The Bigger Snakes are out too!!

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Hiatus

In silence man can most readily preserve his integrity.
Meister Eckhart

African Channel -FINALLY

Finally!!!!! AWESOME!!

I can barely wait for this channel on the East Coast

"The Africa Channel is a showcase for the African continent's most outstanding English language television series, specials, documentaries feature films, music, event specials, biographies, soap operas, current business analysis, cultural and historical programs?..shows that reflect the people of Africa, their incredible stories, their daily lives, their music and art, their successes, celebrations and challenges.
Our mission? To open up a daily window into modern African life and, in the process, help demystify Africa for American viewers.
For the first time on U.S. television, American audiences can connect with an aspect of Africa that has eluded them until now - urban Africa, coming to life on a daily basis and presented in a way that American TV viewers have come to appreciate and understand. The Africa Channel will transport you into a world filled with rich cultures, heart-stopping adventures, emotional human dramas and award-winning entertainment programming. Then there is the music, with all of the richness, texture and tradition of the countless musical cultures found on the African Continent. Following in the footsteps of such music legends as Miriam Makeba, and Salief Keita is a whole new generation of artists poised for similar commercial success. The Africa Channel will introduce these new artists through music videos, live performances and the Africa Channel's exclusive roster of VJ's.
From News, Information and International Affairs, to Travel, Lifestyle and Leisure; From Soaps to Documentaries to Music, there's something for everyone on The Africa Channel!
Experience Africa as you've never seen it before. Africa! Alive! Right in your living room, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
http://www.theafricachannel.com

Just for Today

JUST FOR TODAY

JUST FOR TODAY I will try to live through this day only and not tackle my whole life problem(s) at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

JUST FOR TODAY I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that," Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

JUST FOR TODAY I will adjust myself to what is, and not try toadjust everything to my own desires. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

JUST FOR TODAY I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I don't want to do - just for exercise; I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt, they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.

JUST FOR TODAY I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself.

JUST FOR TODAY I will have a program. I may not follow itexactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

JUST FOR TODAY I will have a quiet half hour all by myself, and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.

JUST FOR TODAY I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what if beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

MY LEO 2006 YEARLY OVERVIEW :-)

HA!HA!HA! If only they were right ....those stars!!!!

Year 2006 OverviewProvided by Astrology.com

LEO
You're out for a real, honest-to-goodness emotional connection this year. That's first and foremost on your priority list. Fortunately, when it comes to prospective partners, you know what you like and, more importantly, what you don't like -- and during 2006, your perceptive abilities will be especially keen. If you're already attached, your emotions for your partner will deepen considerably as the year progresses, and from Halloween through the start of the New Year, you'll be amazed at how close you two become. There may even be cohabitation or marriage on the agenda as the year draws to a close.
If you're without a soul mate as 2006 begins, you'll be especially determined to find one this year, and you won't stop until you do. The actual 'interview' process will be quite streamlined compared to past attempts, thanks to your newfound (and almost psychic) ability to cut to the emotional chase, especially during January and February. When it comes to dating, you'll be able to tell whether you have a future with the person you're sitting across from within five minutes of the moment you say hello, smile your charming smile and unfold your napkin. And don't discount the possibility of 're-interviewing' someone you've already been involved with, by the way -- someone who seems quite different now. (And if it doesn't work out in January, they may ask to try it again in July.) If it's someone new you decide upon, the real fun will begin when you discover that they felt the same immediate connection you did. (You'll know when you meet this person -- they're the one who puts that grin on your face, right from the get-go, whenever they're in the vicinity.)
When it comes to career matters, you'll be working hard -- really hard -- but you'll definitely see some serious rewards. The higher-ups in charge of your paycheck and your professional future will toss some 'atta boy/atta girl' sentiments your way during mid-March and late September, followed by the raise, promotion or bonus you've been aiming for. And don't be surprised if you end the year as a highly regarded authority figure yourself


