Its Christmas time....time when families get together...
Family...ehh!!!
what would it be if we didnt have a good mix of family members; that is the spice of life!
Those that you can trust
Those that you cant trust
Those that you trust only with certain aspects
Those that second guess you all the time!
Those that cheer you on no matter what!
Those that assume you are always well put together
Those that you can confide in during the valley moments
Those that feel entitled to what you have
Those that pull their own weight
Those that organise a great get together
Those that cant plan anything to save their lives!
Those that are family magnets
Thsoe that are family repellants!
Those that can cook a mean meal
Those that cant even boil water, but who cares?
Those that cant let an offer of a night out go
Those that preach and preach and appear like their more spiritually put together
Those that have joined the family recently and brought in a whole set of issues
Those that remember you only when they are in trouble
Those that check on you every so often, bless them!
Those that remember important dates and wish you well
Those that only remember dates that relate to them! (LOL)
Those that treat children around like the precious angels they are
Those that dont seem to know kuna children in the family that need close role models!
The list is endless
Family is family, no matter what they are made of
we love the good, bear with the bad and tolerate the ugly aspects
Cheers to family!
Friday 11 December 2015
Thursday 10 December 2015
Hot seating
Hot seating
I had heard of this with interest...i was like...mmm...that would be different!!
So now that am experiencing it myself, I must say it will take a bit of time getting used to this. There is a certain level of comfort in knowing that you have a desk in a certain space and you can put all the paraphenalia that makes you comfortable!!
Couple that with the possibility of working of home and suddenly a lot of personal discipline is required to at least ensure results are achieved!!
I will not even mention disabusing myself from the habit of printing too often!
Either way, am loving this new way of working!
I had heard of this with interest...i was like...mmm...that would be different!!
So now that am experiencing it myself, I must say it will take a bit of time getting used to this. There is a certain level of comfort in knowing that you have a desk in a certain space and you can put all the paraphenalia that makes you comfortable!!
Couple that with the possibility of working of home and suddenly a lot of personal discipline is required to at least ensure results are achieved!!
I will not even mention disabusing myself from the habit of printing too often!
Either way, am loving this new way of working!
Wednesday 9 December 2015
Target - operation ondoa 25
I know I need to loose weight!
I know its not right to not take a flight of stairs without panting like I dont know what!
I know the doctor gave me a target to loose by January!
But pray tell, how is this even done??
Passing chips kuku places is pure torture as I try and justify that I need energy for all the walking am about to do....anyways, the other day i was near Jamia mall and said to myself, Hilda, today eat healthy!! so I entered this restarurant that looked that they serve uji in calabashes...and I asked..kuna brown chapati na veges (as indicated in their menu)....shes like eh?? hiyo hakuna....kuna kuku na nyama.....the world is conspiring against me!!
Let me start by at least taking the recommended 8 glasses of water a day...that at least I know I can do!! hehehehe
I know its not right to not take a flight of stairs without panting like I dont know what!
I know the doctor gave me a target to loose by January!
But pray tell, how is this even done??
Passing chips kuku places is pure torture as I try and justify that I need energy for all the walking am about to do....anyways, the other day i was near Jamia mall and said to myself, Hilda, today eat healthy!! so I entered this restarurant that looked that they serve uji in calabashes...and I asked..kuna brown chapati na veges (as indicated in their menu)....shes like eh?? hiyo hakuna....kuna kuku na nyama.....the world is conspiring against me!!
Let me start by at least taking the recommended 8 glasses of water a day...that at least I know I can do!! hehehehe
Masses are heading home
Seating in the jam every morning and every evening is just a pure waste of time
We are all like little robots getting into town by 8 and leaving at 5 - the sheer number of people making their way is mind boggling...especially if you take a matt and it passes near OTC....what!!
What if we had embraced the 24 hour economy that was lauded sometime back - this would mean not everyone needs to make a mad dash home at 5 since for some, work would end earlier or later...eish...a solution is needed!!
We are all like little robots getting into town by 8 and leaving at 5 - the sheer number of people making their way is mind boggling...especially if you take a matt and it passes near OTC....what!!
What if we had embraced the 24 hour economy that was lauded sometime back - this would mean not everyone needs to make a mad dash home at 5 since for some, work would end earlier or later...eish...a solution is needed!!
Tuesday 8 December 2015
Colour me Pink!
I have a pink mug...a pink phone.....and this was not me some years back
Having joined a women rights organisation and for the first time heard all this talk about socialisation and the way girls are dressed in pink and boys in blue...and this leads to them being girly and accepting lighter tasks etc...I would be mortified if someone saw me in pink!!
Years later, enter into my world, my precious daughter and this notion slowly changed in me. My defiant self never once bought her a doll. She turned 4 and her Aunty got her this huge doll that she loved so much. This she didn't learn from me...so where was this coming from??. I could not hide it any longer...girls have this innate biology that gears them towards nurturing, thats just the way it is!!
Now let me remember to get a small birthday cake for her doll - this was her specific request!
Having joined a women rights organisation and for the first time heard all this talk about socialisation and the way girls are dressed in pink and boys in blue...and this leads to them being girly and accepting lighter tasks etc...I would be mortified if someone saw me in pink!!
Years later, enter into my world, my precious daughter and this notion slowly changed in me. My defiant self never once bought her a doll. She turned 4 and her Aunty got her this huge doll that she loved so much. This she didn't learn from me...so where was this coming from??. I could not hide it any longer...girls have this innate biology that gears them towards nurturing, thats just the way it is!!
Now let me remember to get a small birthday cake for her doll - this was her specific request!
Move over..........
So here I am minding my own business, when i get this sms that i need to check my yahoo and respond before midnight
Turns out, the international NGO is looking to fill a position and wanted to get a shortlist as soon as possible. The condition of the email was availability on Dec 1 and as luck would have it, i had let go of my previous engagement and so was free to commit to new ones. i responded in the affirmative and within one week had done the written and oral interviews and was offered the position.
exciting
to think that i basically poured through my MBA paper all those years with a focus on HAP - Humanitarian Accountability Principles and here i was, now involved in a project that is linked to this! God is good
am happy
looking forward to new experiences....
