Guard the starting point!

Reflections on Life!

I heard this quote once and it stuck with me...it doesn't go wrong, it STARTS wrong!

This is so true for so many circumstances

Whereas I do believe that all things will eventually work together for our good (Romans 8:28), for those who trust in the Lord, the truth is that we do make decisions in life that guarantee us a long period of suffering /strife before we experience light.  But this should not always be the case!

So how does one communicate to others especially the young ones who are starting off in life?

Lets do it with an acronym

S  - Self awareness is key. Be conscious of who you are and what you are about. Take time to learn about yourself and your non-negotiables. Understand what made who you are today (you are a sum total of your past experiences), what has informed the choices you make/ will make; who are the main influencers in your life and what value they bring- all this so that your antenna can be high up on what you want for yourself in this beautiful life! 

T - Time is precious. Go through life with some sense of urgency. I remember periods of my life where I just went with the flow. No project in mind, no self deadlines...niko tuu! and with time...boom...its five years later and you wonder where the time went!

A - Adapt and Agile.  Learn quickly from mistakes (yours and that of others) and move on with it. No need to stay in one place because you feel comfortable in it. Someone once said that there is no growth in comfort, and for sure no comfort in growth!

R - Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice (Philippians 4:4) . Being anchored in the Lords word will be a game changer! Go to church! Connect with like minded people. Be challenged by the Gospel  - to do more for the Kingdom!

T - Treasury - money money money! it does make the world go round. Have a plan for how you will get money and how you will invest it! Build a culture of investing early on in your life, and there is nothing like its too little to invest; and leaving money in the bank is not an investment channel!

It doesn't go wrong....it probably started wrong...so guard your starting point!

There you go, wisdom from the MinK Jubilee corner!

Peace!

Whirlwinds that swept Oct/Nov 2024

 What a period...October & November!

On 9th Nov I was at a funeral in Muranga - just less than 90min drive from Nairobi, in solidarity with a friend from high school as she laid to rest her beloved Mother. The ceremony was filled in song and dance (characterized by lots of jumping) from the Church of God congregation adorned in colourful long pleated dresses/skirts and equally colourful headgear. I honestly assumed they were Akorino but seems it is different. Either way, it was sad and I can only imagine what loosing a matriarch feels like....May God rest her soul in eternal peace

Across Kenya, in rural Siaya, another friend from high school was laying her beloved husband to rest. From the live stream, and also press updates, the ceremony was huge and had so many political honchos present. I pray that amidst all the hype around the circumstances of his passing, that for sure justice prevails and her and her family find peace in this whirlwind!

Just days before this, a lady I got to know when we went to Rome for CWA in May 2023 succumbed to cancer...a battle she had fought for 10years! Dear Lord have mercy....she was laid to rest on Nov 6

and while that news was sinking in, another lady, also in the Rome entourage, collapsed and died! ai ai

For sure all this cannot be understood by our mortal minds!

May our Good Lord show himself to all these families as only HE can.

November is the month we remember the faithful departed

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God,

rest in peace

Amen

So what was the world like in 1974?

 I checked the internets

and here are some interesting events that happened in 1974

1. President Richard Nixon resigns following the Watergate scandal - becoming the first American president to resign from office

2. George Foreman & Muhammed Ali boxing match in Zaire dubbed Rumble in the Jungle - Foreman was knocked out in the 8th round. Oct 1974

3. Riara Group of Schools was started in 1974 - the site for Riara road primary was once a kindergarten that catered for the European population that had moved to Nairobi before Kenyas independence in 1963. Prof Eddah Gachukia acquired the school and renamed it Riara Kindergarten

4. Post-it notes were invented in 1974!

5. The Rubiks cube, one of the most popular toys of all time, was invented in 1974 by Hungarian architecture professor, Erno Rubik. He used the cube to present info about spatial relationships to his students in a more interesting and compelling way!

6. The famous People Magazine hit the stands for the first time in March 1974

7. World Vision Kenya began operations here in 1974~!

8...others?

--end--

This is 50!

The day is here!