2006 YEARLY LOVE OVERVIEW


Year 2006 Romance.....Provided by Astrology.com

Leo
When you plant a tree, it takes several years before it begins to bear fruit. Harvest season after harvest season passes with no sign of apples. If you've been waiting year after year for the kind of romantic connection you only read about in books, your patience is about to pay off. In other words, when apples finally appear on those boughs, there will be enough for pie -- and applesauce too.
When it comes to romantic partners, you've had plenty of time to figure out what you want. In 2006, your ability to discriminate between a bad apple and a good one -- and to tell a delicious varietal from the mealy types you grew up with -- will be especially keen. If you've already settled on someone you'd like to stay with for a long time, this will be the year you explore the permanent motivations and lasting basis for your passion. Parallels between you and your partner will be thrown into sharp relief, and the complementary differences between you two will become visible as well. You might think that finding the rational basis for a mystical connection will kill the romance, but in fact, the opposite will be true. Your emotional connection will deepen as the intellectual and instinctual aspects of your relationship begin to work in tandem.
If you haven't yet found a partner at the beginning of 2006, you're in for a very lucky year. However, you can't just expect prospective soul mates to come to you. A determined dating schedule in the winter will yield spectacular results, thanks to your ability to instantly identify the kind of partner who will suit you. It's also possible that someone you've been involved with in the past may ask to rekindle a connection that had fizzled out. Give it a try -- with your practically supernatural discernment, you'll be able to tell quickly whether the person deserves another chance. Once you find someone special, you'll be thrilled to find out that they felt the same visceral connection you did in the first moments of your meeting.( YEAH RIGHT!!!)

Kenyan in Winter Olympic but do we say?

http://http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/kenyas-oneman-team-a-flagbearer-for-africans/2006/02/07/1139074229975.html

Kenya's one-man team a flag-bearer for Africans

By Aileen Kimutai, Nairobi February 8, 2006

THE snows of the Italian alps are a far cry from Philip Boit's dusty equatorial hometown in central Kenya, but the lone member of the east African nation's Winter Olympics team is undaunted.
Eight years after finishing dead last in his 10-kilometre cross-country skiiing event at the Nagano Games and four years after improving to 66th out of 77 racers in Salt Lake City, Boit is out for glory this year in Turin.
But glory for the 33-year-old former soldier who made history as Kenya's first winter Olympian in the 1998 Games in Japan is not a gold or silver or even a bronze medal. It is respect.
"I want to make sure I beat other African skiers in Turin," he said after he and a member of the Kenyan Olympic Federation became the first team to check in this week. "I also want to improve on my time."
Kenya is well-known for producing world-class long-distance runners but, like most African nations, has seen little success in winter sports that are largely foreign on a continent where snow and cold temperatures are rare.
Boit grew up in Eldoret, a town regarded as the breadbasket of Kenyan athletes, including his cousin, Mike Boit, who was a dominant figure in the world in the 800 metres in the 1970s.
Unable to match his cousin's skills, Boit joined an elite Kenyan army unit believing his sporting days were over. But former Kenyan national athletics coach Mike Kosgei saw opportunities when he went to coach in Finland in 1995 and enlisted Boit and countryman Henry Bitok in a bid to expand the country's sporting prowess.

Time to say Goodbye

Tell me when I can open my eyes
I don't want to watch you walk out that door
There's no easy way to get through goodbye
I'd probably try and talk you into staying once more
Or I'd lie and say it's all for the best
Wish you luck and say I have no regrets
But I'm not up to being strong
So I'll wait until you're gone
Is it over yet, is it over yet?

A taxi's waiting in the driveway for you
You call my name, I guess your ready to leave
I'd like to help you with a suitcase or two
But I'm afraid I'm gonna wind up down on my knees
I should tell you that I want you to go
I really need to spend some time on my own
Smile and say goodbye
So you don't see me dying inside
Is it over yet, is it over yet?

I should lie and say it's all for the best
Wish you luck and say I have no regrets
But I'm not up to being strong
So I'll wait until your gone
Is it over yet, is it over yet?

My PART 2 life with Dogs.......................

Since someone suggested I get a puppy to love me unconditionally, I decided to volunteer baby sitting this cute pie here and in turn for cheaper rent :-)) syke!..

But dogs can be needy at times like small children, full of energy ......... plus the "westernised" dogs are so needy, treated all to well.They have their own "beds" , winter coats/jackets with matching hats:-)). Ati, at times I refuse to play with him and he droops his eyes and lay down looking at me with pitiful eyes ahhhhhhhhhh but in Africa ati what? there is no petting anyone or even getting good meals(maybe Miss Drummond will understand the dog food outrage) . So let me tell you a real life experience with the Kenya dog....................

My Grandpa had 5 dogs at all times .... dangerous creatures who would have tore you apart if you dared visit the compound without a familiar escort . Manze, the shamba boy used to cook this huge sufuria of uji and if they are lucky some bones on the side or matumbos. Infact, they used to know when there was a "sikukuu" or when Grandpa used to feel generous enough and get nyama from "towni" mainly on weekends.. No Dog Chow or treats for a Kenyan doggy that's for sure....

