When we waste water?

Today is March 22

Today is World Water Day!

The theme is around water and wastewater....that we need to conserve water and make better use of waste water

Water is sensitive to me, I grew up in the big city, but soon many estates came around ours and poof, the taps went dry. This started a long period of having water that comes maybe once a week, and drips out at night, so we learnt the art of listening for water. And as soon as the water came, we jumped out of bed (no matter and time) and began washing and cleaning and storing water till morning, when the taps went dry again.

The estate had one house that had access to army water....and so when the massive water bowser came to fill their big tanks, we benefitted from the balance....and since the pipe was big, having a basin was futile since the pressure was too high and all the water would splash out. So we brought out the movable tank and once it was filled up, we filled up smaller basins and ferried the precious commodity home!! waaaaaaaa

Then I moved to a boarding school and as luck would have it, the big tank that supplied the school had a problem and so that was my introduction to fetching water from a river > we had to make several trips, for the kitchen using huge metalic sufurias, for a teacher who can reroute you as you make your way back to the school and finally for self! And I tell you God was on our side, because that basin of water was the drinking water as well

So this poster rings so true for me

Fast forward to college days and still home didnt have constant water supply, and so during trips to town center, it was very emotional for me seeing the verandah at KENCOM being washed with water from a massive pipe and flowing freely and am like, wish we had that kind of water at home! #sigh

Of course working in ASAL areas made me have a whole other appreciation for water....the sight of the dry earth for miles and miles is enough for someone to know that once they get water, they need to use it carefully!


So this water day, spare a thought for those who dont have access to clean water...and think twice before you waste water please....

#nihayotu

Mummy fear!

Its raining!! ok, a slight drizzle, but after such a hot day, any amount of rain is welcome

Am enjoying a hot cup of tea and some sweet potatoe, yummy!

Takes me back to when my kids were young, I had been told that sweet potatoes are good for kids. Thing is, sweet potatoes normally chock me, I dont know why...I cant take more than a slice...so you can imagine I never ever gave my kids sweet potatoes; they tasted in when they could walk and talk!!


I never admit this publicly, hehehehe, would sound strange!!

I also love mushroom soups and sauces...but I again mummy fear sets in!! I have read about mushroom being poisonous, and so all i do is look at them in supermarkets and step aside! of course when am in a restaurant, i never fail to order some mushroom! wish i knew how to tell these apart so family could also enjoy this taste!

Of course this continous campaign against polio also gives me jitters. My under 5 has had so many vaccines against polio I honestly cant wait to have him turn 5!  8 more months to go....when i see the letter from schoool i sign with a lot of reservation, since its been drummed that the vaccine is not harmful no matter how many times its given....honestly i dont understand this logic, much as it has been explained to me soooo many times!

There is the issue of earbuds!..strange eh?? Thing is, I fear that the kid will stick things into the nose or ears and it becomes an emergency...so for a long long time, I have never used earbuds in front of my kids....for fear that they may stick other things into their ears!

Anyways, what fears do you have as a mum??

REPOST....and now we are 8!

#REPOST Dec 2, 2010

My dearest Raha

Today you turn 2!

 At exactly 9.09pm two years ago I was very glad to have a girl…no one believes that curious me didn’t know I was expecting a girl…but that’s the truth, I wanted it to be a surprise…and what a lovely surprise it was! I must admit your Daddy was sure the baby was gonna be a girl while your aunty was convinced I was carrying a boy since the expected weight was 4kg….The experience of having your brother left me saying one kid is enough for me but later we realized it’s very easy to spoil one child and so decided to have another one….then we can balance out the tough love that needs to be given out once in a while.

I always knew for the longest time that should I ever be blessed with a girl her name would definitely be Raha (I was later told it also means abundance in Amharic)

Its just two years and your growing vocabulary amazes us every day;  and how you already have a definite opinion on what you are to wear – I honestly thought I would a few more years of my views on wardrobe reigning supreme…but I was wrong….

Of course Raha you have greatly benefited by being a second child – the way your brother and cousin treat you like a princess….and your parents can now claim not be so naïve about matters children… oh my, we rushed your brother to hospital at every sneeze and later realized its not the best way…so you can imagine our surprise when the government released a whole list of medicines that they claimed were not the best for children and we knew most of them!! But I digress; such lessons are what life is made of…….