Turns out, the international NGO is looking to fill a position and wanted to get a shortlist as soon as possible. The condition of the email was availability on Dec 1 and as luck would have it, i had let go of my previous engagement and so was free to commit to new ones. i responded in the affirmative and within one week had done the written and oral interviews and was offered the position.
exciting
to think that i basically poured through my MBA paper all those years with a focus on HAP - Humanitarian Accountability Principles and here i was, now involved in a project that is linked to this! God is good
am happy
looking forward to new experiences....
Thursday 3 December 2015
His Holiness the Pope!!
The Pope came to Kenya
and I witnessed it!!
Oh what a blessing...and his messages were so poignant....everyone had their eyes glued on him; taking on his every word
Incidentally i also took a photo of Pope John when he came in 95 - need to look for that photo somewhere
I was so psyched up - i was to be in the State House do but my card didnt arrive on time. i instead got the card for university grounds....on thursday we woke up early and left for town via train...the rain...waaa.....we had to look for a supermarket that was open so we could get an umbrella!! By the time we got to university the line was past Serena hotel, so we settled for Central park...listening to mass on the big screens in the rain...i must say it crossed my mind that surely we should have stayed at home and watched mass from the comfort and warmth of our home!!
anyways, as luck would have it, the Pope passed right in front of us on his way to the university graduation grounds.
will add more later
meanwhile, one of the best songs ever from Our Lady of Fatima Kongowea
and I witnessed it!!
Oh what a blessing...and his messages were so poignant....everyone had their eyes glued on him; taking on his every word
Incidentally i also took a photo of Pope John when he came in 95 - need to look for that photo somewhere
I was so psyched up - i was to be in the State House do but my card didnt arrive on time. i instead got the card for university grounds....on thursday we woke up early and left for town via train...the rain...waaa.....we had to look for a supermarket that was open so we could get an umbrella!! By the time we got to university the line was past Serena hotel, so we settled for Central park...listening to mass on the big screens in the rain...i must say it crossed my mind that surely we should have stayed at home and watched mass from the comfort and warmth of our home!!
anyways, as luck would have it, the Pope passed right in front of us on his way to the university graduation grounds.
will add more later
meanwhile, one of the best songs ever from Our Lady of Fatima Kongowea
- Uninyunyizie maji (Bwana) *2
Unioshe nitakate (kweli) Niwe mweupe kabisa *2 - Mimi ni mwenye dhambi (Bwana) *2
Unioshe nitakate (kweli) Niwe mweupe kabisa *2 - Natamani nije kwako (Bwana) *2
Unioshe nitakate (kweli) Niwe mweupe kabisa *2 - Naingia nyumba yako (Bwana) *2
Unioshe nitakate (kweli) Niwe mweupe kabisa *2 - Niuone uso wako (Bwana) *2
Unioshe nitakate (kweli) Niwe mweupe kabisa *2 - Nifurahi milele (Bwana) *2
Unioshe nitakate (kweli) Niwe mweupe kabisa *2
Thursday 5 November 2015
What can we offer you, Lord our God?
This song has been in my mind whole morning!!
What can we offer you, Lord our God?
How can we worship you as you deserve?
We can only offer what our lips do proclaim.
We can only offer you humble acts of praise.
But we offer this with Jesus our brother, Jesus, your Son.
We join with him, Glory to you, O God!
We join with him, Glory to you, O God!
What can we offer you, Lord our God?
How can we thank you for all that you’ve done?
We can only say it, Lord God, we thank you so.
We can only try to live grateful lives, O Lord.
But we offer this with Jesus our brother, Jesus, your Son.
We join with him, our thanks to you, O God!
We join with him, our thanks to you, O God!
What can we offer you, Lord our God?
How do we prove we are truly sorry, Lord?
We can say it often, God, sorry that we are.
We can try to prove it, Lord, by the way we live.
And we offer this with Jesus, our brother, Jesus, your Son.
We join with him, forgive our sins, O God.
We join with him, forgive our sins, O God.
What can we offer you, Lord our God?
Dare we present you with another call for help?
We just have to say it, Lord God, we need you so.
We just have to beg you, Lord, take us by the hand.
And we offer this with Jesus, our brother, Jesus, your Son.
We join with him, Lord, we need you so.
We join with him, Lord, we need you so.
What can we offer you, Lord our God?
How can we worship you as you deserve?
We can only offer what our lips do proclaim.
We can only offer you humble acts of praise.
But we offer this with Jesus our brother, Jesus, your Son.
We join with him, Glory to you, O God!
We join with him, Glory to you, O God!
What can we offer you, Lord our God?
How can we thank you for all that you’ve done?
We can only say it, Lord God, we thank you so.
We can only try to live grateful lives, O Lord.
But we offer this with Jesus our brother, Jesus, your Son.
We join with him, our thanks to you, O God!
We join with him, our thanks to you, O God!
What can we offer you, Lord our God?
How do we prove we are truly sorry, Lord?
We can say it often, God, sorry that we are.
We can try to prove it, Lord, by the way we live.
And we offer this with Jesus, our brother, Jesus, your Son.
We join with him, forgive our sins, O God.
We join with him, forgive our sins, O God.
What can we offer you, Lord our God?
Dare we present you with another call for help?
We just have to say it, Lord God, we need you so.
We just have to beg you, Lord, take us by the hand.
And we offer this with Jesus, our brother, Jesus, your Son.
We join with him, Lord, we need you so.
We join with him, Lord, we need you so.
Monday 26 October 2015
heard this song, and loved the lyrics!
"I Loved Her First"
Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each others face
So much in love your alone in this place
Like there's nobody else in the world
I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me
Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl
Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I'm not gonna stand in your way
But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first
How could that beautiful women with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time
But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But its still hard to give her away
I loved her first
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I'm going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first
Look at the two of you dancing that way
Lost in the moment and each others face
So much in love your alone in this place
Like there's nobody else in the world
I was enough for her not long ago
I was her number one
She told me so
And she still means the world to me
Just so you know
So be careful when you hold my girl
Time changes everything
Life must go on
And I'm not gonna stand in your way
But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But it still hard to give her away
I loved her first
How could that beautiful women with you
Be the same freckle face kid that I knew
The one that I read all those fairy tales to
And tucked into bed all those nights
And I knew the first time I saw you with her
It was only a matter of time
But I loved her first and I held her first
And a place in my heart will always be hers
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
And I prayed that she'd find you someday
But its still hard to give her away
I loved her first
From the first breath she breathed
When she first smiled at me
I knew the love of a father runs deep
Someday you might know what I'm going through
When a miracle smiles up at you
I loved her first
Tuesday 1 September 2015
Fasting?
