me some time to revisit. Thanks to those who still check out this space. God Bless,

~Daixy~

Mob Mentality: It Can Lead to Fail

2011-04-02T11:36:00.007+01:00

Time: 3am

Date: 31st March, 2011

Location: Mensah Sarbah Hall Annex B, University of Ghana

Event: Apprehend a female thief and show her what's what.

Thursday had me busy at work. I ignored the internet and there's no radio in my office so I missed the debates. The evening saw me having the time of my life at the Labadi Beach Hotel with my family and I got home too late to bother with anything running the gossip rounds. Fast forward to Friday, April first and my shock at reading a tweet by Nii Ayertey about Amina and how she could have been his sister. I thought, "what's going on now?" and followed the link to this CitiFm story. And then I prayed it was some sick April Fool's Joke.

At about 3am on March 31st, some male students of Mensah Sarbah Hall of the University of Ghana through whatever means, decided "to catch a thief". Unfortunately, there is NO correlation between these kids and the characters in the movie/book. No one is quite sure how they caught this girl or how they got a confession out of her. We do know though that instead of handing her over to the police, they chose to beat her up. The girl in the video clearly has a black eye and unless she did that to herself trying to escape (silly excuse really) I call these boys women beaters. I do not condone mob action and always insist on turning over suspects to the police and for good reason. You never quite know who the mob has apprehended, and you sure as heck don't have anyone in a mob listening to reason.

I do not know at what point in time the boys chose to strip her naked. Parading her in the Hall, they did more than that. They tore her clothes off of her, exposing her bra and panties. Even those were not spared however, despite her pleas for mercy. Bottom line, they exposed her nether regions and proceeded to taunt her, while taking photos of her private parts and even going as far as to insert their fingers into her vajayjay.

University authorities are looking into this matter but I do not have any confidence in my Alma Mater. For years, students have been parading alleged thieves naked through the streets of campus (from Commonwealth Hall to the Main gate) in order to pond them. And the university has always turned a blind eye to the happenings on. Debates yesterday on facebook had people comparing what happened to this girl to the pondings that were delivered to the boys who stole in the past. Well let me say this, when you stole from Commonwealth or any Hall in the past, you had a choice. Either you went to the shrine at La or were handed over to University Authorities or you had an option of being marched naked through the streets of campus with the culmination of a "decent" bath in the filthy pond at the main gate.

Amina was not given any of those choices. These boys tore, (shredded, call it what you will ) her clothes from her body and then did something that has never before been done, even by those troublesome Vandals. They crossed that fine line that exists in mob mentality where the role of criminal and victim are turned around. See, once Amina was down on the floor clutching her tattered bra to her chest and begging the boys not to go any farther, she ceased to be a thief in my eyes. She became a sexual assault victim, pleading with her attackers to have mercy on her. She became a woman begging a gang of men not to violate her person.

I don't know how many of you have ever been in such a situation before (I certainly hope you haven't) but I doubt there is anything more damaging than having a gang of men or women (or even a single person) out to sexually molest you and you laying in a defenseless heap with nothing but your tears to protect you.

I'm still trying to reconcile what they did and simply cannot find a single rhyme or reason. Who in their right mind captures a thief in their home and then decides "Let's see what they look like under those clothes". Who in their right mind chooses to get their Johnses off when they find a burglar in their home. "Oh thanks for comming to rob me. I'd like to have the sex now" I do not think that I have ever been more ashamed to have been a student of the University of Ghana and I am glad now that I did not follow my father's footsteps and join Sarbah Hall. He's certainly upset about it.

I'm against sexual abuse of any person (be they male or female, child or adult) or animal and can only describe what I feel right now as empathy. I wept when I saw the video (couldn't finish watching it) and wish now that I hadn't been linked to it. If I cannot condone lynching a person for some crime, then how on earth can I condone sexually abusing them? I keep thinking what if this had been a case of mistaken identity? Just imagine for a second, for those of you who want to justify what happened to her, that these kids had made a mistake. What if they'd grabbed the wrong person and abused them in such a manner? What if your sister had been the one they'd grabbed in their frenzy? It shames me to have people I respect and admire tell me she deserved what she got and that this time she'll learn her lesson. It shames me to hear people I expect to do something ask me if I knew this girl and demand to know "why are you being so emotional about this?"

No one cares!!! A clear case of human rights violation and no one cares!!! Someone had the guts to say on facebook that if it had been a man, we wouldn't be making so much noise about it. He said to "get it right. It's human rights not women's rights" and I set him straight. We've been complaining for years about mob action. Been speaking out forever about the marches to the uni pond. Clearly that was championing human rights and that was when it was even only men being abused. I have never heard of a case when a male thief was being paraded naked in the streets and the girls went over to stroke his manhood. It's plain disgusting to think of if you ask me.

The reason this person seems to think the world champions women's rights is simply this. Women and Children have always been weaker and therefore more defenceless. Of course when you hear stories about human rights violation, they're going to be about women being raped or molested and children being treated the same or worse. And men, when they are abused, shut up about it. Show me one case where a man was abused sexually and people threw a party for his attackers.

This guy made a case of "women rape men and women beat men". PLEASE!!! It's anatomically IMPOSSIBLE for a woman to rape a man unless she chooses to sodomise him and if you showed me such a case, I'd be first to condemn it. If it had been girls fingering Amina, I would still be talking about it. If it had been boys sodomising a man or woman, I would be talking about it. If it had been boys groping a male thief, I'd STILL be talking about it. SEXUAL ABUSE is wrong and any person that seeks to justify and rationalise it away and promotes it is a big fat filthy IDIOT and should experience it for themself.

I want to see Amina fight for her justice now. The state can do whatever they want concerning the theft but now the state HAS to round up the students responsible and deal with them. Amina deserves justice. She has become one of the many victims of sexual abuse and if it's one thing that I know, Victims Never Forget. She didn't ask for it. This is not her fault and instead of men and women applauding these depraved students for their actions, I would like for there to be a united voice, calling for Justice, calling for heads to roll. The university needs to be strict when they apprehend these students and the State should be well prepared to fight this to the end.

I also hope that we will find a way to talk to our students. We need to get it into people's thick skulls, right from childhood, that sex is not a tool for punishment.