My sweet,

May the Lord bless you, and keep you;May the Lord make His face shine on you,And be gracious to you;May He lift up His countenance upon you,And give you peace

 …and may you grow up to be the fiery little Ms Independent that you already are…

Happy birthday Raha!!

 Love and Kisses

Your Mummy :)

Four years & counting!

My lil soldier turned 4

I love this age!!

No limits.....some words still jambled up, and oh sounds so sweet!! Like when he was asked, ehh unakula lollipop na uko na homa? he says...ah ah...mimi sikuyi yoyipop...na yamba (lamba) tuu!! hehehehehe

Very expressive...all the time  out of the blue saying ......me napenda wewe!!!!....this simply just melts my heart ...awwww!!!!!

The age when imagination grows ---and one time he was crying loudly as if very hurt....i ran towards him to ask what was wrong...and he said brother had eaten his cake...which cake?? this one?? his IMAGINARY cake!!!! I had to hide my laughter!!!..... :)

The huge smile and big hug that you are received with every single day, or every single time you enter the room...a loud Mummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm greats you!!

and to crown it all....every so often....he picks flowers and brings them to me with a big smile saying...fyawas for you Mummmm <3 <3; pure. sincere. unconditional love.

Slowly getting independent...these days you dont walk him up to the class....he says, simama hapo niende!!

My Buja, my litu cub, may God protect you always...may your joy & laughter never fade!

Happy happy birthday!!

My new best time...

Its 2pm

House is silent...there is less noise outside as well

No movement, housework is done...and lady who helps us is asleep...so that my 4 year old who has just come from school can also agree to take a nap

This is my new best time....because of the silence...bliss!!

The work I had lined up for today is 80% done...I was busy at it from 7am and  so am basically through with it...can brush it off at night

I seat, in the silence of my own thoughts...

Plotting out my weekend plans...good time to think...

I put off my phone, switch off wifi (ok, for a bit only)

3pm

I get up to warm some left overs from yesterdays supper

Watch a bit of TV

4pm...my bubble bursts

The rest of the kids run  into the house with energy from school screaming at each other (wonder why they never talk in normal tones when they come from school....)

There goes my silence

Oh well...

Lets wait for tomorrow

for my #magicalmoment

Plus size challenges..

Nairobi is cold....very cold!!

So I decided....mmm....nows about a good time to get me a pair of knee high boots

I checked online shops...to determine the price...and yes, they are available...for my kind of foot.....the price is steep - upwards of 14k....I toy with the idea of sending a friend who is going to the US soon...but....mmmhh....she has a busy schedule so sitaki to be dissapointed when she comes back with a very expensive pair that she just had to buy from duty free since she didnt have time....I know that feeling...

Next option is second hand shoe shops....the ones along Bus Station have wide variety....and what do you know....the first place i went i found them..just hanging there waiting for me and my big foot...and the exact type i wanted....and they fit me like a glove!!! I was excited......but wait....madam ebu we zip it up....zilch.....try again....no luck......the zip could not pass by mazgwembe!!!!! I was mortified....thats when it hit me (again)....girl you have a BIG LEG!!!!!

Woi....the guy didn't even laugh.....he told me, madam wait i go to another shop and get you the one that will fit perfectly...(meaning, fit my shin/calf??? ) and sure enough, he got me one that folds so does not have to fit straight.

I happy!!

#keepwarm!!

Maternity leave(s)

So this week is World Breastfeeding week (1-7 Aug)

I have had the honour of having 3 maternity leaves...each one very different....