If there is one thing i find absolutely challenging is...fasting...going without food whole day?? siwesmake!!
i read somewhere that if you are fasting and not praying, you are basically on hunger strike...hehehe....i liked that. Anyways, back to my relationship with food. So here i am...i say to myself, Hilda, you need to fast..its good for your soul and most definitely good for your waistline (say what?? i heard that.....yes, i do have a waistline....its now more like my midsection...but oh well....who is drawing lines right?) back to my 'issue'...so many times i wake up and decide leo ni leo...i will try this fasting thing...by 9am I am holding a hot mug and chapati convincing myself that breakfast is the most important meal....who wants to miss that??
I think i will just settle for 'fasting' of social media...that i can do better!!
i read somewhere that if you are fasting and not praying, you are basically on hunger strike...hehehe....i liked that. Anyways, back to my relationship with food. So here i am...i say to myself, Hilda, you need to fast..its good for your soul and most definitely good for your waistline (say what?? i heard that.....yes, i do have a waistline....its now more like my midsection...but oh well....who is drawing lines right?) back to my 'issue'...so many times i wake up and decide leo ni leo...i will try this fasting thing...by 9am I am holding a hot mug and chapati convincing myself that breakfast is the most important meal....who wants to miss that??
I think i will just settle for 'fasting' of social media...that i can do better!!
Wednesday 29 July 2015
Make-up and stuff
So one fine morning my lovely daughter is watching me getting ready for work....and then she asks....Mum...why dont you put on makeup when going to work??
taken aback, i ask...why?? Mama so-and-so always puts on makeup and she looks nice
woahhh....pressure..
...so today i put a little lipstick on my way out :)
taken aback, i ask...why?? Mama so-and-so always puts on makeup and she looks nice
woahhh....pressure..
...so today i put a little lipstick on my way out :)
Restless Soul
my soul is restless
cant seem to keep a thought for long
interest levels are down
my soul is restless
not sleeping well
more sensitive to comments
my soul is restless
feel urgent need to make a change
to make the change now
my soul is restless
i have more than me to think of
so cant just walk away from all this 'comfort'
my soul is restless
BUT, i have to be still
and trust my soul will rest
rest in HIM alone
....amina...
cant seem to keep a thought for long
interest levels are down
my soul is restless
not sleeping well
more sensitive to comments
my soul is restless
feel urgent need to make a change
to make the change now
my soul is restless
i have more than me to think of
so cant just walk away from all this 'comfort'
my soul is restless
BUT, i have to be still
and trust my soul will rest
rest in HIM alone
....amina...
Philipians 4: 6-9
Philipians 4: 2-9
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.9Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
This is one verse i have known for a long long time....why?? flashback to when am in class 2 - and our class was chosen to do the reading for the mass. This was a big deal and so the girl who was to read this verse read it for us in class for the WHOLE term and by the time, the day for the mass rolled in, we were all saying this verse with her!!
Power to teachers, gives a new meaning to making lil ones be prepared :)
Its beautiful verse, and am glad i memorised it that many years ago
Sunday 26 July 2015
Obama weekend!!
Hayawi Hayawi, mwisho, huwa.....meaning we have waited for so long for this visit and finally the historic day arrived!!
Yes the one and only President of the United States of America and son of Kenya (but do we say) jetted to an anxious Nairobi on Friday July 24th evening. It was rumored that the roads would be closed by 2pm and so we were thankfully given the day off!! Spent the day listening and reading on social media about Obama that even my youngest one by Friday could identify Obama in the newspaper!!
My middle one asks....Obama is from Kenya?? no he is from America......so will people in America miss him when he comes? ...me, no I don't think so....he normally travels around the world
Older one was just obsessed with The Beast and Marine 1 - asking question after question about what these equipment can really stand in terms of pressure.....
The excitement was for everyone!!!
He jetted in, made a small girl take a picture that will hopefully mean to her that even SHE can become whoever she wants to be!! and made his already accomplished sister Dr Auma Obama, famous by the warm hug and of course the envious ride in his official car. Had family at Kempinski with 36 members of his extended family - waaa.....am sure that one will cause problems for them later.....how to choose 36 from an extended family for such an occasion???!!!!!
Saturday rolled in and he attended the GES2015 summit (the reason why he was here)....a visibly excited Julie Gichuru gave them a warm welcome.....complete with an ariririririririririri...heheheh......Obama gave a short speech and the part I liked was of course reiterating the women are POWERHOUSE INVESTORS....CNN had earlier tried to rain on our parade and our President rose to the occasion with an apt rejoinder that Kenya is a hotbed of culture...and something else....well in Sir, well in - and of course Uhurus speech was on point!! His people stepped up to the plate on this one!!
Obama of course laid a wreath at the 1998 bombblast site and zoomed to statehouse for bilateral talks...I often wonder how these talks are done.....they look so formal.....the two sides are seating far apart, and even have microphones?? do they discuss, or just give each other positions and the rest take it up? do the others speak or only the Presidents?? are they timed, or go one until a compromise is reached?? I wonder....mmmhhhh.....
A press briefing followed and President Obama admits that he didn't know many of the family but will be glad to reconnect with them as a private citizen. Then in response to a journalist question on LGBTI he gave his view that he doesn't believe in discrimination on basis of any kind - this he had mentioned earlier to BBC in an interview that preceded his visit to Kenya......President Uhuru gave, I must say, a diplomatic and firm rejoinder....that for now, that is not a priority, we have bigger issues to deal with and focus on.
Evening was state dinner, nice seeing them dancing to sura yako mzuri mamaaaa......by Sauti Sol...and of course the wide smiles given when taking a lovely photo with Raila and Idah....
Sunday, he was off to Ethiopia, but before that....he addressed the nation via live broadcast and he was introduced by his sister Dr Auma Obama who said she waited 27 years for him to return the favour of riding in her VW Beatle, and now a ride in the Beast!! It was a warm speech - I loved it....and then a few hrs with civil society at KU - big lessons in making a pitch and I think Fauziah Ali and Linet (future Cardiologist) of Pangani, nailed it!!!
ehhh back to the grind....obamahangover!!