Another thing that worried me was the way in which the video went viral. I know some people meant well and wanted the world to see the depravity of man but did anyone think for a second that it would be adding more insult to this girl's injury? I sat down to think and I wondered, would I be okay with it, if my rape was taped and spread over the internet? Would you be fine if your friend, sibling, mother was attacked and the video making its rounds to every cellphone and computer, not only in your country but going as far as to hit the internet, where the entire world can see? So I asked the person who uploaded the video to delete it. Did he? When I checked at 3pm yesterday, he hadn't done that. Now, his facebook profile has been deleted. Thank God for facebook crawler bots and the report violation button :)

No matter how you look at it, there is no "justice" in what was done to Amina. This is a human being (forget her crime) who was sexually abused by a gang and she's never going to get over it. I insist that we do not simply sweep this under a rug. I'll keep talking about it and demand that we hear something tangible from the Ghanaian government and the University authorities. I demand that something be done to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. You can be sure that I'll be writing more about this, that I'll continue to make a nuisance of myself until someone in authority says something. And it had better not be along the lines of "It is not nice and especially when it involves students who are supposed to know better..." and then nothing is done. We have a judiciary and laws have been put in place to handle these things. Now I want to see these laws and their enforcers DO THEIR DAMN JOB!!

My heart goes out to Amina. No matter what her crime was, she definitely did not deserve such a punishment and I pray that true justice is served.

~Daixy~

Rain Rain Go Away.....

2011-02-23T00:26:00.001Z

Image via Wikipedia

Thunder Scares me

Lightning too

All I want to be

Is curled up beside you

~Daixy~

Waking up to the roar of thunder and flash of lightning, I'm suddenly reminded of the scene from "The Sound of Music" where Maria sings and dances with the children about "My Favourite things" and not feeling "So Bad". Well, Maria was a nun. What works for me on rainy days is a special someone to curl up next to, preferably under a warm blanket on the couch with a good black and white movie running on the telly. I don't care what Maria says, Lil' Miz Daixy insists "Nothing beats having someone warm to hold you when it's raining cats and dogs.' and "besides, my curtains need a wash and aren't so good for rubbing my face in". Cary Grant in "Arsenic and Old Lace" does it for me every time.

Being alone on this cold dreary night and wanting something to distract me, I've chosen to make myself hungry by watching video tutorials on the art of sushi. It sure beats staring at the lightning flashing at my window and jumping every time the thunder rolls.

It's been a while since I played with food and now I must find myself a bamboo mat and wasabi, and someone to take me on a date to a good sushi restaurant ;)

Once I'm done rummaging through the fridge, I'm gonna find me a good book; another thing Maria didn't consider (music freak) lol.

What do you do on stormy nights? Love or hate them? And if you like old movies, what are your favourites?

Relish

2011-02-14T11:50:00.001Z

Image via Wikipedia

Stolen Kisses

Beneath a moonlit gaze

Tender Caresses

Effecting a stuporous daze

Heated words

Carelessly whispered in an ear

Of passion and promised love

A body’d desire to hear

Secret Letters

That bare the soul

Gifts; of food and trinkets

Intended to show

What’s written in bold

Across the heart

“I love you”

And

“I’ll never depart”

Ah, The Lovers’ delight

In Wanton Abandon

Setting hearts afire

Since Time’s creation

And always the poet

Agent of articulation,

Stands ready to fan the flames

With generous Application

Of vivid colours and sounds

Tastes and Textures

Intoxicating aromas that abound

It’s no wonder man submits

Without much restraint

To Sweet Temptation

Like the canvas to the paint

Depicting a perfect picture

Of Love’s unconstraint

~Daixy~

Just cuz I hate this day don't mean I should be a spoilsport for the rest of you :)

Corrupt Conductors Conniving to Cheat!...

2011-01-21T04:56:00.002Z

Image by acameronhuff via Flickr

So last weekend, Obed Sarpong of "Ready to Chew" gave me a copy of Ayi Kwei Armah's "The Beautiful Ones are not yet Born. In the beginning chapter, a corrupt conductor confesses, albeit subconsciously to cheating his passengers. I was successfully grossed out in that chapter (and the following one), especially by the actions of the equally disgusting driver against "The Man", whose sole crime is falling asleep in the bus.

Today's post isn't about the book, however. I haven't finished it yet. Multiple tasks at work and elsewhere have had me so busy that chapter three is as far as I've made it. I'm not going to rant about how horrible it is, for me not to wrap it up, especially as I'd usually be done in less than two hours but I will say that I will finish it before the next week begins (I need some me time).

It's really sad that corruption still runs rampant in Ghana today. Things have changed since Independence and yet people still find it necessary to lie and cheat their way out of their so called poverty. Disabled persons who have been trained by the "Ghana Federation for the Disabled" refuse to practice their crafts and prefer to litter the streets. One cured leper (at least I hope she's cured) hangs about the National Theatre, thumping her stump (for want of a better word. it's 4am and I can't think) against private car and taxi windows to demand money. Not only does she bang incessantly on the glass, but she hurls insults and curses at you when you refuse to hand over money. SMH.

A seemingly blind man approaches my car and even without my uttering a word greets me with "My daughter, good morning." Eii! With my windows rolled up, how did you know I was a woman? And a daughter at that! I sincerely doubt that he was able to smell my perfume. How sad does one have to be to pretend to be blind? Before someone jumps on my neck, I'll say this now. There was no one standing next to him. This was on the flag staff road and he was all alone. My perfume must have been really strong for it to permeate glass, plastic and metal. Or he's the ghanaian version of the daredevil. You take your pick.

Even when the avenues are created for the less fortunate to make a little something of themselves, it seems the need to stick it to the man overwhelms the desire to fend for oneself. It saddens me every time I recall a friend's story about how her father offered a Chadian woman a job so she could take her children off the street. Would you believe the woman run her finger on her skin then on his and asked if he was right in the head? That "how can I come and work for you, a slave?" And yet she was okay with standing by the road with her kids and begging that slave for money.

What is this country and the world for that matter heading for? There are people willing to help, and yet someone sits somewhere and decides that they are above a type of work. Sad thing is, I know how my friend feels cuz my own dad had a similar response when he offered to help one of them (eugh I hate using that term, "one of them". Generalisation is awful! Hopefully you get that it's not my intent). After getting such an answer, you pretty much feel like dirt and that it's not worth the effort to help anyone at all. This is what happens when we let this evil fester in us. It becomes a dog eat dog world, with everyone looking out for themselves.

Now why am I so pissed off? Well I went to visit a friend at Spintex. I knew the place to be "Flowerpot Junction" Not having a car anymore, I chose to save money and take a tro tro instead of a taxi. The tro tro to the Accra Mall was no problem but I've only driven to that area like twice and had no idea what the stops were called. My friend told me to tell them I was going to Junction, so I did and paid 55p for the trip from the station to "junction". Now it soon became clear that junction was farther away than my actual stop. The lady next to me had said she was going to flowerpot and I realised her stop was the same as mine. She told me the fare to flowerpot was 40p. So we both alerted the mate (conductor) and as i got out of the car, I asked for my change. The mate slapped something into my hand and before I could raise my head, the tro tro shoved off. What was in my palm? A 5p coin.