For my first one in 2006 I only had 60 days and no more...and anyways a very very major report was due end of the month that I was expected back so could not even think of extending the leave....I was  not too sure about how to breastfeed....and assumption was that this was natural....well it wasnt for me....and I struggled with a hungry baby until we got the grip of how best to do it....Once that was in the bag, back to full relaxation mode! This break was my introduction to the world of DVD series...I used to watch TV a lot...but then someone gave me the House series and I was hooked!! waaaaa.....so long as baby was awake, I was seated in front of TV watching that series!! The house was very quiet most of the time....since it was just one housegal and me most of the time....60 days passed in a flash!! and before i knew it was back to work and consumed by the usual race. The first kid receives a lot of visitors!! I came to appreciate not extending a visit when you go see a new mother, not insisting on holding baby for long hours, NOT going near baby if you have a cold among other do's and donts...Meanwhile, I was doing my MBA and completed the course work before baby came; and the supermom in me, thought i would do the research paper during maternity!!! thats a story for another day #thestruggleisreal!!

For first one I didn't even attempt exclusive breastfeeding - boy was so hungry all the time he was on light uji as soon as he was three months old and off Naan by the time he was 9 months! Thankfully he enjoyed his milk so much that he used to drink 3 packets in a day!! All this ended when he joined preschool :(

Second one was during the month of December and was much easier to feed her...maybe its true about girls....but I didnt feel like a cow with her...hehehehehe...For this one, the holidays were around the corner and so by the time baby was barely 3 weeks old, the holidays had set in and so she was already making visits since Christmas time comes with a lot of visits to people...For second baby, I had 2 girls helping me with work and my sister in law was staying with us. So house was full at that time and I had company so I barely noticed the free time I had in between...this was 90 days and by the third month I was truly ready to get back to work.

I tried this exclusive thing since my friend also had a baby and really encouraged me to do it....I was on a roll till one day, I came home and found baby being given milk...on testing it, it was cold...the milk had hardly thawed from fridge and she was being given....ehh...I said, better to have warm naan milk than cold breastmilk!!!

I did one visit to Garissa when she was five months and when I came back, she looked at me like I was crazy when I offered to breastfeed her :)

Third one was during October and this I must say is a perfect time to be on maternity since by December, all have adjusted and you return to work mid January when the rush is over! The leave was uneventful...I had gotten the grips of taking care of a small baby so things were smooth...baby was not such a hungry one so even breastfeeding was a breeze. I didn't even bother with exclusive since the milk was kidogo and trying to pump it just left me a frustrated Mum!!

By this time I had a handy laptop and a good supply of movies and series. I stationed laptop near bed, and soon as baby woke up, I fed him while watching a movie/series...and once he was asleep, i pause it and sleep too!

Now there is talk of 6 months maternity leave so as to ensure babies are breastfed exclusively - whereas I support this 150%, wonder if private sector will be for this!! My own take is that better to have options where possible eg creches at work (Safaricom does it, dont they??)...working from home arrangements....flexihours....since baby doesnt feed whole day every time....and also Mummy needs a break!!!!....and truth be told, work can be a VERY welcome break....so a win-win for everyone!

http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

Me Time

9pm

House is silent…I have battled with the kids to go to bed…please Mum, one more story….Mum...I need some water….Mum…my leg is paining…oh the excuses! The list is endless…good thing, they really go off like a light…after all the resistance and I get them into their beds, 5min later, am back to the seating room for some me time!!

 

Shhhh

The house is silent

I can watch news…but with the constant updates on social media I feel I have the necessary highlights. And anyways the analysis and counter analysis on matters politics is not something I want to consume during my me time!!

So maybe some Nigeria movie…I have come to like to the ones that are in a rural setting….and as I flip through the channels,  I catch one….that is just starting….lucky me! Oh and Genevivie Nnaji herself has the lead role…this should be interesting…I read old newspapers  as I watch the movie….it’s got an interesting plot…

2am….part IV of the movie is about to start – eh these guys can stretch a movie….this definitely is not good for me…I will be a zombie next day… I pull myself from the chair, consoling myself that a repeat will be on TV anytime soon! So much for me time….now am truly exhausted and sleepy!

Last possible minute....

Am not a last minute person

I try and prepare in advance and leave the surprises for the last minute

If I have a flight, especially one that is early morning, believe you me, I will pack everything the night before and be ready to go before I sleep. I will check in online! I will set my alarm to an appropriate time....