I am 50; 50 whole years

imagine that!

thanks be to God for allowing me to reach this my big age

My prayer for the next decade of my life is

Philippians 4: 4

Rejoice in the Lord always

and again I say, REJOICE!

What does rejoicing mean to me

 - i choose JOY

 - radical acceptance

 - self care

- to delight in my present moment

- inner peace

 and 

 - deeper connection to God

Amen!

Happy birthday to me :)

 - 

Reflections to 50 - How we got to be in Miami!

So years ago (2009 to be precise) when my twin & I turned 35 - we stumbled upon a (highly subsidized) trip by Standard Chartered newly launched pink Diva Debit card to South Africa! it was amazing and we were like 70 women from different walks of life. The trip was basically touring various parts of Johannesburg and shopping shopping shopping....my kind of trip! 

and with that we caught the travel bug!

My sis and I agreed there and then that we shall travel again together when we turn 40. This time round, we were joined by 4 of my sisters friends and we found ourselves in Dubai in 2014; i really enjoyed Dubai...

At the end of Dubai trip we agreed again that when we turn 45 we shall mark it in the BIG APPLE! and for sure we did it! but we were only 3 who made it for that trip.. (Life happened...) 

and in New York we once again discussed where next when we turn 50 and agreed...we plan for an experience that we have never had..and so the idea of a CRUISE was put on the table; and I roped in Chox gals -and they ran with it, and there were 11 ladies this time round!!! EPIC

who knows where next......

**oh, and one minor detail....we don't just get up and pay for a trip! we save intentionally for each and every experience :)

Thanks be to God that all these plans are laid by mere mortals and God allows them to happen right on schedule!!

Reflections to 50 - Cruise trip, a logistical marvel

 So we went on a cruise

Yes!

Imagine that...all the way to Miami Florida and we sailed for 7 days!

what an experience...loved every moment

so much to write about!!

as someone who is in Operations, let me just start with the sheer logistics of running such a tight ship....literally!

I can imagine that they sat down, identified all the point which would have bottle necks and resolved them!

 - at the point of entry, the large suitcases have to be tagged with tags that had already been emailed to us, which we were required to print so that once you get to the entry point, you simply just drop off your bags and they will get delivered outside your cabin within 2hrs - for all 4000 passengers!

 - when you enter the ship you are given a card that is the one that will help you deal while inside the ship. The card will be used to access your cabin, when purchasing drinks/refreshments, when exiting the ship when it docks..with this one card, they can have real time intel on so much information regarding movement of people (they will for sure know immediately who has been left in one of the stop overs!) and stock of drinks etc

 - the food was available in huge quantities from 6am to midnight! to prepare such quantities of food and it remains interesting and fresh till the end of the cruise is really something! Cant imagine the number of chefs and kitchen staff they need to have - they seemed to be everywhere..replenishing the food, clearing tables, bringing in new cutlery etc - no long queues to the delicacy one desires...amazing!

 - the ship is clean - I mean the rooms are checked twice a day and towels replenished, the corridors and other common areas are clean - all this is made possible by the staff - the brief must be  - clean continously!

 - the entertainment was so varied and planned for each night - from jazz songs, to large concert performances, to karaoke, to silent discos, piano music..to put together various performances  fit for every night and happening in various corners of the ship is just wonderful!

 - not to mention the sheer size of the ship...19 decks (floors)...weuhh!!

So many logistical angles that as we were enjoying ourselves, I wondered whether any crisis occurred while we were at sea....

Wow!

Reflections to 50 - missed many days!

Today is September 3 - 23 days to 50

I missed many days since I was away for close to 3 weeks

So i will pick this up from here

God is good!!

Yaani this experience to mark turning 1/2 a century was EPIC!

From Doha, to Miami, to the Cruise that passed Jamaica/Mexico/near Bahamas to St Louis

So many stories to tell

Muda ndio sina!

am thankful

Reflections to 50 - Day 37 The Summit

 Today is Tuesday Aug 20

Am thinking about my sisters Flo & Gety

we call ourselves The Summit

we are the 3 eldest children of Mzee Mawanda (the late) & Mama Grace

we fancy ourselves as leaders of the pack....hehehehehe

growing up we did a lot of stuff together

i love us!