I had been swindled! Me! The Darling Daixy!

I'm still amazed. It's not the fact that he took my 10p. Bah to heck with that. It's only going to buy me water. Not enough to get me gum even, and yet it still rankles. Just because he realised I did not know where the junction was, he'd pilfered my hard earned 10p. That's what annoys me ; being underestimated and written off as some foolish newbie who does not and will never know the ways of the street. I felt (and still do) violated and insulted. A girl steps out of her comfort zone (what business do I have in the Spintex Area? eh) and the first thing that happens is someone takes advantage of her? I'm really getting tired of this. Stuff keeps happening that digs me deeper into my jaded shell. Soon, there'll be none of the humanity left in me, just a spectre with a strong conviction that she must never be taken advantage of. Much like the rest of the nation is becoming.

As though I wasn't bad enough. LOL

~Daixy~

*tro tro: mini van for public transport

The Ghanaian Engine That...

2011-01-16T08:05:00.001Z

Turned Lil' Miz Daixy Into a Giggling Idiot.

So a couple of Months ago, my buddy Tetekai over at Lyrix Chronicles wrote about "Wanting a TsooTsoo Train". She bemoaned the lack of what we've come to recognise as a "proper train". Thanks to our childhood books and cartoons/movies, a lot of us (myself inclusive) seem to think of trains as engines with carriages; ergo the disappointment at seeing a ratty old cargo train.

Well, I've already said this to her, but can't keep from telling everyone else that I saw a real live choo choo train!

So umm....a friend kidnapped me Friday evening to go get my hair fixed at "Melon Salon" at Dzoworlu (you really need to check this place out). Let's just say, I really needed a proper trim. Anywho, I was waiting for my turn when I heard this alarm and ignorant moi, asked "what the heck's going on out there?" Well, my buddy just turns to me and says, "Oh that's just the train".

Just the train? Just the train?!!! Never in my entire life living in Ghana, have I ever seen a train. Not even the snarly cargo thing that Tetekai saw. So what did this grown woman do? I ran out of the salon to stand by the roadside, yelling for him to grab a camera. Lo and behold, there really was a train and it was loading passengers. "The train moves to and from Tema" my friend says and all the while, I'm asking ridiculous questions he can't possibly answer. "How long has it been running?" "You mean to say it's been running since we were kids?" "Oh my gosh, how big is it? How fast can it go?" I was truly blown away by the fact that Accra has a running "train". This one, in fact.

source: http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/

Yes, I waited out there for the train to finish loading and then watched it finally pull out. I counted six (6) carriages! Did I mention I was holding my friend's hand the whole time? (Poor guy didn't get why I was so excited, lol) My mind must have swapped with that of a four year old or something because I really did giggle, gasp and laugh with obvious glee as the red, gold and green worm snaked it's way out of my sight.

And then I called Tetekai to scream about it, like the excited schoolgirl I am inside! It didn't end there though. While pinned under the good old comb and scissors, the train passed by on it's way from Tema. I forgot to ask where in Accra it ends. You'd think I'd have my fill of trains after that, right? No way! As we were driving from Dzoworlu into Osu, we were stopped right before the train tracks. Why? The train was passing through, AGAIN on its way to Tema. Of course, that had me on the phone once more, rubbing it into poor Tetekai's face (or ears, if you will) that I'd seen a real train.

I'm not joking about this. Forget the subways in New York and such that I've seen and been on, I have NEVER set eyes on any sort of train in Ghana (unless you count the kiddie trains at the Efua Sutherland Children's Park).

Now all that remains for me to do is take a ride on Accra's CHOO CHOO TRAIN!!!

Happy New Year!!!

~Daixy~

PS. I know it's so very American of me to say "choo choo" instead of "tsoo tsoo" but until I heard Keteke's Tsoo Tsoo in 2000, I had no idea ghanaians called it that lol.

Light vs. Dark......

2010-12-31T18:31:00.001Z

Image by PeterLinLin via Flickr

Wiry vaporous spectres

Dance about the naked blaze

Their lithesome frames

Gyrating, Sensuous, Mesmerising

Engaged in haphazard flight.

Piercing the sinister shadow

They make their valiant attempts

To strike at the dark nothingness

That lies beyond the lonesome light.

Baleful, Lurking,

Ever- patient it awaits

That inevitable moment

When, exhausted,

The hapless flame

Delivers its final flicker.

And eventually, spent,

The extinguished light of love,

And its silent wraiths,

Are laid to rest within

The gloomy bowels of the night.

~Daixy~

I'd like to thank the Electricity Company of Ghana for the inspiration for this piece. The past four nights spent in darkness have afforded me the opportunity to play, as I did as a child, with candles. Happy New Year's people. May 2011 bring out the best in us. God Bless.

Stop The Aids: Prevention Revolution on World AIDS Day

2010-12-01T10:21:00.001Z

Image by ginnerobot via Flickr

Once upon a time, learning your ABCs meant simply learning the letters of the alphabet. With time, kids would associate a letter with a word and so on and so forth until they could read, write and comprehend text. But over the years, A whole new meaning has been attached to this childhood learning Aid. From about 1988 to date, attempts have been made to teach the young and old alike the ABCs of HIV. People are being asked to remember to:

Abstain;

Be Faithful; and to practise

Condom Use

Just in case you've been hiding under a rock for the past couple of years, HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system and leaves it vulnerable to attack by other infections. AIDS is a condition brought about by the overthrowing of the immune system. Basically, Aids is the point in which your immune system has given up and various diseases attack. There are a lot of people living with HIV/Aids (PLWHA) who do not have AIDS. With the right treatment, PLWHA can live for many years. The important thing is to teach inform and educate PLWHA and those without about the condition and how to handle themselves.

World AIDS Day is celebrated every year, on this day (December 1) with the aim of awareness creation, a celebration of successes in prevention and treatment, and to commemorate those who have fallen victim to the icy grip of death. I hope you will join the world as we mourn the people who have died of AIDS and praise the people who have made such valuable contributions to its identification, prevention, treatment and possible cure.

I do not want to go into detail and bombard you with information on HIV/AIDS but I will say this, "It is a crime against humanity if you do not educate yourself and your family on the reality that is HIV/AIDS". It is a travesty to be mentally sound and yet ignorant of the virus and its effects and to keep those about you in that same ignorant state.

