The “mec” at the beginning of this is Pierre, and that’s Wendy’s voice talking about how well he speaks English (she’s not kidding about the “th” sound). We went to a football game (soccer to the defiant few), and I got some footage of the stadium and fans, and some warm-ups, and of course, my FCNA (Football Club de Nantes Atlantique) t-shirt. We beat Marseille 2-1 in this game, but being the smart kid that I am, I ran out of tape before the game started. But do enjoy the run-up to it if you can. And if you’ve ever heard any horror stories about Marseille fans, they’re the ones singing at the end. I recently saw the movie Green Street Hooligans – let’s just say being a soccer fan takes on a whole new meaning.

This is the after-party that no one ever talks about. But even this isn’t too bad because we had taken care of all the cleaning before I recorded anything. But I do remember being incredibly exhausted when I filmed this because we had just spent the whole day cleaning the house. Needless to say the soirée was a huge success, and we’ve just recently had another! And this time we were ready so no ugly surprises or unexpected numbers. My host parents even danced with us. Now I hate to take credit for the new improved state of Franco-American relations, but I know I must. So thank you, thank you, oh and you too. Thanks, thanks.

This video is pretty self-explanatory when you watch it, but it depicts what can happen when you have awesome host-parents who leave for the weekend. I can’t introduce everyone in this video because there really were more people than we had anticipated! But here’s a game we can play: try spot all the people who are French and those that are American, and you might win a prize- conversation for two in French! I know, I’m too generous, but you probably deserve it ☺. Please send all answers to: pclarke@fandm.edu. Unless you were there of course. Oh, and if anyone can figure out what Nick was saying at the end, I’d like to know.

So this one starts off with some of the tiring biking I talked about. I discover my ability to defy all laws of science pertaining to gravity and the like, but then I also rediscover it rather quickly when I almost fall. But it’s ok though because after we buy the island (right), and set off on our yacht, everything should be ok. Julia (Susquehanna) is from New Jersey and she represents (to borrow Amber’s words) by defending their shore. Diana says she left her camera, which I think is a big shame because she’s the best ballroom and salsa dancer I’ve ever met! And sadly I never got any footage of that myself- was too busy filming Joe who apparently is here to “swim in the ocean.” (I don’t know what the sound is at the end, but it sure sounds like Lauren!)

So for those who don’t know, my first name is not Kojo, but it’s not made up either, it’s a veritable middle name. So I discovered Sarah (the boat girl from the previous video), who also goes by her middle name, and then I of course had to put that up. First part of the video is where me and Joe discover a mini-vehicle that’s smaller than him, and then the owner catches up before we try to pick it up. “C’est mignon” means it’s cute, but she of course doesn’t believe us so we head down to the beach and Joe chases seagulls or something. The group of girls is some of the best friends I’ve made here: clockwise from left to right, Wendy (Northwestern), Diana (Northwestern), Amber (Winthrop), Catherine, Sarah and Alyssa (Denison). And, a few people did actually think the program made up my first name because Kojo was too hard to pronounce.

So, during Study Abroad Orientation, the whole IES group went to Brest, which is in Bretagne, and on the first day we went to the coast, caught a boat up to an island, and then we biked like no other… But anyway, presenting in order of appearance: Paul (Northwestern), Joe (Haverford), Ally (Redlands), Andrew (Pacific), Alex (Pacific), Caitlin (Bates), Pierre (our pretty awesome Social Coordinator), Catherine (Connecticut College) and Sarah (Denison) (she makes the comment about the top of the boat). Pretty good group, and at the end there, Joe makes his acting debut as the man who scales a dangerous cliff-face to rejoin the rest of civilization, while identifying himself as a real man. Joe, you’ve officially been immortalized.

I thought I had misplaced this footage. While we were on vacation in Negril, we went to Rick’s Café, which is famous for it’s cliff diving. Reviewing the footage it doesn’t seem that high, but trust me, standing up there is something else. Chase goes first, and then a whole series of us, including never-before-seen footage of me and Chase jumping at the same time. One of the lifeguards gets up on a tree atop the cliff and jumps, and then he does one crazy flip off the more dangerous rocks. As I said in this, “Don’t try this at home” unless you’re in the FandM Outdoors Coalition (which started up last year).