Reflections to 50 - Day 38 My hair!

 Today is Monday Aug 19

what's on my mind

My hair....random, i know!

now its in quasi dreadlocks....quasi because i begun off with small matutas and just didn't undo them, and now its two years later, here I am with hair up to my shoulders. my sister locks them for me as if they are sisterlocks...so its a mixture of both!

i love them now..some are weak at the front, I guess because of age, the hairline weakens..I need to do something about it; but i darken it these days...since i dont quite like the grey hairs at the front...maybe thats why the hairline is weak....mmmm

I am comfortable with my hair as it is now

Whats your hair journey?

...

Reflections to 50 - Day 39 World Humanitarian Day

 Today is Sunday Aug 18

Tomorrow is Aug 19 - World Humanitarian Day

the theme for 2024 is so apt - #NoMatterWhat: Humanitarians Deliver

Over the years in the humanitarian space, I have interacted with all manner of people and weuh the stories....some of anguish...some of triumph...some of the conflict and hard to reach areas are not for the faint hearted!

from Oloitoktok to Chalbi...from Kakuma to Dadaab....the cry for dignity is evident.

no one wants to live an impoverished life because of circumstances beyond their control - unfavourable weather patterns or selfish leaders leading to protracted conflict. we all want better for our children, and so humanitarians come in and partner with communities to make this future possible

Cheers to all Humanitarians workers!! 

#LeaveNoOneBehind

Reflections to 50 - Day 40 - Put in all down on paper!

Today is Saturday Aug 17

so whats on my mind today?

journaling

i love to journal

i have kept a journal since forever

the best one i have is one i began in 31 january 2009 for my kids - i got this idea one random program i was listening to...and i was like...mmm what a wonderful idea!

i write all the big moments and the tiniest mundane moments - i love going back once in a while to read this again with them and we have a good laugh. 

last year i gave myself a challenge to do an online journal writing stories related to my family - i have so far gotten to page 8 - i will do it! and to help with this documentation, I stumbled on a beautiful journaling family book at half priced books in village market (love this shop!)

am taking a break from work and hope i can do a lot of writing during this period!

My Bible inspo is from Habakkuk 2:2 - NIV - Then the Lord replied; Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it

Reflections to 50 - Day 41 Walking 5kms per day

Today is Friday August 16

whats on my mind?

I committed to walking 5km per day - and weuhh....its been an uphill task

we try with my sister but we tend to manage 3-4km in one hour

but yesterday we managed 5km under one hour with my daughter!

feeling so achieved!

i read somewhere that even 30min of walking per day is good for you - so that i can do...

do you walk? jog? 

any movement?

try it!

--end--

Reflections to 50 - Day 42 Assumpta!

 Today is Thursday Aug 15 2024

Today we mark the Solemnity of Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven

Know anyone called Assumpta? wish them a blessed day today!!

Reflections to 50 - Day 43 Elephant Day

 Today is Wednesday August 14

whats on mind?

i was reminded that two days ago was World Elephant Day - and my mind went back to the first time i saw an elephant!

i was in Marsabit national park and voila, just outside my window there was an elephant and its cub - it was really a wonder to behold. I was scared for a minute there since it looked too close for comfort - but they were busy enjoying the salty water 

Then later on in Tsavo i actually stood next to one and took a photo - ai ai my heart! we had to wake up very early to go to where the elephants are...enjoyed the experience

Anyways, Aug 12 is to raise awareness on conservation and protection of elephants. 

Finally, the saying 'Tembo hashindwi kubeba pembe yake" is very apt! 

whats your elephant story?

Reflections to 50 - Day 45 Olympic GOATS!

 Today is Monday August 12

The 2024 Olympic curtain closed yesterday evening in Paris France

So what's on my mind?

I was all geared up to watch the Olympics but truth be told, I didn't watch many live matches, despite signing up to Showmax just for this!

