How I speak

A blogpost I read a while back stuck with me.
It was about Ghanaians losing their Ghanaian accent (deliberately or not), when they travel outside the country.
I remember this post because I am one of those people.
I remember this post because it bothers me now, that I lost my Ghanaian accent.

Plus side: Being a prankster, I get my kicks from getting to see the blank look on people's faces when we meet, after talking to them on the phone.

I adapted to my host country and changed to make their life and my life easier.
It gets annoying when "huh?" keeps interrupting simple conversations/ discussions.
You wont catch me saying Subaru in this town! Su-bah-roo? Nah. That wont work. It will turn too many heads so I'll blend in with Su-broo.
Yeah I know. Silly. That's how I felt today describing that car.

There are no regrets. However, I wish back then, I didnt need to compromise so much.

Secrets

Watching a show on TV and these 5 friends have decided to keep a secret to protect one of them.
That had me wondering what secrets I might be keeping for others.
I couldn't recall any. Isn't that scary?
That's not a good sign because it could mean I don't know how to keep secrets. It might also mean nobody tells me their secrets.
I like the latter.

Telling someone something and expecting them to keep it to themselves is just not fair.
If you couldn't keep it to yourself, why expect the person to do so?

My excuse is that I have a terrible memory, although some friends say it is selective memory since I only remember the weirdest things instead of the important things I'm expected to remember.
I agree but don't tell any of them.

Plotting Definition Versus Time

I'm collecting data for a chart. y=kx The raw data is english words, and I'll plot that to show how their definitions change with time.
For now, I only have a few words ready to go.

1. Rebel.
Can be rebel forces one day, the next day "peace-seeking" world leaders recognize you as legitimate rulers.
2. Freedom-Fighter
This changes to terrorist on the time scale as well as geographical location.
3. The One.
One day he/she is heaven-sent. The years roll by and his/her name changes to "blood-sucking-ex".


Thats life.
Got any words to add?

Oh Yes He Was!

I usually hit this 4 mile stretch of traffic on my way out in the morning. It slows to a steady 40mph (about 65km/h).
Yesterday, I used up that time well in traffic when I pulled out a document I needed to review.
It went well: I had the document on the steering wheel, clasped on both sides with my hands.

So, I'm doing the same thing this morning. Same stretch of traffic.
I look over at the car next to me. This man is playing his guitar!! Driving & plucking strings.
With people like him on the road, I quickly put my document away!

I'm ashamed though. I shouldn't need the law to tell me I must have undivided attention when I drive.
No more document reviews whilst driving, for me.

Miss Angola Won!

Leila Lopes sashayed up that stage in Brazil & snatched the 2011 tiara!
You go girrrrl!
I had my money on Miss Venezuela but somehow lost track of her after the top 16 were picked. In my mind, I kept thinking Miss Angola is cute but she just doesn't stand out enough.
She sure showed me!! Her only competition was the highly confident Miss Brazil.
Leila school'd them with her answer to the final question.

Question:
"If you could change one of your personal characteristics, which one would it be and why?"

Leila's Answer:
"Thank God, I’m very well satisfied with the way God created me and I would not change a thing. I consider myself a woman with inner beauty. I have my principles. I have acquired many wonderful principles from my family and I plan to follow this through the rest of my life."

Yeah! Thats what I would have said too. :-)
Congrats Leila!

Now anyone ready for me to predict this weekend's winning lotto numbers?

*photo courtesy ABCnews.com

Miss Universe 2011

I'm rooting for you Erica!! (you know, because of the "I promise on my honour ... " thing. Go Ghana!).
However, there is something about Miss Venezuela's eyes.

My 3 picks:
Miss Venezuela, Miss Montenegro & Miss Ghana.

Hiccups Be Gone

How do you describe spicy food? Is it food with lots of different spices tastefully blended together?
Does spicy mean call-the-fire-department-cos-my mouth-is-on-fire!?
My sense of taste is not exactly on point so I wouldn't consider myself an appropriate judge in defining spicy.

On a good day, I'd go for any dish with a truckload of hot hot hot pepper in it. That to me, is spicy.
Sad part is, I get hiccups the moment the food goes down my throat.
That doesnt stop me though. I found a way to neutralize the hiccups without filling up my stomach with water.

Try this and let me know if it works.

When the hiccups start, time the interval between hiccups.
Brace yourself, hold your breath and keep still.
Hold on and do not hiccup.
Suppress 3 hiccups (or hold your breath as long as 3 hiccups would have lasted), and then exhale.
Hiccups should be gone.

Try not to tease me by describing the spicy food you tried this with.