Yes the one and only President of the United States of America and son of Kenya (but do we say) jetted to an anxious Nairobi on Friday July 24th evening. It was rumored that the roads would be closed by 2pm and so we were thankfully given the day off!! Spent the day listening and reading on social media about Obama that even my youngest one by Friday could identify Obama in the newspaper!!
My middle one asks....Obama is from Kenya?? no he is from America......so will people in America miss him when he comes? ...me, no I don't think so....he normally travels around the world
Older one was just obsessed with The Beast and Marine 1 - asking question after question about what these equipment can really stand in terms of pressure.....
The excitement was for everyone!!!
He jetted in, made a small girl take a picture that will hopefully mean to her that even SHE can become whoever she wants to be!! and made his already accomplished sister Dr Auma Obama, famous by the warm hug and of course the envious ride in his official car. Had family at Kempinski with 36 members of his extended family - waaa.....am sure that one will cause problems for them later.....how to choose 36 from an extended family for such an occasion???!!!!!
Saturday rolled in and he attended the GES2015 summit (the reason why he was here)....a visibly excited Julie Gichuru gave them a warm welcome.....complete with an ariririririririririri...heheheh......Obama gave a short speech and the part I liked was of course reiterating the women are POWERHOUSE INVESTORS....CNN had earlier tried to rain on our parade and our President rose to the occasion with an apt rejoinder that Kenya is a hotbed of culture...and something else....well in Sir, well in - and of course Uhurus speech was on point!! His people stepped up to the plate on this one!!
Obama of course laid a wreath at the 1998 bombblast site and zoomed to statehouse for bilateral talks...I often wonder how these talks are done.....they look so formal.....the two sides are seating far apart, and even have microphones?? do they discuss, or just give each other positions and the rest take it up? do the others speak or only the Presidents?? are they timed, or go one until a compromise is reached?? I wonder....mmmhhhh.....
A press briefing followed and President Obama admits that he didn't know many of the family but will be glad to reconnect with them as a private citizen. Then in response to a journalist question on LGBTI he gave his view that he doesn't believe in discrimination on basis of any kind - this he had mentioned earlier to BBC in an interview that preceded his visit to Kenya......President Uhuru gave, I must say, a diplomatic and firm rejoinder....that for now, that is not a priority, we have bigger issues to deal with and focus on.
Evening was state dinner, nice seeing them dancing to sura yako mzuri mamaaaa......by Sauti Sol...and of course the wide smiles given when taking a lovely photo with Raila and Idah....
Sunday, he was off to Ethiopia, but before that....he addressed the nation via live broadcast and he was introduced by his sister Dr Auma Obama who said she waited 27 years for him to return the favour of riding in her VW Beatle, and now a ride in the Beast!! It was a warm speech - I loved it....and then a few hrs with civil society at KU - big lessons in making a pitch and I think Fauziah Ali and Linet (future Cardiologist) of Pangani, nailed it!!!
ehhh back to the grind....obamahangover!!
Tuesday 21 July 2015
Family tree
The other day I set out to see whether I could chart out a family tree for my kids
The connections were so many the diagram made no sense at all..and of course, since for such dilemmas one promptly turns to Dr Google and sure enough there are so many templates available. I was looking for the free one to download but kept being taken to trial pages...so I have abandoned this mission for a while! but note to self....I really need to do this one of these days!!
The connections were so many the diagram made no sense at all..and of course, since for such dilemmas one promptly turns to Dr Google and sure enough there are so many templates available. I was looking for the free one to download but kept being taken to trial pages...so I have abandoned this mission for a while! but note to self....I really need to do this one of these days!!
Saying No
Saying No
is sometimes easier said than done
needs to be said at that moment
else, its construed as a Yes
and oh that bad feeling you get
when you loose that
that moment!!
is sometimes easier said than done
needs to be said at that moment
else, its construed as a Yes
and oh that bad feeling you get
when you loose that
that moment!!
Wednesday 8 July 2015
Maralal
Maralal
Am told that it means mirage
That once long ago, given the location, always had a mirage of water, and herders walk their animals towards it, in the hope of finding this precious liquid.
I used to come here often from 2005 to 2010....but this stopped when project ended and now in 2015, am back again. I write this from a guest house room near center of town....
When I came back in Feb this year, the 'development' were quite evident.....especially the street lights running through the main street, that was a pleasant surprise. Many buildings are coming up and this for sure will change the face of this town. Now in June there is tarmac being made as you enter Maralal....next time maybe there will be a 5 star hotel here!!
Am told that it means mirage
That once long ago, given the location, always had a mirage of water, and herders walk their animals towards it, in the hope of finding this precious liquid.
I used to come here often from 2005 to 2010....but this stopped when project ended and now in 2015, am back again. I write this from a guest house room near center of town....
When I came back in Feb this year, the 'development' were quite evident.....especially the street lights running through the main street, that was a pleasant surprise. Many buildings are coming up and this for sure will change the face of this town. Now in June there is tarmac being made as you enter Maralal....next time maybe there will be a 5 star hotel here!!
Saturday 4 July 2015
Searching for that CPA!
So today I sort of went for a career fair for secondary
school girls as a mentor, but as luck would have it, I completely missed out on
the news about the diabetes walk, so was stuck on the road and arrived a cool 2
hrs late…the guest of honor was quite inspiring, and I was looking forward to
the afternoon one on one sessions. I had to leave earlier than planned for
another event, but I digress…..
Anyways, during Q&A, one girl
asked what happens when you are not sure what you want to do. What do you
choose then?? And this was deja vue to me…you see, truth be told, I never was
very very clear about what I wanted to pursue, but since my twin was clear she
wanted to work in a bank (translate, doing finance), she was signed on to a CPA
class and I tagged along. So that’s how I found myself in (the then brand
new) Strathmore college at Nairobi West in early 1995. I did CPA section I and
II pretty fast…so I had 4 more sections to go.....but then joined university in Eldoret!
After joining campus doing something totally unrelated, I took my
time to clear section III and IV. Basically it was self-study and it took a lot
of will power to read for these sections!! I remember one of the papers I sat
for the exams in Kenya Polytechnic – I was on campus break - and after that
paper, I went to the bus stage to get matatu to Langata. Wacha its starts
raining hizo za fujo. I don’t know what convinced the driver to short cut
through the pot holed ridden South C! Needless to say, the matatu coughed and
coughed and finally stopped! We all had to alight in the pouring rain to push
the matt….all this at around 8pm and the next day I had two more papers….never
felt so sorry for myself like that day….and to think I passed that set of papers
despite the transport hitch!