Loved the performance that the indomitable Faith Kipyegon put - what a show of excellence!

Benjamin Zulu summarized it best

No man or woman has ever won the 1500-meter race at the Olympics three times.

But that was until one woman stepped on the scene, namely Faith Kipyegon.

She blasted into undisputed victory last night to the roar and standing ovation of the 75,000 witnesses at the stadium. She ruled the number one spot for twelve years now, or three Olympic games.

She has forever cemented her name in the annals of history that she went out and played her flute in the podium of her generation.

Now, imagine if Kipyegon had married an insecure guy who wanted her to stay at home and to never work? Or if she was among those women who look for a man who can provide everything so that they can just sit back at home?

Of course, there are chores to be done at home.

But that can not substitute your service to the outer world. There are girls who would catch their fire once they see you burning in yours.

How many believed in themselves by just watching Kipyegon?

Nobody can perform your calling for you.

Kipyegon wasn't just running for money but also for self-expression.

Many women are addicted to being provided for. Why would you let your talents atrophy and die within you?

Will you sacrifice the glory and fulfilment of reaching the pinnacle of your existence for laziness and comfort?

( Benjamin Zulu Global)

...and I will not even get to what Snoop did for the 2024 Olympics! Classic Act

2028 Los Angelus USA....that's the next one....

Reflections to 50 - Day 46 Chama Cha Wamama Katoliki

Today is Sunday August 11

Whats on my mind today?

CWA - Catholic Women Association

So I joined CWA in 2021 - the formation takes 6 months and you are then commissioned in the local parish - and the uniform is plain blue; then another 6 months of seminars (once per month) and then you get commissioned at Archdiocese level  - and the uniform has small pots on it.

I joined CWA since I felt convicted that I needed to up my spirituality - and from Day 1 I volunteered already as the Treasurer of our Cohort. The initial year was quite involving since we had the formation classes, several retreats etc. Then the  whole arrangement was changed and the cohort was reshuffled and so we are all in different groups

So far the experience has been good...

Meetings are monthly and seminars once in a while

The image however is still that the association is for the much older woman - weuhh..that will be shaken off with time

for now..CWA, Strong in Faith!

Reflections to 50 - Day 44 Cairo on my mind

Today is Tuesday Aug 13

So what's on my mind today?

Cairo, Eqypt

So many years ago, I knew of plans for a group to visit Cairo & Israel and because of the work situation I was in at that time, I passed on this golden opportunity! Then the situation melted away but the deadline had long passed, so I could not join the group!

Now years later, my loved ones are in Cairo for different reasons and my mind went back to this desert town on the banks of River Nile

Some fun facts about the pyramids - that unlike popular belief propagated even by movies, the pyramids were not built by slaves but by professional contractors...mmmhhhh

and what is so special about them? that they are the oldest and largest structures built by humans

I will visit this place one day!

for now...whisper a prayer for my loved ones...

Reflections to 50 Day 47 Radical Acceptance

 Today is Saturday Aug 10

Whats on my mind....? 

A new concept I learnt recently and I have embraced wholly - that of RADICAL ACCEPTANCE

At this my big age, random things I now know for sure...and that I am gaining radical acceptance for...

 - people show you who they are all the time, you just have to pay attention

 - mothering people other than your own family is counterproductive!

 - you are in charge of your own happiness....no one is coming with a kayamba just to make you happy

 - children will grow up and move on; enjoy their company while you can

 - no one is watching you...so dont play to the gallery!

 - avocado goes well with githeri :) Period!

...what are you radically accepting?

Reflections to 50 - Day 48 Butterfly Out!

 Today is Friday Aug 9

whats on my mind today...?

a year ago today....i went through a major surgery...the year has flown by so so fast!

the little organ round my neck the shape of a butterfly aka my thyroid

had to be removed!

i truly thank God for the healing He has granted me

am back to doing exercises - even the frightening burpees!

i drove myself by month 3 post surgery

was concerned that i would forget to take the daily dose of medicine - but so far i have skipped two 

days only so far :) (dont ask what happened!)

and above all, i can still hold a tune!