In Ghana, sexuality is something that is rarely discussed, especially by parents to their kids. Most people try to avoid talking about it. Well I say, enough is enough. I agree with UNAIDS in that we need a prevention revolution. Everyone out there needs the three Bs. We should ALL:

Be Aware;

Be Informed;

Be Educated;

Therefore, if you're in Accra, I know for sure that there is Free Voluntary HIV Counselling and testing at the KorleBu Teaching Hospital, Legon Hospital and SNITT Hospital in Osu. If you're anywhere near the Legon campus, please drop by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) every Wednesday and Saturday. Ask for the Health Support Centre and follow the directional arrows to the counselling office. For directions, please visit the NMIMR website.

If you have information on HIV/AIDS, please do not keep it to yourself. Tell that cousin that lives in Wenchi about it and be sure to give him accurate information. Encourage him to get regular testing and to spread the word. It is IMPERATIVE that people get the right information and that they believe it. HIV/AIDS is not some spiritual problem you can wash away with the blood of virgins or beat out of your body.

I look forward to a world that is free of HIV. We were able to get rid of small pox. I want to see us do the same with HIV, Hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases/infections. Let us get more people (Ghanaian and otherwise) to attend VCT centres. Let's "STOP the AIDS"!!!

~Daixy~

Water is Life: It's a Two Way Street

2010-10-16T16:42:00.055+01:00

Image via Wikipedia

We came from water. Or so science claims. The first living organism, which evolved and diversified in species and produced what is now mankind, came from water.

Water accounts for the make-up of 75% of the human body. It's the base/medium for ALL bodily fluids and I'd like to see how your blood would send that precious oxygen to parts of your body if that volume were reduced to 40% let alone zero. I hate to imagine if soil was to be the centre of life (can you imagine sand running through your veins? or molten larva like the pyro guy in "Ben10"?!). And Air? I suddenly have a funny image in my mind of a human being consisting solely of skin and air. In my mind I see him inflate on the intake of air and deflate on the out lol. Water eats the cake, my dears and has it too :)

A fit person can go about four to six weeks without food (and some hardcore religious people have shown they can go waaaaaay longer) so long as they have water. Try going for just a week without water though and let's see how long you have left for this earth.

How many babies jump straight to eating solid foods? NONE!!! These tiny beings have no teeth and cannot chew and for so many other reasons, their meal (breast milk or formula) is fluid based. That fluid? Of course it's water!!! 88% of breast milk is made up of water. And Amniotic fluid? The stuff that cushions and nourishes your unborn baby? You know, protects it from external shocks; allows nutrients to pass from mother to child? Hello? 50-70% I think my point has been made.

Virtually everyone knows water is for cooking, drinking and cleaning and for generating energy. We all know the agricultural value of water but how many of us think of transportation? In some parts of Ghana, especially during the rainy/flooding seasons, you'll find that boat/canoe is the only available method of transportation. Once dry paths become waterlogged and its not rare to find people moving to and from their jobs on water vessels.

I yearn to stroll the streets of Venice, and to drag my hand through the waters of its canals while I enjoy a magical moonlit gondola ride, (I'm still a hopeless romantic, no matter how pessimistic I pretend to be) and perhaps one day I shall follow Mrs. Bucket and take a trip on the QEII. For millennia, water crafts have been used for transportation and permit activities such as fishing. How many offshore oil drills have been set up over the past lord knows how many years? How were those giant monstrosities set up?

Picture Source

Did you know that people build houses on water? Perhaps you have heard of Nzulezu? It's a village in the Western Region of Ghana where the people have their houses on stilts on Lake Tadane. An entire village on water!!! In Benin, on the river Nokoue, and in some parts of Thailand, you will find this is common. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what these people subsist on and I for one marvel at the way they interact with their environment.

Remember the really fine Chinese silk? The kind they used to clothe their emperors in? Contrary to most people's beliefs, silk isn't grown on trees like cotton is. It's spun from the cocoons of the silkworm. And the trick to growing gorgeous cocoons is to feed and water the silk worms regularly. The water required is the clean, fresh mineral water from their vestal lake, streams and pools. Sadly, with industrialisation, not only is it difficult to find people willing to practice this ancient craft, but the pure water used to water the worms is no longer well, pure. Factory run-offs now pollute those water bodies and it seems we've lost a fine art.

Oh, I shouldn't forget to mention the fun things we do with water. The snorkelling and skiing and swimming and omg DIVING!!! I yearn to visit Water World and play with the seals and dolphins. Oooh and to kiss a killer whale....as always, I digress. And the religious uses, all those purificaton rights!!!

Physiotherapists prescribe water exercises for a lot of their patients. Soaking in a hot tub is guaranteed to soothe your aches and pains and a lot of women these days are opting for water births. I have my reservations about the safety of these for the baby but am in total agreement with the fact that it eases the delivery for the mother. Swimming is recommended for a full body work out and I've been told several times to start swimming to strengthen my back muscles and to help with re-aligning my spine (good luck with getting me back in the water). There's so much more you could do with water that I haven't covered!!!

Water covers 70.9% of the earth's surface but did you know that over a billion of the world's population has no access to clean water? 97% of the water is saline water in the seas and oceans. 2.4% is locked up , frozen, in the icecaps, 1.6% in underground water and about 0.6% is in streams, lakes, rivers etc. The entire earth's population of animals (including humans) relies on this 0.6%. In the less developed countries, people have to travel great distances to collect and store water of poor quality for their day to day activities, leaving them exposed to all sorts of diseases, infections and dangerous animals (I include some humans in this category.)

I fully believe that the next world war will be fought over access to water, and not oil. In Ghana for instance, even in the major cities, you will be hard pressed to find someone who has water flowing regularly in their residence. Storage tanks and reservoirs have become essential to the ghanaian household and people pay loads of money to have water delivered to their homes. If this is the situation in the major cities, then can you imagine what people in the rural areas have to contend with?

Lack of clean drinking water exposes people to water/sanitation related diseases. These pictures were taken in a part of Ghana. The water body pictured (it's a conduit from a dam) is known to be a breeding ground for the vector of schistosomiasis and yet it's the only open source of water for miles. Boreholes sunk in the area proved to be no better, as it was discovered that the mineral content in the water was too high for consumption. A few of the boreholes were declared safe for drinking and its not uncommon to see people leaving one village and walking for miles to fetch clean water for their cooking needs.