I also once sat for one of the exams in Eldoret town and
that morning we were several of us standing at the campus gate waiting for an
early matt and this guy came in a pick
up and asked if we wanted to ride to town. Of course we did as it would mean we
also save on bus fare…Eldoret air is normally crisp….Eldoret air as you seat at
the back of a pickup is more than crisp….waaaa…..si we froze!! Haha…and at
least I made new friends from that experience. So after section III and IV… I took
a longggggg break
After several years I told myself I simply had to finish
these papers (2 remaining sections). At that time my MBA was also at the ‘ongoing’ status and so this
was not a good picture. Since I had been out of reading for a while, I joined
one of the packed colleges in town that offer CPAs so as to be able to increase
my chances to passing the papers. I was expectant with my second born and these
stuffy rooms were not so conducive for my light tummy…several times I had to
ran out of the room because of the sheer ‘smell’ in the room given my heightened sensitivities….arrggghhhh…I
don’t even want to remember! I sat one of the final sets of papers in KPPCU - that place near Muthurwa...the dust!! and since the students are seated as per admission numbers, after all these years, I was certain I would be placed as first one in the corner, can you imagine there were 4 people with older numbers than mine!! hii CPA lazima imalizike!
So in 2007 when I finally cleared CPAs and got my results, I
was so excited I immediately signed up as a member of ICPAK and AWAK, just so
that finally I can say for sure I am a Finance professional!!
Thursday 25 June 2015
Hurry, hurry, quick, quick...
So recently as I was heading home, I saw this lady dragging her not so happy kid along the streets and this instantly brought back memories!!
Flashback to mid eighties growing up in Nairobi and generally, going into town center was not a matter of routine unless of course it was a school day and you had to go to school (I was in a primary school in the middle of town!)
Anyways, it was a real treat when Mum selected one of us to take her to town. But before heading out, she had to lay the ground rules....hakuna kulia....hakuna kusema umechoka.....hakuna kusema you are hungry......and the list was endless.....so you find yourself in town....literally running beside her (she walks very very fast) and of course with time.....the treat is no longer a treat.....but indeed you are tired, you are hungry, you want to cry.....but remembering the rules.....you hang on; fighting back tears!! LOL....of course Mum knows you are tired so soon you enter an eatery and can have some soda/snacks...those were the days!!...simple things in life.....
Fastforward to today....and I still find myself doing the same thing. We pile into the car and I ask the kids to say the rules themselves (participatory approaches....hehehehehe) and since they already know them....the recite them without effort (of course, specifically add that sitalilia chips and only one item allowed when we enter the supermarket!!!)
I have become my Mum!! Not bad....not bad at all
Flashback to mid eighties growing up in Nairobi and generally, going into town center was not a matter of routine unless of course it was a school day and you had to go to school (I was in a primary school in the middle of town!)
Anyways, it was a real treat when Mum selected one of us to take her to town. But before heading out, she had to lay the ground rules....hakuna kulia....hakuna kusema umechoka.....hakuna kusema you are hungry......and the list was endless.....so you find yourself in town....literally running beside her (she walks very very fast) and of course with time.....the treat is no longer a treat.....but indeed you are tired, you are hungry, you want to cry.....but remembering the rules.....you hang on; fighting back tears!! LOL....of course Mum knows you are tired so soon you enter an eatery and can have some soda/snacks...those were the days!!...simple things in life.....
Fastforward to today....and I still find myself doing the same thing. We pile into the car and I ask the kids to say the rules themselves (participatory approaches....hehehehehe) and since they already know them....the recite them without effort (of course, specifically add that sitalilia chips and only one item allowed when we enter the supermarket!!!)
I have become my Mum!! Not bad....not bad at all
Saturday 16 May 2015
Plus one??
So I promised a friend I would be their Plus one
when they go to the maternity ward
...seeing as I was , by then, already mother to 2
...on material day, I was present
...but waaaa
...I could not do it
..I just could not stand the pain she was going thru
..thank God another friend came over took over 'the role' and
...note to file
...do not volunteer for such noble tasks unless you have the ***for it!!
when they go to the maternity ward
...seeing as I was , by then, already mother to 2
...on material day, I was present
...but waaaa
...I could not do it
..I just could not stand the pain she was going thru
..thank God another friend came over took over 'the role' and
...note to file
...do not volunteer for such noble tasks unless you have the ***for it!!
Thursday 30 April 2015
Very first job...and the risk involved
So there I was fresh from campus…..eager to make my mark in
this big big world. Went for several interviews here and there…none materialized….but
one called me back and I started working as a Marketing Executive (what does
this mean really??). I was together with
a team of about 7 charged with the responsibility of ensuring we get
people to advertise in the two magazines ran by the company – i.e. we were to
sell space. Oh my…what a difficult task…hats off to all those people in sales!!
While some of us had it rough trying to get people even remotely interested in
the smallest space, there are those who played in the big league and got
companies to do center spreads….and for 12 consecutive months, to boot!! Luck
chaps….we sat and admired them as their bonuses were announced at the monthly
meeting!! The silver lining was that
after those 3 mths I learnt came to know many buildings in Nairobi by their
names and street because that’s how the person you call would identify their
office, and you would have to look for it (no Google maps then, sorry!)
Anyways, where am I going with this...ah yes, I have
remembered. Today I took a matt and because of the heavy (end month) jam, we
were unceremoniously told to alight downtown…near the dreaded Grogon….the place
I call Nairobi Half Life…. I remembered how I walked into this street many
years ago, oblivious of how dangerous it can be to the new person….Now back to the
story about my first job. One of the many calls I made to prospective clients
yielded an appointment and yes it was on this dreaded street – Kirinyaga Rd. I walked
confidently as per the way I was told on phone but somehow managed to loose direction.
So I walked into this vehicle spareparts shop and spoke to this elderly looking
guy who was standing behind the counter and I asked him directions to a
particular spareparts shop. He didn’t even ask me why I was looking for this
shop….incidentally I had almost reached....it was right round the corner!! But his
next sentence chilled me….he said ‘…please, please, don’t ask anyone else for
direction….go straight there and leave!!’. Eh, I left for the other shop and
needless to say didn’t even get the muhindi spare parts man to book a space in
the magazine, and the way I had risked my life!!