(i had signed a waiver incase my voice got compromised in the process!)

my prayer for today is psalm 27:13 - yes, i am confident in this, that i will see the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

amen to that!

Reflections to 50 - Day 49 Blasting Day

 Today is August 7

Whats on my mind today....26years ago was a dark dark day for Kenya - this was the 1998 bombing of the American Embassy in downtown Nairobi; and so many families lives were changed forever!

Where was I then?

I had a sales job on Biashara street - very difficult job for me, since i am not naturally inclined to ask strangers to buy something...anything.... but hey - was not being choosy since I was fresh off the campus boat. 

We were seated in the office having the morning brief, and we had the loud blast and saw the huge smoke coming from Kencom side - we actually assumed that Kencom was on fire. Those days news didn't travel fast - so we went on with what we were doing. Then because the job was a sales one, we had to basically leave the office and go look for clients to buy space in the magazines that the company produced, so I walked towards Kencom since I was curious as to what could have gone on there.

As I approached KenCom I realized the blast came from further down so I walked on....on reaching Harambee avenue, many people were walking / running in the opposite direction and I sensed that it may not be good to go too close after all and so I went on home!! I don't even know which transport means i used to get home since years later, people recount the way it was difficult getting out of town that day because of jam and lack of matatus!

God help us never to go back there again!

Peace!

Reflections to 50 - Day 50 Beach Please!

 So am turning 50 in 50 days time!

so here goes...my daily blog

What's on my mind today? 

Its Tuesday, the last two days have been pretty warm - a sharp contract to the freezing temps we experienced in July

I realize I love the warmer weather...this issue of wearing so many clothes just to feel warm; doesn't jazz me at all

Anyways, I guess I was meant for the coast

Takes me back to the first time I saw the ocean...we made a visit to Dar es salaam to see our father - at that time he leaved in an area that was walking distance to the beach. Not sure if we walked or we drove - but either way - when I saw the ocean, my breath was literally taken away - no wonder our ancestors worshiped nature... :)

My prayer today is from Genesis 32: 12 - The Lord said  - I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the SEA, which cannot be counted.

Cheers!!

Nairobbery!

 There is something scary about witnessing someone getting robbed in these streets!

So am standing there waiting for my uber and across the road, i hear mwizi mwizi!! and right before my eyes, a man is giving chase to another man who has, as I gather, grabbed his mobile phone! they ran on the busy highway and cars are forced to screech and swerve! weuhh

the thief was faster and so the poor man lost his phone, just like that

The uber finally arrives and we head out - turns out he too witnessed it from another angle. The thief was on a boda boda and snatched the phone from the guy who was walking along the road...the boda boda was destabilized by a passing vehicle and tilted over, so also the boda driver had to flee since it was clear they were together with the thief

By the time we passed near the scene...the boda had been impounded...and the distressed victim was there as well (question...is the boda now his asset??? hehehhehe)

Yaani in this day if a phone is taken you are really set back!!

Keep Safe!

Finland!

 Visited Helsinki, Finland and really loved the experience

Imagine the entire population of Finland is equal to people living in Nairobi metropolis - that's just about 5.5m!

The ride from airport to the hotel one sees lots of trees and google says that Finland is 70% covered by woodlands.....imagine that!

The hotel we stayed in was walking distance to various places - so the daily walk was very welcome -I think I logged it at least 5km daily (thank God I carried my faithful sneakers...at the very last minute). The buildings are a mixture of old types and modern & very artistic designs..quite something!

It helped that its summer so sun sets around 10pm and so one has lots of time to walk around before dark - however, this is something that needs some quite getting used to - that you can actually be prepping for bed and outside is bright!

The final day was dinner on a cruise boat that was both idyllic and scenic...loved it!

Though I didn't manage to get to a sauna (which am told is a loved pastime for Finnish people)...there is always a next time :)

side note....Finnair got delayed on the return leg and we ended up in a hotel in the sweltering heat of Doha!

Else...Kiitos (asante)!