Then, there was nothing like herbal bath shampoo or bath for that matter. Rain water did all the trick, and I guess the long rain season must have been the cleanest season for dogs then:-)))

Also, the abuse the dogs had to undergo on the hands of the shamba boys if they refused to obey orders such as getting into their kernels after dawnwas not a pleasant one. This encompassed verbal insult such as "kwenda wewe, ingia ndani , "kumbafu wewe ", some kicking on the stomach and some real caning too or hitting with whatever object was at his disposal. Yep, African dogs get no warnings or pat on the back. It is military style treatment and this is called "animal cruelty" in some other worlds:-)

You see those lethal creatures would not be let out during the day for they were mischievous and dangerous to themselves and the chickens. They had no mercy on the chickens and I can understand why. You see, after being fed those juicy chicken legs and bones once in a blue moon, how can you blame the dogs if they are let loose and they see that finger lickin good chicken wandering around? It used to be drama wacha the Madagscar (the movie) drama of turning carnivorous but the chasing that involved the two is unimaginable. There would be the dogs barking, the chicken quacking (yelling help) and us running ( my bro and cousins at the age of 8-11 ) after the dog to stop terrorising our next meal but alas god forbid and the dog decides to subject its wrath to us and takes all its frustration on the back fired hunting spree. The screaming , the barking and quacking was an all to often scenario in our compound

In the evening , the dogs would be let out at six and sometime I think my grandpa used that as a curfew so as to know who was sneaking out or coming in late (my uncles + aunties) . My grandpa was disciplinarian and you had to be in the compound at six and beyond that, you had better come up with a good excuse of where you wandering around at that hour. So by default if you jumped (yes the gate used to be locked too at six) over the gates after six o'clock, the boys would bark mercilessly and of course my grandpa had to come out and with the floodlights all on you, can't hide and seek for the only other entry to the compund was through the shamba with the matope , the nappier grass and trust me the dogs would come after you, for now, you have set yourself up for their lethal tearing by become the real tresspasser. Those baggers would put someone in trouble and you can understand the love -hate relationship afterwards:-).


The following morning was not such a pleasant time for the shamba boy because it meant collecting all that "shit" on the compound- Yes Kenyan dogs have no duty call or a specific corner, it is those of "where they feel it ,is where they dumb it"-)... and it stunk like a skunk damn, well with eating all the junk thye can get hold of during the night, that biogas outcome is to be expected!!!! .Cleaning the kernels was another morning duty as well before the dogs could get back in and of course take roll call.

For some strange reasons, some dogs I guess had a dream too and wanted freedom, some would sneakout and in the process get their skin scratched while going to pledge to the neighboring female dogs only to reappear late morning looking all tired after a rendevous night :-) and hungry but of course only left overs would do - the cold uji and some beating by the frustrated shamba boy who would have been searching for the lost dogs all morning.

At times, we lost a few dogs due to merciless farmer and neighbor's frustration with the chicken terrorism during the night in their compound , the poor dogs would get lethal weapon of poisoning and two days later, they would be no more or at times they would come limping after a sufuria or god knows what, would have landed on their hind legs as they escaped.

Unlike the Western world where dogs actually get proper burial, the dead dog in our compound was not bestowed such honors , there was no ceremony , flowers or tears.. just burying the dead dog on the darkest corner of the shmaba and the next day get a puppy from someone who has too many a puppies for free.

Anyway that my dog life experience as part of my growing up and now I'm living with one,in the same house, sleeping on my couch, shedding fur all over the place. It is still a little bit unsettling for me. I do not mind it as such but one thing the dog better know/recognize is, I will not be kissing or being licked by it .....that ..no way!!!!! I aint got that much "wendo". I think for this reason , Bo(that is his name) is finding me very strange as compared to his owner for when it comes to being all lovey dovey(sp), licking and all , I 'm evading him like a plague and hope one day he shall understand that I was used to the Kenyan dog , the dog that knows no love but a kick and "Kwenda huko":-)))

TAGGED BY WHIS.........

I was tagged by the charming young ma Whis http://whisperinginn.blogspot.com, so here ya go!

1. Favourite Kenyan Food-

Mukimo wa miji and stew of Mbuzi , carrots and Kenyan salad , the way we make it (small pieces not chunks of cucumber, lettuce American way)
- Nyama Choma na kachumbari
- Fried fish,then simmered with lots of onions and tomatoes and served avec spinach and home made Chips…yummy!
- Githeri”kia mbembe njua”(soft maize):-)

2. Favourite Kenyan Drink-

MuratinaJ kidding, ahh Tusker baridi!!!

3. Favourite Kenyan TV Programme-

I still get a kick out of “Tushauriane” .Where can I get episodes on dvd ?