Wednesday 29 April 2015
Rains and shakey planes
So am seating at the Kisumu airport waiting for my 1830 flight. Its 4.30pm so am pretty early and not many people have come. I call someone who stays in Kisumu outskirts and they tell me its already raining alot where they are...i silently pray that the rain holds off till we at least are airborne...needless to stay it starts pouring heavily soon after i disconnect this call. Its raining...and raining...a lot.. and the dark clouds seem to be getting darker!!.I wonder whether the flight will be canceled.....thankfully after about 1 hour the rain stops and the flight from Nairobi comes in....phewwwww...at least this is a good sign. At 6.15pm we are called to board and given temporary rain coats made of light polythene...can hardly fit my large frame, so i cover my head and basically jog to the equipment (thats what they are called in some circles)....there is a delay since we have to board one at a time and the zealous attendant wants to check each and every boarding pass!! am tempting to shout, heyyyy we are being rained on! but i hold my cool.....shortly after am seated and we take off . The flight attendant is called Vivian...and its a guy...maybe i heard the name wrong...he gives us instructions....no extra hand to help demonstrate 'the safety features aboard this aircraft' and basically has to put the 'phone' that is talking to us with, back to its case and then demonstrate....anyways, i dont bother much since my mind is already in Nairobi
we taxi off and i silently count to 21 before take off, normally its around 28-30 counts before take off, so i guess also Captain wishes to get us to Nairobi quick fast.....its quite bumpy as we take a bit of time to get through the clouds...zealous Vivian takes to the 'phone' again and informs us about this. Am not one to stand up and use the '..wash rooms located at the front of the plane to the right..' so this piece of info is really not for me...i just wanna get hommmeee!!
wacha now as we start our descent into JKIA....ehhhh....the plane was dropping and leaving my tummy in the air...sema pure fright!! dear Lord, i normally don't fear flying but this one was a winner....my neighbour was amused....she asks....you're scared?? am like YEAHHHHHH.....she say ati another time the plane was actually shaking - so this is nothing...and it doesn't frighten her one bit....and for sure she looked so composed.....eh, i honestly felt like we were 'temwad' by the cloudy skies into JKIA...never been so happy to be on land again....
eh...wacha tuu!!
we taxi off and i silently count to 21 before take off, normally its around 28-30 counts before take off, so i guess also Captain wishes to get us to Nairobi quick fast.....its quite bumpy as we take a bit of time to get through the clouds...zealous Vivian takes to the 'phone' again and informs us about this. Am not one to stand up and use the '..wash rooms located at the front of the plane to the right..' so this piece of info is really not for me...i just wanna get hommmeee!!
wacha now as we start our descent into JKIA....ehhhh....the plane was dropping and leaving my tummy in the air...sema pure fright!! dear Lord, i normally don't fear flying but this one was a winner....my neighbour was amused....she asks....you're scared?? am like YEAHHHHHH.....she say ati another time the plane was actually shaking - so this is nothing...and it doesn't frighten her one bit....and for sure she looked so composed.....eh, i honestly felt like we were 'temwad' by the cloudy skies into JKIA...never been so happy to be on land again....
eh...wacha tuu!!
Saturday 25 April 2015
Field trips
Field trips are normally a welcome break.....especially when it comes hot on the hills of an intensive week at the office. was therefore glad for 3 days off mid week to breath the fresh air of merti...challenge is that is far far away and the exhaustion of seating in a car for 12 hr journey can take a toil on my knees. back in nairobi now.....
Wednesday 4 March 2015
Form 4 results
Now that the results were released yesterday and some of my friends have children with very good grades, makes me wonder how i would be if i had a child in form 4 now!! Interesting....that would mean i would had to have had the child while still at the university - the very thought still freaks me out. I think am a safe player, so all this anxiety that parents feel will be my portion in 4 years time....so help me God!
Saturday 21 February 2015
Working on Saturdays
Am seating here at my desk on a glorious Saturday morning....and laughing at myself at the way i had effectively stopped this habit of working over weekends. Over 10 years ago when working with a local NGO, working over weekends was normal to me...to a point where it, to some extent, became an expectation!!
i told myself, this is one habit i will definately not encourage if i move jobs....and so far, i have managed!! but times like this when, i can see that next week will be packed, i need to get some pending work off my desk
let me get back to work
i told myself, this is one habit i will definately not encourage if i move jobs....and so far, i have managed!! but times like this when, i can see that next week will be packed, i need to get some pending work off my desk
let me get back to work
Tuesday 3 February 2015
Heat and Opulence!
Wrote this in July 2013...
Never been to the Middle East before…can’t count the one
stop over I had in Dubai some years ago.
I was therefore more than excited to be visiting Doha –
capital city of Qatar….checked online for most affordable tickets and of course
Etihad came out tops. Booked ticket and was ready to go. The flight was some 4 hours to Abu Dhabi,
stop over for two hours then less than one hour flight to Doha. We were late
leaving Nairobi and so this two hour stop in Abu Dhabi was compromised….reached
well, and ran to next stop, but by the time we reached there we had already
been bumped off since our bags ‘could not make it in time’. Long and short of it is that flight was to be
at 9.50pm and I ended up in the one at 4.55am!!
Anyways, less than one hour later we were in Doha, it has
one hour time difference with Abu dhabi, but same time as Nairobi. Looking out
of the plane, the sun has already risen and all I can see is miles and miles of
desert….reclaimed into this city. From the plane took a long bus ride to next
stop where were to alight and go to baggage claim (at least my bag was
there!)….Sam was on hand to meet me…was so tired didn’t notice much of the
airport…..took a taxi driven by a Kenyan with an interesting twang (wonder about that)….apparently there are many
Kenyans here who drive for this government owned taxi company called Karwa. Not
far to where Sam stays…I was so tired, as soon as Sam took off to work I slept
like a baby!! That evening we took a walk around the place…..still warm in the
evening…..but better that mid day of course. Next day was Thursday and I
basically watched movies as Sam was still at work. Evening we went to this
hotel that had a Kenyan night with none other than DJ Joe Mfalme of Capital FM
spinning the decks….was great!! Many Kenyans!! And I realise that most are so
young….around 25 years!! For sure watu hutafuta mbali!!