You can imagine however the risks they still face, as they still turn to the water from the river for their cleaning and agricultural activities. These women were washing vegetables in their bare feet. They're easy prey for the agents of schisto unlike the consumers who are at NO risk (by the time the veggies get to us, the agents are long gone). Thankfully, with education, they are now aware of the risks involved and hopefully the next time I see this, the women will be wearing Wellington boots and thick gloves to protect themselves.

Did you know that Ghana has a water policy?, I certainly didn't. I discovered the Ghana Water Resources Commission and from the state of their website (it's not been updated in ages!) I've concluded for now, that they're either really busy (too busy to let us know what they're up to) or not very effective.

Water acts like a double edged sword from time to time and becomes even more nasty when mankind decides to mess with it. If you've ever slipped or fallen asleep in a bathtub, been carried out to sea or nearly drowned in a pool, you have my sincerest sympathies. I almost drowned some years back and have only gotten in a swimming pool once since. I learned not to play with that particular sword and now have a new respect for it. Remember the Tsunami in Indonesia a couple years ago? All those sunken ships with their bellies loaded with treasure? Who could forget the titanic, or the damage dealt to New Orleans when Katrina hit? Yes, it giveth and taketh, and most of us would rather be collecting from water than giving back.

Earth scientists believe quite strongly that global warming and climate change is contributing to ecological disasters such as the flooding in Pakistan. The ice caps are melting!!! And not into your streams and rivers, No. They're melting into the oceans and the effects are astronomical! If you've been to Keta, you may have noticed the sea defense project. Hundreds of people have lost property in that area. I have an aunt who was struggling to keep her home from greedy in laws. She laughs bitterly now and tells them to go dig the land from the sea. If you're one of those people poo pooing climate change, ask yourself why it no longer hails in the Eastern Region of Ghana, and why The Osu castle is at risk of disappearing. We need to take a page from the good people of Holland and build better defences if we want to continue to live along the present coast of Ghana.

A major source of drinking water is the collection of rainwater/ precipitation. My grandfather, before water was connected to his home, used to collect and filter rain water for all his domestic needs. I wouldn't recommend that now. A result of Industrialization we now have to contend with Acid Rain. Rain/precipitation is essential for the renewal of that 0.6% of non saline water. Now imagine the effects on agriculture and property when the rain itself is poisonous and corrosive? And the runoffs that enter our streams and rivers before making their way to our taps? Polluted water (through our own fault) from our sewage and factory wastes is going to be the death of us.

If you've never lived in an area where water is scarce to come by, odds are you waste this precious product. I asked myself what I could do to cut down on water consumption some years back and I stick to them like glue. Hopefully, now you know why it's so important, you'll also learn to conserve it. And in the case of people paying an arm and a leg, (like I do) for water to be delivered, you can actually save yourself some money.

Do you need that shower or Jacuzzi? Would it not be better to use a bucket so you can cut down on the quantity you utilise? I use a bucket and on the odd weekend, I take one relaxing bubble bath to relax my muscles. It's my guilty pleasure which I combine with my physiotherapist's advice but once I take up swimming, I'm sure I'll rule it out completely.

Instead of letting the water run while you do dishes, perhaps you could fill the sink with warm water and leave it for the duration of your mealtime until everyone is done washing their plate. And when you brush your teeth, please use a cup or glass, or remember to shut off the tap between rinses. I've seen people leave the tap running while they brush. It's a senseless waste :(

Wash your car from a bucket, not a hose. I give mine a good cleaning at a washing bay on occasion, when I need to have the bonnet and undercarriage flushed out, but daily cleaning involves a bucket and large duster. NO laundry detergent!!! It ruins your paint job! Get a car shampoo if you really want to see lather or buy yourself some wax.

One thing you can do is, instead of watering your garden with a hose, save your laundry water. Let it rest and scoop off the scumm from the top and drain off the clear water for watering your garden. And you can collect your rain water for this purpose also. It all starts from YOU. Conserve water today.

You know how it is when you have so much to say and such little time to do it, well that's the case here. Some of my fellow bloggers have said what I'd like to about the importance of clean drinking water and why we should make it accessible to everyone. Benjamin Anyan writes beautifully and I love what he has to say about the topic.And you should check out Nana Kofi Acqua's gorgeous descriptives. I'll keep updating FYI.

And now that I'm finally fed up of rambling, I'ma stop here. More in my next post :)

~Daixy~
Yes, I know it's a day late but better late than never, eh? I dunno what's going on with blogger but my preview looks nothing like the final product, Edited this stuff a million times to make it passable grr

Chotto Kawaiiii

2010-09-28T06:53:00.000+01:00

Image via Wikipedia

Driving out with dad today, I was busy running my mouth off when I heard a little voice calling, "bye bye..." Looking up at the SUV next to me, I noticed the little tyke waving at me from the passenger window. Forgetting the point I was making to my dad, I found myself turning into a squealing baby lover. "Aaaaaw aren't you cuuuuuute! Buh Bye......" Complete with giant smile and waves. It's this quarter life crisis I tell you! I can't resist cute and adorable children!!!!!

And then I spent most of the rest of the drive gushing to dad about how cute the little boy was and how when I have kids I'd want them to be as sweet as that one. It wasn't until later that I realised,

He was in the front seat
On his mother's lap
He wasn't in a car seat!!!
His mother didn't smile at me (maybe she doesn't like people complimenting her son and refusing to compliment her :P)
I want one of my own!!! Not in the distant future, or next year, or tomorrow....I want one NOW! The boyfriend better get to work fast lol.

I got nothing but mad rambling today. Sorry.......I'm going to give myself a good work out and get off this happy high lol
~Daixy~

Up to here......

2010-09-26T09:33:00.004+01:00

Image via Wikipedia

I wish that I didn't have to feel
For numbness to mask the pain
That I had space to heal
And didn't have to see your cheating face again

I wish you'd just leave me be
To live my life in peace
Must you keep tabs on me
Ensure that I'm still down on my knees?

Don't you think you've done enough
To tear my world apart
To shatter dreams of my gullible youth
And trample on my oh so fragile heart?

I'm sick and tired of crying
Of wondering what I did wrong
Even though I realise that you were a lying
Cheating Ass all along!

Congratulations!
You almost broke my spirit
But you really should cease your jubilations,
You see, because I've finally hit my limit

So I'll say this one last time
I've had enough of you
And I'll get over your insidious crime
If it's the last thing I do

Quit trying to check out my facebook
And calling me up on the phone
Don't come over to give me that puppy dog look
And for goodness sakes, LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!!!

~Daixy~

Cowards! Stand there and take it like a man....