 

We are all linked...

 we are all linked

if you just check

a lone aircraft goes down

in dusty hills of a remote county

with it, 9 people succumb

we get the news in the office

all are in shock 

hoping there are survivors!

but alas!

news spreads fast

names of family members emerge

the wife of the General...

i knew of her years ago!

one of the soldiers

is father to my sons former classmate

the ceremony for the main man is quick and brief

simple in life and in death

i watch it like i personally know the family

the grief is palpable

L I F E

may their souls be received in paradise

amen.

Power of Alignment!

The world was treated to a spectacular celestial display of the solar eclipse on April 8 2024 - that was very visible in Northern America

Today (16.4.2024) I listened to a daily reflection which noted that the solar eclipse reminded him of the power of alignment!

and indeed the Bible tells us in Matthew 18:20 that for where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them (NRSV). This is a promise from God - that if we align our prayers with Gods purpose for us, then He will be among us and respond to the desires of our hearts in His own perfect way!

May we be aligned with God our creator, now and forever! Amen

Sr Rita..Mukumu fraternity..

 Sr Rita Itebete has rested.

She was part of Mukumu Girls High School from 1978 to 2002 (or thereabout) - 24 solid years - as  a teacher and the an indomitable Principal.

A whatsapp group was formed by alumnae and the first one quickly became full (1025 pax) and a second one was started. 

I have immensely enjoyed the memories being posted by girls in the wall - from those who knew her in the 70s to the recent ones in the early 2000s. Imagine that...all of them testify of the positive impact she had in their lives especially around taking pride of who they are! wow....LEGEND!

I was in the primary section for 3 (short or long) years from 1986 to 1988 and when i heard of the news, i wondered why i remembered her and I even thought she was in the primary school section - turns out I was reliably informed that she was like in charge of the Mukumu complex - so included the primary school...so thats how I knew of her

Rest well Sr Rita

''Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die!' by Babe Ruth

You have fought the good fight

You have finished the race

You have kept the faith

(2 Timothy 4: 7-8)

Eternal rest grant to Sr Rita Oh Lord

and May Perpetual Light shine upon her

May she rest in eternal peace, Amen.

A whole adult!...and Plot armor

So we were watching a movie and the life of the main character was at risk - and so I exclaimed...hope nothing is gonna happen to him and kids said, naaa nothing will happen, he is protected by plot armor!

am like Plot Armor? I had never heard of this phrase before.

and of course they explained it to me (and I gugud it :))

noun: plot armor

        used to refer to the phenomenon in fiction whereby the main charater is allowed to survive                dangerous situations because they are needed for the plot to continue

 Loved it, Loved it!!!

So the first one turns 18years today - March 15 2024

My dearest son

You are now considered an adult by the government!

A whole 18yrs now!

As you navigate life in this amazing world, know & believe at the bottom of your heart that you are Gods chosen one. That you need to trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding - in all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6)

That ALL things will work together for you, (Romans 8:28) is a promise to them that love God and to them who are called according to His purpose. Claim this promise!

And may our good Lord order your every step (Psalms 37: 23-24) and uphold you with His hand, even when you fall; know that You are victorious is Jesus name

You are guarded by Plot Armor!

Amen!

Happy 18th Birthday Kweli

we love you sana sana sana!!

6 months post surgery

 So its been 6 months

6 months post surgery

6 months since I cant do exercise

the weight has piled back in

but that's the price to pay

I feel better

I feel healed

The huge scar on my chest gets some stares

and i explain it

sometimes i dont bother

its my victory sign

God has allowed me this chance

and now all I can do

is 

BE STILL

and know the HE is indeed God!

Period Patch?

 So today I walk into this store and voila, a Deep Heat period patch...interesting!

I really wonder whether it works

It took me back to the days when I had serious period cramps - I really think I took too many pain killers during that season! Over time I learnt that drinking extra strong black tea helped me, and also pressing a warm towel on my tummy soothed the pain. Mercifully the terrible pain went when I got my first baby.

Now this patch!

Wow!

Hope it works for those who are still in that season