Introducing Cristin from Ben Salem! I have to warn you, this is one of the prettiest, most talented dancers FandM has produced. She’s also been an amazing friend and in this clip, we see her at the auditions for the Philadelphia 76ers dance team. Needless to say she’s dancing for them now. Look out for her, or better still, go see a game! I couldn’t get very close in the first part of the video which is why I had to film from the screen-sorry. But listen to how she promotes the Lancaster Barnstormers, the local baseball team, whose stadium is just across the street from campus! And then she shows off with her head routine at the end. What can I say, I know how to get all the exclusives. Miss you Crizzle ☺

So I don’t know if I’ve pointed this out yet, but I’m really into Jazz as well, and so I am more than honoured to know the owner of one of the best voices I’ve ever heard. That’s right I’m talking about FandM’s very own Dean Marion Coleman. This is just a short clip of her performing “My Funny Valentine” and you can hear her over the din at El Sorrano’s, which is a pretty classy Mexican restaurant a few minutes from campus. Big up to Dean Coleman! (who has allowed me to affectionately call her Dean C).

Same day as the previous one; we’re at Lime Cay which is located just off the coast of Kingston, so we took a boat over and spent the afternoon there, playing beach soccer, socializing, eating curry shrimp, and as you can see here, living dangerously indeed. So that’s Dannyelle again, first being superwoman, then good old camerawoman again when she decides to be wise and get off the (half) swing. Of course I had to give it a go myself and then suggest it to Hari (who is also btw FnM merchandise).

This is the first video from my Jamaica trip. I’ve been really busy with getting ready for finals and such in France, but I’m working on more and more footage (for all my loyal viewers). So in this video my friend Marsha and I find Jack Sparrow’s treasure – or at least the X he used to locate it. The camera man is actually a camera woman, Dannyelle, and both these ladies are friends of Chase who is actually from FnM, and who I was visiting at the end of summer- some of the great people you can visit “in their natural habitat” if you come to FandM! ☺

So my good friend Araba and her boyfriend Sena take me to lunch while I’m transiting at London Heathrow, and of course, we’re so busy telling jokes and such in the car that I miss my flight (you should have heard the excuse I gave the airline). All the same, there’s a true story here about one of my high school teachers that I really like, even though the story doesn’t fully show that (or rather not at all), but oh well…  one of the many problems with the media these days.
And at the very end, I obviously didn’t make the money, but it turned out a good night all the same.

Footage from an evening where FnM just seemed to be represented wherever I looked. First in Lawrence’s room, then we went outside and met up with a few of the home boys, Barry, Etse, Samuel, and of course, FnM’s finest, Pierre. It was weird, because I think this was actually my last night in Ghana, and I was definitely not ready to leave home, but oh well… vlogging must go on, I guess.
Shout outs to King Barry and Etse, true Fummers at heart!

You may or may not have heard a lot about the stories African parents tell their kids about how to live. So my cousin Setor, who is an up and coming actress in New York, shares some of Auntie Chloris’s advice with us. Randolph doesn’t seem too interested until near the end, but that’s ok too. This was actually another family lunch at Auntie Inno’s (we have a few of those), and a memorable one too because they’ve just recently moved after living in this house for as long as I’ve known them to be family. I’ve definitely had some good times there…

So this is the last in the Wok and Star series, I promise, but this is a must-see. Of course I realize that by showing it here not too many guys can use it now- I sure can’t. But that’s ok, I’m far from ready… aaand I should end there before I put my foot in my mouth. But congrats Star and Wok, may you guys have continued success beyond just making it onto my vlog (a few times I might add).

So over here, still at the Thank You dinner, Intisar “Star” Williams gives us a flashback to when and how IMPACT was started.  She kind of makes you realize the truth in saying behind every successful man (or in this case group of men) is a woman. You might also want to remember who she is because she gets even more excited in my next vlog!

So a lot of people have heard about the all-male group I’m in, IMPACT. And everyone attributes its founding to Joacquim Hamilton ’06 and Aviel Ayoung ’06. So this next vlog is five of my IMPACT brothers expressing thanks and appreciation to them at a dinner we put together to say «Thank You.»   Wok & AV, you guys will be missed.

I apologize for being AWOL all this time, but I was really busy with travel planning etc., but the good news is now, I’m in France! That’s right. And even though it’s kind of hard getting footage in English, I’ll post some as it comes so check in from time to time. In the meantime, I have to update you on all that I’ve been up to since my last vlog. So this video is a clip of Easter spent at Terry’s. She’s one of the nicest ladies you’ll meet and she loves to have students over to eat, play Fact or Crap, go Easter egg hunting, and paint Easter Eggs! Her family’s great too of course.

I may have missed out on most of the game at the beginning, but I take you to see the intelligent men of IMPACT preparing a proposal for our president (Fry, not Bush), and yes, we do have a lot of fun at our meetings!

This is me just finding an excuse to test out my camera's "night vision" mode when no-one's looking. Don't worry, I do more with my life...
...sometimes :)

So, here's a quick wrap up of my day so far, and what's ahead for tonight.

It's field trip time. We're off to an Ethiopian restaurant in Philly, only an hour and a half away. Good food, good times. And Dave eating in slow motion.