Now now now....when they say opposites attract, I think we (S and I ) are a classic example

Yaani, S has a very early morning flight and we all wake up at 3 am to do the packing, iron some shirts, look for safety boots, and where is that novel he was to read....have you seen the power bank?? what about the charger??!! exhausting to be frantic so early in the morning....much as I have tried, I cant change this in him. Best i can do is assume what he will carry and keep them within range so he confirms which ones he will take this time round...& I set the alarm .....

and when all this is done off we dash to the airport barely making it...him reassuring me....ahh we are on time!.....and no, we didnt check in online!!!!!!!

Lesson learnt, you cant change someone....so dont get hot and bothered about it, just roll with the flow (while biting fingernails)... :)

Happy Fathers day to all the dads out there!

Happy Fathers day to all the dads out there!

I was in a group once of amazing ladies and the conversation turned to who had the most influence over their lives. So many of them were my father this, my father that.......I realised that its very easy to underestimate the power of fathers over their children. Pope Francis is clear on his wish for the family, but we find ourselves in different types of families given various circumstances..

Either way, I read this poem years ago and loved it, so I share it each year

What Makes a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad
Author Unknown

So to all the fathers doing their best, in the midst of 'hunting' and the ever changing expectations of the world today, cheers to you all!!

The sound of hope & possibility

At one point, I grew up in an estate in Langata and it was right next to Malezi School....In the early morning of a new term, you could hear the lil ones crying since they missed home...and this was a new place for them. With time they settled in and now all you could here was nursery rhymes being recited over and over and over again.

The one incident that makes me laugh till today is when they used to sing......Oh Mwana Mberi, Oh Mwana Mberi..... a popular Luhya song in praise of first borns...but they sang it so slowly that my mum was like...eish...these kids are singing the song as if they are drunkards!!! LOL

Now I stay near a school and I love the sound of children singing in the background and children laughing and screaming with glee during breaks...I really admire teachers and how they can mold children from blank slates to what we know them to be!!!

Am reminded of this today...coincidentally at work, am also next to a school and these sounds fill the air all the time....the sounds of hope & infinite possibilities...

God bless our lil children!

Baridi!

eh si nairobi  is cold these days!!

am in a warm sweater and jacket

and still had to put on the heater

my phone says its 18 degrees

but i beg to differ....more like 2!! :)

anyways, better cold than rain

better rain ya usiku

ile that makes you glad you are home and dry

but i guess not all our prayers can be answered the same way

someone else hates the hot weather

someone else wants it to rain

either way

nairobi is too cold!!!

Nephew numero uno!!

My small sister got a baby 12 years ago today

This was the first baby in our house after a long time....ehh....given that she is the last born...and therefore the 'baby' of the house :)

So we stared at the boy in fascination and indeed jumped everytime he so much as had a cough - one time a contingent rushed him  and his mum to hospital since he had thrown up and the amused doctor concluded the 'consultation' by saying...eh....next time, hold him up in this (angled) position when he is feeding ...sawa....eh...pass by the receptionist/cashier on your way out!!

Here we are, 12 years later - a fine kid to be around and loved by all his other cousins and friends. Eight more grandkids have popped for my parents, and to me, I always maintain that that this boy exposed us to what it means to be an aunty or uncle and of course later a parent!!

My dearest nephew, may Grace and Peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord!! (2 Peter 2).

Wishing happy birthday to Nephew No 1, we love you loads!!

May you have many many many more!! <3 <3 <3 <3

Filling the mind...

I recently decided that I need to fill my mind with different ideas that would of course, enrich my thinking

So I have placed a reminder on my phone for the Sisterhood series that happens every 1st Tuesday of the month and conveniently at All Saints - very central!!

April 5th found me seated in the auditorium listening to Hellen Mtawali - never heard her live before!! waaaa what a voice!! very gifted that one!!

The topic of the day was Mother-Daughter relationships - sounded interesting for me so, and I must say it was not a waste of my time, and thankfully I didnt give up given the pouring rain. The presenter was the author of the book  - Celebrating Friendships among Women  - Margery Kabuya - very interesting talk!

My take home was the need to articulate (NGO-ese language tihihihi)
the values that you want respected in the home - the negotiables and the non negotiables. Action for me was that I will rally all to have a prayer for #TeamSamson so that the kids know and internalise that values like respect, honour, faith, honesty etc are important in our home

#inspired!