2010-09-22T18:57:00.000+01:00

To whom it may concern,

Thanks ever so much for running into my parked car. Thanks so much for choosing not to wait around for the owner of the ride you scraped. Thanks for leaving that wide and long dent for me to fix. And above all, thanks for proving yourself to be a coward. The least you could have done was leave a note on my windscreen with an apology and maybe even a number so I could call and thank you for at least being responsible.

I think you are a coward for not facing your crime and wish someone would do far more damage to whatever you have the misfortune of driving. As I take out money I should be using to pay school fees or feeding my family to fix the dent and scratch you left, I'll be wishing for a thousand skunks to bathe you in their juices and hoping that someone chooses to put sugar in your petrol tank.

I'm pissed off beyond measure and hope you never let me get wind of your identity.

Just saying and hoping you have a sucky day.

~Daixy~

When Life is Just too Hard to Deal With: 13 yr old girl commits suicide!!

2010-09-18T17:39:00.008+01:00

Image via Wikipedia

Reading the paper today, this story caught my eye. Girl, 13, Commits Suicide.

Apparently, thirteen (13) year old Abigail who lives with her Aunt (Beatrice) in Takoradi decided that life was just too much for her to deal with. This child hanged herself for what she claims to be unfounded accusations of promiscuity and theft. A day after reporting the suicide to the police, Beatrice produced a "suicide note" in which Abigail is said to have stated that a colleague and friend of Beatrice's (Sophia) had accused her of stealing phone cards and a charger. The little girl went on in her note to state that her aunt had accused her of flirting, and most importantly, denied those claims.

Perhaps I'm being picky, but shouldn't the police when they investigated the scene, have discovered the note? What sort of detective work did they do? If you come across a suicide scene, isn't the first thing you do after checking to see if there is any sign of a pulse to look for a note?

I wonder who this little girl was. I may not have known her, but I wish I knew who she was and what happened to her. I think about whether or not she had NO ONE to talk to about the persecution she felt she was facing. I'm wondering how bad it had to be for her to decide to end it all. I've already given her a profile in my head. Most likely she is orphaned and living with the only relative who would have her. Or perhaps her parents are incapable of caring for her and chose to send her to stay with a better off relation, as is often the case here in Ghana.

My question is, how did this child come to the conclusion that she could go to no one for help? Was there not a pastor she spoke to? A playmate? A concerned neighbour? If it was that bad, could she not have run away? Why did she feel there was nothing else out there for her?

I wish someone could have saved her from her demons, real or imagined as they may be. I figure what disturbed me most was how in the "Weekend Mirror" an "observer" was quoted to have said that the girl killed herself to cover up her crimes. That person hinted that Abigail may have been pregnant and may have killed herself to avoid punishment. Grr. I sincerely doubt that anyone, choosing to end their life for a crime they committed, would choose to leave the sort of note Abigail did. Most likely, she would have apologised for her crimes in the note. It would take a truly bitter soul to leave a farewell note declaring themselves innocent of a crime they committed. Like, think of it. If you're leaving the world anyway, why hide your sins? It doesn't gel with me. This girl in whatever state she was in, still felt the need to declare her innocence. And goodbye she wrote out in capital letters? She made it very clear who it was she was running from. If she truly were pregnant, would she not have given some explanation on that? Perhaps an apology for killing her unborn child?

So now, I feel terrible for her aunt, who most likely did not realise what was going on. Surely, she never meant to harm the girl. It's quite probable that there were reasons for her to believe Abigail was headed for trouble and she acted the only way she knew how. How can this woman feel now, taking the blame for this tragedy?

Whether she is responsible or not, I doubt there is any way that she will be able to get out of this without feeling guilty. Little Abigail did far more than take her own life. She marked at least one woman for life and most likely ruined their reputations. This woman will forever blame herself for not seeing this coming, for not dealing with the situation properly, for not listening.....you know us humans; even without the note, she'd make herself responsible.

This raises a lot of issues about the way children are raised in this country. How much is too much chastising and ridiculing? When is it not okay to call a child up, sit them down and tell them to the face that their actions are wrong? When should you give up on correcting a child and guiding them on the right path?

This is where counseling services would be helpful in Ghana. Sure, a person has committed suicide, but what of the people who are left behind, those that feel guilty? Who is to save them from sinking into the same states that their friends and loved ones were in?

I feel that if we had better child services, if CHRAJ and WAJU and other social services were running properly in this country......would Abigail still be alive? I'm wondering how many more cases such as this will have to occur before something is done in this country and wish that people who have the Know How will step forward and DO SOMETHING about mental health issues in Ghana. At least our children should have one place they can go to when they feel oppressed and depressed.

It's bad enough when adults who should know better commit suicide but when our children turn to it? We should know by now that we have a problem and our Nations leaders should quit arguing about which members of parliament are homosexuals and actually get down to doing their work. People like Derrick Adjei, should be talking about ways to keep our youth from pulling stunts like this, not mouthing off about Akuffo Addos's supposed diminutive stature. Just you wait! Your time in Daixy's corner will come sooner than you think.

~Daixy~

related posts:
Daixy on Suicide Prevention day
Daixy on Suicide Debunked
Links within posts

Happy Birthday Lil' Miz Daixy.....

2010-09-12T01:51:00.003+01:00

Right. Getting down to brass tacks.
Iz Mai Berfdai!!!
I'm growing old. it's as simple as that lol. For every year that's tacked on, I'm reminded that I'm no longer nineteen. I was so happy at nineteen. As Ray Charles would say, "It was a very good year". I had just started uni and discovered that once again, I was the "Americano in town" and I had the time of my life shocking people who would gossip in twi about me and the tomboyish way I dressed. It was, and still is wonderful to see their faces when I call up someone on the phone and start speaking fante LOL. Oooh and I discovered Asian Cooking back then and boy, did my kitchen smell good that year?!
But I do realise that there's much I appreciate in the years after that. I've done and learned a lot and most importantly, I'm on the road to self discovery and happiness. I've no doubt of that. Me and the boyfriend celebrated our one year anniversary :) Oh and I picked up Guitar....I've gone back to the kitchen....and even better, I've made wonderful new friends who care enough to start calling before midnight to wish me a happy birthday lol. Thanks guys....Now I'm wide awake rofl.

I didn't know I'd make it this far and I have to thank God for getting me here. I've been wandering about blindly and yet I've not done half bad methinks. I guess the big wish for my candle this year is that I discover what it is I am meant to do. I know, I know, I'm always demanding something from you but you're like, GOD! Who else am I going to make wild demands to? lol.