Friday there is no work for Sam…and anyways since we slept
at 4am, half the day was spent recovering….later in the day we went to this
massive shopping mall called Villagio……….wow….yaani, don’t know what to
say…..let’s just say it was impressive….many women are veiled, but many also
are not….was worried may have to wear long robes only!! There are many
Philipinoes and Indians…with their families…….the mall has an ice rink…..and
the aircon is so low, you would need a sweater!! The shops are the usual brands
found in malls…men are walking around with long white robes and head gear that
make them look like royalty!! …this is the last weekend before ramadhan starts
and maybe that’s why its so full of people…..on leaving of course as we wait
for taxi, we can see all manner of cars in the parking bay of the mall….i mean,
wanapenda GMC sanaaaaaaaaaaa……….plus all manner of posh cars…aiiii…evidence of
wealth is all around….
Sato, same drill….back to the mall to complete the mission.
I love malls, that’s all am gonna say!! Anyways, Sunday work for sam, so spent
day packing and watching movies….had
carried over 70 movies for Sam thanks to Weety & Jose….to the
airport at midnight, flight at 4am reached Nairobi at nearly 2pm…summary, don’t
say the sun is out there here……huko uarabuni, the sun and its people come out
to play daily!!!
Monday 2 February 2015
Baptism
So this year am gonna be a God parent....this is my second time in this (now that i know) noble task
We had to go through some sessions where various topics were discussed. The first one, on a loose Wednesday evening, the guy spoke so passionately about PRAISING God..that i had to google some more info on it!!
Question: "What does it mean to give a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15)?"
Answer:Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." The terms "sacrifice" and "praise" might seem to be opposites. We think of sacrifice as offering something at great cost to ourselves. Praise, on the other hand, sounds joyful as it bubbles from a grateful heart. However, in the spiritual realm, sacrifice and praise are intertwined.
Praise does not always cost us something. We praise our dogs for fetching the ball and people for a job well done. Praise is often our response to some action that directly benefits us, and we feel generous because we extend it. We often find it easy to praise God from the same motivation. When He has blessed us, helped us, and protected us, we feel generous toward Him. We can sing, worship, and talk about how good He is because we can see it. That kind of praise, although worthwhile, does not cost us anything. It is not a sacrifice.
Then there are those times when God did not come through the way we thought He would. The medical test comes back positive. The spouse wants a divorce. A child is wayward. The mortgage company calls in the loan. God seems very far away, and praise is the last thing to bubble up from our hearts. We can't see His goodness, and circumstances scream that He has forgotten us.
To praise God in those times requires personal sacrifice. It takes an act of the will to lay our all on the altar before a God we don't understand. When we bring a "sacrifice of praise," we choose to believe that, even though life is not going as we think it should, God is still good and can be trusted (Psalm 135:2;Nahum 1:7). When we choose to praise God in spite of the storms, He is honored, and our faith grows deeper (Malachi 3:13-17;Job 13:15).
The command inHebrews 13:15says that this sacrifice is to be offered "continually." Our praise of God is not to be based on our opinion of His job performance. Praise cannot be treated as a "reward" we give God for His obvious blessings.Isaiah 29:13says, "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Real praise continues regardless of circumstances. It flows continually from a worshiping heart in good times and bad (Acts 16:23-25).
The "sacrifice of praise" comes from a humble heart that has been purified by fire. It rises from a spirit that has chosen to honor God in spite of the pain that life is causing.Psalm 51:16-17expresses this idea best when it says, "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."
Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/sacrifice-of-praise.html#ixzz3QacV5Gbp
We had to go through some sessions where various topics were discussed. The first one, on a loose Wednesday evening, the guy spoke so passionately about PRAISING God..that i had to google some more info on it!!
Question: "What does it mean to give a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15)?"
Answer:Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name." The terms "sacrifice" and "praise" might seem to be opposites. We think of sacrifice as offering something at great cost to ourselves. Praise, on the other hand, sounds joyful as it bubbles from a grateful heart. However, in the spiritual realm, sacrifice and praise are intertwined.
Praise does not always cost us something. We praise our dogs for fetching the ball and people for a job well done. Praise is often our response to some action that directly benefits us, and we feel generous because we extend it. We often find it easy to praise God from the same motivation. When He has blessed us, helped us, and protected us, we feel generous toward Him. We can sing, worship, and talk about how good He is because we can see it. That kind of praise, although worthwhile, does not cost us anything. It is not a sacrifice.
Then there are those times when God did not come through the way we thought He would. The medical test comes back positive. The spouse wants a divorce. A child is wayward. The mortgage company calls in the loan. God seems very far away, and praise is the last thing to bubble up from our hearts. We can't see His goodness, and circumstances scream that He has forgotten us.
To praise God in those times requires personal sacrifice. It takes an act of the will to lay our all on the altar before a God we don't understand. When we bring a "sacrifice of praise," we choose to believe that, even though life is not going as we think it should, God is still good and can be trusted (Psalm 135:2;Nahum 1:7). When we choose to praise God in spite of the storms, He is honored, and our faith grows deeper (Malachi 3:13-17;Job 13:15).
The command inHebrews 13:15says that this sacrifice is to be offered "continually." Our praise of God is not to be based on our opinion of His job performance. Praise cannot be treated as a "reward" we give God for His obvious blessings.Isaiah 29:13says, "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Real praise continues regardless of circumstances. It flows continually from a worshiping heart in good times and bad (Acts 16:23-25).
The "sacrifice of praise" comes from a humble heart that has been purified by fire. It rises from a spirit that has chosen to honor God in spite of the pain that life is causing.Psalm 51:16-17expresses this idea best when it says, "You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise."
Read more:http://www.gotquestions.org/sacrifice-of-praise.html#ixzz3QacV5Gbp
Monday 26 January 2015
scary nairobery!
Today I came face to face with one of my worst fears
A lady seating in a matt I was in lost her handbag in a split second...a street boy slowly walked up to the open window and snatched her bag!! we were all so shaken...so sad for her....the lady next to her offered to go with her as someone she knew sent her mpesa so that she can make her way home
needless to say I quickly removed my earrings, my watch...in an attempt to be as incognito as possible
yaani am so scared of such events, wacha tuu
images of my lost bag of course flashes back....I lost my bag many years ago in a restaurant...and from then on I have a special attachment to my bag
sign
Nairobi Nairobi.....tutapelekana wapi!!!