Katika ile hali ya 'fill your mind with those things that are good and deserve praise' Phillipians 4:8

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Am a city gal

And this is why

Everytime elec goes off, am rendered useless

There are so many things I can do that dont require power

But Nooooo

I cant manage!!

Oh where is power

When will it come

Let me send text to 95551

not working...

Let me tweet KPLC care (or sthg like that)

They respond

Their Engineers are working on it!!

Arggghhh ...so many things to do....let me go to a place where there is power

Poof

ELEC is back

Am back to normal now :)

Getting things done...

Am that kind of person that naturally falls into the role of connecting dots and ensuring things are organised well and ultimately get done; and on schedule

 

With time, even before I volunteer myself, there is an assumption already that I will take care of the details of the event, trip, visit etc. I was shaken out of this by a friend who calmly told me (when I was complaining about all the things I needed to do for a certain event)....and who made you Chief Organiser?? and this shook me real deep....since for sure, this is work I had assigned myself....so why complain??


So now, that part of me is gone!!

 

So for any event that is coming up - I will (not so) happily seat as things get organised (some at the very very last minute) which annoys me....BUT....this is the new me.....so long as it involves a group, I don’t have to be Organiser Extraordinaire!!

 

..mmhhh...gets getting used to....but that’s life!

My 10 year old owes his Aunty a movie!

So by this time ten years ago, I was already admitted into hospital and waiting for ...well....for baby to come. You see, I had gone to hospital with my younger sister for routine check up even if EDD was near, and then we were to catch a movie after that. The doctor examined me and declared, lets let the baby get out...its time!

The first experience is so daunting....you dont know what to expect. The pain....walalalalalala....let me just leave that there....its needs it own name....labour pains just does not do justice to what one experiences....eish...getting goose bumps just thinking of it.....I tell you if that didnt make me go crazy, I dare say, nothing can!

and so after 4  (that felt like 48) hours of intense labour, Kweli came to the world. My first reaction honestly was relief, relief that the pain was over, and then joy, joy that the baby was fine and then fatigue!! I was tired....waaaa....Kweli came at around 5.30 in the evening, and of course close to visiting time, so people came over to give thanks with us....by the time they left, i passed out on my tummy till next morning! No one told me when you get a baby you will get so so thirsty...I think i drank all the juice and tea that i was offered and still needed some more!!

Happy 10th bday my dearest Kweli.....may Gods blessings continue to be with you, now and always! Remember you still owe Aunty a movie!!##Mwaaaaaaaaaa##

Journal it all...

I like journals and diaries!

I have keeping them for a long long time, and when I got my kids, I decided to also keep a journal for them - so I got me a good quaity red notebook to jot down anything and almost everything. I write down the things they do, the funny remarks they make...I have been doing this since January 2009 when my daughter was one month old!...sometimes going through it makes for such interesting reading!

I put in major events like visit of Pope, of Obama etc and also the more simple entries like this one....when I got these simple brown plastic shoes for my son (just for playing around the house)

and the minute i gave him, he said, '...SITAKI AKAI  MART (meaning I dont like them, they are not smart!!)

Cousins!

Cousins are an important part of family. Growing up we were the oldest among our cousins so didn't quite relate to them, and most lived in other towns anyway, so was physically not possible to meet often. I often envied people who can could relate with their cousins like brothers and sisters - an extended family to every sence of the word.

Was reminded of this today when visiting my brother and his family. We were having a lovely Sunday late afternoon unplanned tea and the way our kids quickly mingled reminded us that we really have a responsibility to nurture the bond!!

That we immediately agreed on!!

Need to give up something this Lent

Lent is here with us again

So I was trying to have a conversation with my children on the meaning of Lent and the actions we can take. So one issue is that we need to give up something we love to do or eat as a way of focusing on God alone this period

I ask my son....so what will you give up? he promptly says....CABBAGE!!....am like, you dont like cabbage that much anyways....yes, he says....so i give it up (aiii lesson lost!!)...I try again....how about chicken?....or phone.....he looks distraught!!

Will try again tomorrow.....for now, let me try and rephrase the essence of Lent... :)