I just wanna give a birthday holla @ the peeps who are blessed enough to share my special day:

Fr. Edmund Neizer (formerly of St. Kizito's Catholic Church)
Mrs. Ewuley (Christ the King International School- She taught me in 4th year)
Donald Griffith (Who probably doesn't remember me ROFL)
Barry White (I love you man! Your music will live on!!!!)
Yao Ming (One of these days, me and you have to shack up. Dunno how I'll explain the half co baby but I thank God for the Portuguese blood in my BF lol) {Did I mention my mom is fascinated by you? She says she won't mind having you for a son in law)
Jennifer Hudson (My voice is nowhere near as strong as yours is, but I can't wait for the day me and you get to belt out a couple of songs @ the BET awards)
Reuben Studdard (You're a lucky man to share my spotlight lol and YES I'm that vain).
September (I adore Cry For you!!! And I hate that you've chosen the stage name I woulda picked rofl)
Paul Walker (I have to admit that you're drool worthy. Not like Barry, but drool worthy nonetheless)
So yeah, Happy birthday y'all and remember to have a good one. Barry, remember to put in a word for me to the Big Guy. Oh and see if he can't make me 19 again? ;) Oh and I hope you, Marvin, Teddy, Raye and Luther aren't giving Michael a hard time. The six of you would be AMAZING together.
So yeah, today, I'm gonna eat and drink enough for all of us (Fruit Juice). Umm..I figure I'll drink 1/8th of what Yao would. He's got a bigger tank than I do. Oh and this year I'm not gonna try to call him up so I can scream, "Yao! I want to have your giant babies!" I think I'll send him an email instead ;) Just in case Nanasei is reading this, NO, there will be no milkshakes. Just smoothies ;) And pardon the randomness but did warn you (check out my profile and get used to it).
Much Love,

~Daixy~
PS. @ the boyfriend....Arigatou Gozaimashita mai koibito. Aishiteru!

When life is just too hard to deal with: World Suicide Prevention Day

2010-09-10T09:40:00.002+01:00

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and it's got me thinking a lot about things I can do to make the situation better in Ghana. Depression, Suicide and abuse are not treated properly in this country but at least we have CHRAJ and WAJU. Depression and suicide and mental health issues are ignored in Ghana and I believe that's a huge boo boo. I don't know why it is that we are so afraid of death. It's a subject most do not want to discuss and even more so when someone takes his/her own life. But I think burying our heads in the sand won't make the problem go away.

Adults and children alike have been committing suicide in Ghana for several years. Our poor record keeping though, means we don't have actual figures. Most info on suicide in Ghana comes from the sensationalist tabloids who aren't given much credit for their newsworthiness. We get stories like this one from time to time which shock us to the core momentarily and then we go about our daily business and forget all about the tragedy.

According to this article, over 1500 people, most of them between the ages of 20 and 35, were reported to have committed suicide in 2008. I checked the Annual report of the Ghana Health Service and this wasn't mentioned. I truly wonder if these reported cases come from the Ghana Police Service or the Health service. Where are these figures from?!!! The 2009 Annual report doesn't mention Mental Health at all. In 2007 however, according to their annual report,only 3.6% of the budget allocated to the Ghana Health Service went to the Mental health Services. 3.6%? Healthy Mind Healthy Body!!!! I know we have major diseases to deal with like TB and Malaria and Lymphatic Filariasis but seriously.....3.6% explains why we have so few mental health centres and why they are understaffed. Shame on you GHS. You should know better.

I have heard that KNUST has started a counseling centre to deal with these issues amongst its students. It's a wonderful idea, what with the number of jumpers Tech has had over the years. In searching for that, I discovered Lifeline Ghana. I wonder if they're fully operational and will be looking deeper into it. They were kind enough to list their phone numbers so I will be giving them a call.

I'd love to see Legon do the same thing Tech is rumoured to be doing, and eventually spread it out all over the country. Anyone interested in seeing that happen should holla @ me. I'm ready to get stuck in but will need all the help I can get. More people on board will give us a bigger voice.

So um, Happy Suicide Prevention Day! :D Remember to hug your loved ones and tell them you care. And that loner of a coworker, maybe you should invite em out for a cup of coffee. I want to see us do this all day of the year. This ain't christmas to think about only on the D day :)

Anywho, don't forget to check out :

WHO
IASP
WHO WSPD statement 2009

~Daixy~

Hypocrisy at its best......

2010-09-09T19:44:00.001+01:00

Y'all need to see what the Diva has to talk about today.

I certainly couldn't have said it any better meself.

Soliloquies of a Diva

~Daixy~

When life is just too hard to deal with: Myths debunked

2010-09-07T21:27:00.002+01:00

"Ghanaians don't get depressed," This comment had me laughing early last week. "it's americans like you who flip out over everything."

First of all, I am very much a Ghanaian. I simply open myself up to other cultures :P

Second, just cuz I've had a very interesting past and it's scarred me a bit doesn't mean I'm mentally unsound. Why should it take a crazy person to think about steps to prevent suicide? I find it odd that the second I try to talk about rape, abuse, suicide or depression, it becomes a game of driving nails into dry concrete with me bare fingers!

Third, dealing with my issues shouldn't stop me from facing up to reality and saying, I want to do something about this. Doesn't have to stop me from starting whatever movement I want or lobbying my local MP or regional health director for infrastructure I believe should be in place. And now that that rant is over, I can get down to the business off the day.

What I'd like to do today is debunk a few myths about self harm and suicide. I can't cover them all and I'm not going to explain what they are. Links below should be sufficient methinks....

Image via Wikipedia

Myth: Suicides don't occur in Ghana.

Fact: Suicide occurs all over the world. In fact, it is the 10th leading cause of death globally. Over a million people commit suicide every year all over the world. Sadly, no one seems to be collecting data on suicide in Ghana and most of Africa. We do not as yet have the necessary systems in place for reporting and recording of suicide attempts and successes. The map above is as accurate as the WHO can make it. Without actual data, there is nothing they or any other organisation can do.

To save face, families in Ghana bribe police officers and medical practitioners into changing the cause of death. This is most especially so when they are christian. As such, the police and hospitals here very rarely report such cases.

Myth: People hurt themselves or attempt suicide for attention.

Fact: Au contraire. People who self harm are simply trying to feel, something anything. They usually are detached from this world and feel they are alone, unloved, repressed. Cutting, burning, they turn to pain as they cannot feel happiness, love. Other times, they are punishing themselves for some crime they perceive they committed. A lot of people suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) will do this. Quite often they have suffered physical or sexual abuse and are unable to deal with the psychological fallout. The result therefore is a need to externalize the pain, to "make it real."

