Final Countdown: One month left.

I didn't think this day would actually come.

Now that it's here,  I don't know what to think.

In exactly one month's time, I will have my suitcases packed and stuffed in the back of a tro, slurping down my last FanChoco and waving goodbye to the town I called home for the last five months.

Some days, I couldn't wait for that moment to arrive. I'd catch myself tapping my toes, twiddling my thumbs, patiently waiting for the time I'd be back in the airport, headed back to friends, family and burritos.

Man, I miss burritos.

Recently, though, my return flight feels like it's approaching way too quickly.There is still so much to do, so much to see.  I've cultivated a community here, and the thought of saying goodbye to the people I've met makes my stomach drop.

With four weekends left in Ghana, I am challenging myself to make the most out of each of them. Running away to waterfalls in Volta, late nights dancing, drinking and being merry in Accra, and maybe even a trip up north, I'm determined to fill the next month with lots of laughter, memories and a healthy dose of shenanigans.

- Ashley Rose

Happy 500th, This American Life.

In the beginning of my time at Della, I spent a mind-numbing amount of hours cutting cloth for the women to sew. My hands bled and cramped from clutching metal scissors for five or more hours a day. (I have infinite respect for the people who do this for a living.)

Spending so much time hovered over the cutting table, I felt my brain melting. Music was a nice escape from the monotony for awhile, but I needed more stimulation than Mumford & Sons to get me through the task of cutting fabric for 400 jackets.

Wyatt let me borrow his iPhone to listen to a podcast or two to pass the time, and I was hooked.

That night, I downloaded all the podcasts I could and actually looked forward to cutting cloth again so I could immerse myself in the stories shared.

I'm picky about my podcasts. I can't stand back and forth banter between two hosts who don't actually have anything important to say.

Coming from a journalism background, I clutch to podcasts telling stories of things unknown -- unknown issues, unknown people, unknown facts. This American Life tells stories surrounding issues I didn't even know I was interested in. From Native American tribes to global warming to Christian blackjack players, I always look forward to the newest episode to teach me about subjects foreign to me.

Podcasts have been my lifeline while in Ghana. 

This week, This American Life reached their 500th episode.

This American Life has gotten me through long tro rides, lonely nights without electricity and mind-numbing activities.

I could talk about the glory of this podcast for days, but I could never do it justice.

 My favorites?

#487 and #488: Harper High School, Parts One and Two
#491: Tribes
#27: The Cruelty of Children

Ch-ch-check 'em out.

If you do anything today, download and listen to This American Life. It may change your life. It certainly changed mine.

- Ashley Rose