A lady seating in a matt I was in lost her handbag in a split second...a street boy slowly walked up to the open window and snatched her bag!! we were all so shaken...so sad for her....the lady next to her offered to go with her as someone she knew sent her mpesa so that she can make her way home
needless to say I quickly removed my earrings, my watch...in an attempt to be as incognito as possible
yaani am so scared of such events, wacha tuu
images of my lost bag of course flashes back....I lost my bag many years ago in a restaurant...and from then on I have a special attachment to my bag
sign
Nairobi Nairobi.....tutapelekana wapi!!!
Sunday 25 January 2015
Loyalty Nayo?
So am minding my own business in a matt some days ago
then this Ugandan song starts playing on radio...the guy sounds so much like Nameless!!
In my mind am like...aiiii....surely....how can this guy dub Nameless's sound kabisa.....lazy musician that's what he is...I wanted to send message to someone, but could not do so right away, given that paranoid me doesn't use my phone in matts
hehehe...you can imagine how I felt when DJ said that that was Nameless new song called Butterfly (or something like that)
Loyalty nayo?
then this Ugandan song starts playing on radio...the guy sounds so much like Nameless!!
In my mind am like...aiiii....surely....how can this guy dub Nameless's sound kabisa.....lazy musician that's what he is...I wanted to send message to someone, but could not do so right away, given that paranoid me doesn't use my phone in matts
hehehe...you can imagine how I felt when DJ said that that was Nameless new song called Butterfly (or something like that)
Loyalty nayo?
Saturday 24 January 2015
Cognitive dissonance
I was determined to have my hair done today
Its one of those lazy Saturdays that you don't want to do anything but laze around the house. But I had to go to the salon and have this natural hair of mine tamed, makes it more manageable for the next two weeks at least. The lady was busy seeing as it was 2pm and she asked that I come back after two hours. so I trooped in at 4pm (with the kids and neighbor kids in tow) and she was indeed finalizing on the last client she had. I sat patiently and some young man was called to wash my hair in preparation. He did a good job I must say save for the over zealous head massage he gave me...hope I don't get a headache from all that!
Anyways, so finally twas my turn and I was categorical...I want the hair done this way...and she nodded in understanding...Now of course I have to remove my specs when my hair is being done and so I didn't really appreciate the huge lines she was doing...I put on my specs and lo and behold....me not happy...told her to redo one line and she was not happy.....she redid it anyways....cognitive dissonance...should have done another hairstyle!!
Its one of those lazy Saturdays that you don't want to do anything but laze around the house. But I had to go to the salon and have this natural hair of mine tamed, makes it more manageable for the next two weeks at least. The lady was busy seeing as it was 2pm and she asked that I come back after two hours. so I trooped in at 4pm (with the kids and neighbor kids in tow) and she was indeed finalizing on the last client she had. I sat patiently and some young man was called to wash my hair in preparation. He did a good job I must say save for the over zealous head massage he gave me...hope I don't get a headache from all that!
Anyways, so finally twas my turn and I was categorical...I want the hair done this way...and she nodded in understanding...Now of course I have to remove my specs when my hair is being done and so I didn't really appreciate the huge lines she was doing...I put on my specs and lo and behold....me not happy...told her to redo one line and she was not happy.....she redid it anyways....cognitive dissonance...should have done another hairstyle!!
Thursday 15 January 2015
Law courts and stuff
So Jan 8th was my last day of leave
As luck would have it, I needed to show solidarity with them as they found themselves in Traffic court...and this is how I spent my day. Having had my one day stint in these law courts as well not so long ago...I knew this was a whole day affair. I braced myself for this long day...and in all the rush actually forgot to buy me a newspaper!!
Anyways I reached the court at 10am and rushed to court number 9 - see I even know where it is (having been here before). The place was empty but a couple of people were outside waiting. I made a call to my contact and was informed that the court would start at 11am...da**...should have take some breakfast. I sat down and started the long wait. There is something about the courts that make people seem so subdued!! I looked at people around me and wondered what kind of traffic offence they had committed. most didn't look like they would hurt a fly!
Eleven came and for sure, the 'inmates' were led in and we were told to seat in another court room. by 1pm said friend has been slapped with a considerable amount as fine and so we (and another friend who came along) rushed to neighbouring bank to make the deposit that would secure his release. Cant help but wonder how much the government collects in fines...this was a loose Thursday and the quick math we didn't show a modest amount!! Lesson - obey traffic rules please else you end up contributing to government projects, and you are already paying taxes for that!!
we were done by 2pm (phew) and walked to town via Uhuru park and had a huge lunch in one of those Somali restaurants that serve food fit for a King ( a Queen and his subjects!! ie huge portions). Since the car was impounded, I gave up on accompanying them to Ruaraka to collect it...the sun was all out and I was still sleepy, having barely slept the night before (that's a story for another day)!
As luck would have it, I needed to show solidarity with them as they found themselves in Traffic court...and this is how I spent my day. Having had my one day stint in these law courts as well not so long ago...I knew this was a whole day affair. I braced myself for this long day...and in all the rush actually forgot to buy me a newspaper!!
Anyways I reached the court at 10am and rushed to court number 9 - see I even know where it is (having been here before). The place was empty but a couple of people were outside waiting. I made a call to my contact and was informed that the court would start at 11am...da**...should have take some breakfast. I sat down and started the long wait. There is something about the courts that make people seem so subdued!! I looked at people around me and wondered what kind of traffic offence they had committed. most didn't look like they would hurt a fly!
Eleven came and for sure, the 'inmates' were led in and we were told to seat in another court room. by 1pm said friend has been slapped with a considerable amount as fine and so we (and another friend who came along) rushed to neighbouring bank to make the deposit that would secure his release. Cant help but wonder how much the government collects in fines...this was a loose Thursday and the quick math we didn't show a modest amount!! Lesson - obey traffic rules please else you end up contributing to government projects, and you are already paying taxes for that!!
we were done by 2pm (phew) and walked to town via Uhuru park and had a huge lunch in one of those Somali restaurants that serve food fit for a King ( a Queen and his subjects!! ie huge portions). Since the car was impounded, I gave up on accompanying them to Ruaraka to collect it...the sun was all out and I was still sleepy, having barely slept the night before (that's a story for another day)!
First one...
One of my new years resolutions was that I will indeed keep a blog of what am learning....since turning 40 in 2014, I take nothing for granted. so here goes....Min Krasi now has a blog....yeahhh...
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