Myth: People who talk about suicide are looking for attention.

Fact: People who talk about suicide are reaching out for help. They've thought about it and are scared that they'll actually go through with it.

Myth: If you're depressed, just make yourself happy. Snap out of it.

Fact: If it was that easy, your friend, family member, colleague wouldn't have the cuts, burns and bruises they do, and most importantly? They wouldn't be thinking of ending it.

Myth: Suicide occurs without warming.

Fact: Usually, suicide victims will leave some sort of clue as to what they intend to do. There is always some verbal or behavioural hint. Most often though, these clues are ignored or not taken seriously.

Myth: Asking someone if they are thinkingof suicide will plant the idea in their head.

Fact: Talking about suicide will NOT give a person who is not considering it ideas. If you feel the need to ask someone this question, then most likely they've left clues that led you to that conclusion. Asking them will not make them go out and do it. A lot of suicidal persons will be relieved to have someone ask them about it. It's a huge burden to bear by oneself and someone who has been struggling with the urge and wants a friend to talk to will actually be grateful for the opportunity to share some of their fears.

Myth: Once a person has attempted suicide, he or she will never try it again.

Fact: If your friend or loved one has made the attempt before, please keep an eye out, especially when they are under stressful conditions. People who make attempts and fail are most likely to come up with a different plan of action, with the sole aim of actually going through with it. Perhaps the last time you were lucky enough to grab him before he ran under a bus. Well next time, perhaps your friend would have researched on the number of pills he needs to swallow and would have made sure to lock his door.

Please do not treat any threat of suicide lightly. If you suspect someone of having suicidal thoughts, talk to them. Find out if they have a definite plan. Someone who has gone so far as to set out a plan (or several plans) has had a lot of time to prepare and could take action at any minute. Try to get them to talk about their problems and see if you can get them to go see a counselor. Look for signs of self harm. Usual suspects are long sleeves (even in hot weather) to hide ligatures on the arms and a reluctance to dress in shorts/skirts. When your friend, daughter, colleague suddenly changes their style of dressing to cover up, it's usually a sure sign of distress.

Sources and links:

WHO WSPD statement

International Association for Suicide Prevention

Self Harm
Self harm on the BBC

~Daixy~

When Life is too hard to deal with: To Write Love On Her Arms

2010-09-06T08:00:00.002+01:00

Image by ninniane via Flickr

So, I was going to write one big piece for this week as suicide prevention day is coming up, but it just made me sad, depressed and frankly, I entered a dark place. I decided instead to provide links to info I think the world should read and give the little extra that I feel should be stressed on. Addiction, Depression, Self Harm and Suicide are topics that truly matter to me, right up there with abuse. I consider addiction, self harm and suicide to be abuse, not only of oneself, but of the people around you. They do far more harm than we expect, scarring the lives of millions of people each year.

Image via Wikipedia

I want to introduce you guys to TWLOHA (To Write Love on Her Arms). It's a movement dedicated to the above. TWLOHA has been raising awareness about addiction, depression, self harm and suicide since 2006. They link people to hotlines and rehab centres close by and they offer real life stories from real life victims. TWLOHA is all about showing people that they are not alone, that they are loved, and that life is so worth living right. Feel free to visit their site and read their blog. The only problem I have with TWLOHA is that it's transitioned from a movement into a fad. Everyone is writing love, but not everyone knows why. I think we should all know the reasons why we do what we do. I missed TWLOHA day this year (was in febuary), I think the decision was made to randomise it so it's not treated like christmas, where people think about it only at that time of the year.

For those of you out there who are feeling lost and all alone, who think constantly of suicide, who hurt yourselves: remember, don't pick up that razor, don't slice up that wrist. Instead, write "Love" on your arms.

To Write Love On Her Arms

TWLOHA on facebook

I write love on my arms. Hopefully, you will too.....

~Daixy~

Random event on the road in Accra........

2010-09-04T17:42:00.001+01:00

Timeline: Yesterday

Image via Wikipedia

Venue: 37 Military hospital traffic light.

"That monster hates my guts!!" Always has! Like, this bad old monster waited till it was my turn to move through the stand-still traffic to turn it's angry red glare on me!!! (Like it always does!!!) Anywho, so I'm on my way to work and the light stops me, and there's this trotro in the lane next to me who overshot the light by like a metre. I'll tell you why I'm mentioning that in a minute.So I'm grumbling and cussing at the light when this guy comes up to my window and asks me to buy some of his grapes. They are big and juicy looking but I'm not carrying any loose change and don't feel like waiting for him to try and change a big note but I digress.

This young grape seller (did I mention that he looked HAWT? He shouldn't be selling by the roadside) he begins lambasting this woman in the backseat of the trotro. Apparently she dropped a used "pure water" sachet out the window and into the street. The woman ignores said young man and rolls her eyes. The young man keeps complaining then bends over to pick up the bag. It's what he does next that's got me grinning even now. Just as the light turned green, he shoved the bag through the woman's window and into the trotro!

It is so refreshing to see that people still care about the environment.

Or is it because the AMA holds the street hawkers to task when the area is filthy, hmm? LOL

~Daixy~

Music

2010-08-25T19:07:00.002+01:00

Image by nova3web via Flickr

My voice; the anthem

To which your body must rise

Erect, rigid; in token salute.

Acquaint yourself with the quake

From your powerful thighs

For I intend to play all day

~Daixy~

Seems this is a naughty week for me. I know I'm leaving myself open but here it is. I have no idea what's gotten into me :P but I'm using this as continuation to Chemistry. Class is in session ;)

Daixy's Blogg

Moving Now...

Amor

Most Troublesome Network......

The Adventures of Ginger Rayne Maxen.......

Pray Tell.....

Silky Smooth & Sexy......

Mob Mentality: It Can Lead to Fail

Related articles

Rain Rain Go Away.....

Relish

Corrupt Conductors Conniving to Cheat!...

The Ghanaian Engine That...

Light vs. Dark......

Stop The Aids: Prevention Revolution on World AIDS Day

Water is Life: It's a Two Way Street

Chotto Kawaiiii

Up to here......

Cowards! Stand there and take it like a man....

When Life is Just too Hard to Deal With: 13 yr old girl commits suicide!!

Happy Birthday Lil' Miz Daixy.....

When life is just too hard to deal with: World Suicide Prevention Day

Hypocrisy at its best......

When life is just too hard to deal with: Myths debunked

When Life is too hard to deal with: To Write Love On Her Arms

Random event on the road in Accra........

Music