4. Top 3 Kenyan Hangouts-

Used to be Carni of course, still will be when I get back .- I don’t know any of those new joints ,so this question shall be answered when I land in the republic soon although word has it “Kengele is the place to be!

5. Top Holiday Kenyan Destination-
-Mombasa /Malindi of course,whitesands area has awesome cottages , maneno ya hotel time table siwezani, want to eat when I want not on someone else schedule while on vacation:-)
-Mt Kenya Safari Club -Nyeri
-Nanyuki –awesome place, awesome
-Karatina – My cucu’s place of course!!!!!!!!
- Nyeri – Outspan golf country club & Aberdare Country Club6.

3 Kenyan phrases you use a lot (ati, nini, nani and bilaz DO NOT count)!
-Wacha wewe!!!:-) ( will you stop)
-Tiga wana (stop nonsense)
- Uga( sema)
- Fala! ( Stupid/silly)
- Manze ( I sayJ
7. Three things about Kenya/Kenyans that make you go ‘hmmm’-

Bad behaviour – Muchene, gossip gossip!
-Copy cats! Every house has an identical wall unitJ, sofa and carpet .
- Kenyans who think writing good Queen English or even maiming the hippy American English is something to feel petho for, when you cannot speak Swahili or better yet your mother tongue well ....( Yes I have said it, shoot me!)

8. Three things non-Kenyans say about Kenya/Kenyans that make you go ‘hmmm’

- How long have you been in the US? (What is it to you ? By the way some people use this to gauge you on your looks, you know “you clean so well”J)).
- Where did you learn to speak good English like that?(on the plane on my way here, what do you think?)
- Have you ever seen a lion( Yes, I have one as a pet, infact it has a designated corner in our hut that it sleeps at)

9. Three things about Kenya/Kenyans which non-Kenyans ought to know
- We all do not run!!!!!!!!
- Kenya is beautiful, intriguing , challenging and still evolving country!!!
- There is more to Kenya than Safari and Masaai Mara

10. Complete this sentence: I am Kenyan because......

I look Kenyan, I speak Kenyanese, I have a kenyan name, I adore Kenya , My parents are Kenyan etc.

And finally – list 3 members of the Kenyan Blog Ring you would like to see complete this quiz.

JKE(Especially you JKE)
Instigator
Cute - Angel

Dog food for the African Children

Miss Drummond herself........................................





"Officials in drought-stricken Kenya recoiled with outrage to a plan by a New Zealand woman to send "dog food" for starving children, even as she said the product was fit for human consumption."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060131/hl_afp/kenyanzealanddrought_060131173416

I have no words on this.,... I didn't know whether to cry, feel sorry for my people or laugh..This is beyond insult..and to think some people agree on this .................................

So now Poor Africans children have been reduced to animals and for that mattter "Mbwa". God have mercy!!! How long shall Africans suffer this way ? How long God will you let us be a play ground for the rich ........ She has the Nerve - Mzungu Mchawi!!!! She must a very damn white woman to come up with the damnest idea ever. If she wants to help , why not raise funds with her dog food and buy proper food fit for human consumption?

I need Love

I need love, love
ooh, ease my mind
And I need to find time
someone to call mine;

My mama said
You can't hurry love
No, you'll just have to wait
She said love don't come easy
But it's a game of give and take
You can't hurry love
No, you'll just have to wait
Just trust in a good time
No matter how long it takes

How many heartaches must I stand
Before I find the love to let me live again
Right now the only thing that keeps me hanging on
when I feel my strength,
ooh, it's almost gone

I remember mama saidYou can't hurry love
No you'll just have to waitShe said love don't come easy
It's a game of give and takeHow long must I wait
How much more must I takeBefore loneliness
Will cause my heart, heart to break?
No, I cant bear to live my life aloneI grow impatient for a love to call my own
But when I feel that I, I can't go on
Well these precious words keep me hanging on

Courtesy of Phil Collins

But seriously I need love and a Kijana to call my own!!! I'm getting tired of being single...but alas where to get a good one? Although, over the weekend I was given the advice that I'm too stringent with my requirements, so I should lower my standards .........Huh ?

What is wrong with wanting a non-traditional man who will not expect a bakuri of hot water and a towel as I kneel down and wash his hand to eat that Ugali which I toiled cooking for him after I got home. Mind you, this is after sitting on the traffic jam for 1hr? ...and then, come bed time I 'm expected to "Roll over and give him some sugar"-) and 1 minutes later, he rolls over and sleeps like a baby while I'm still wondering what the heck was that?

What is wrong with wanting a man who I can be myself with even when I ride a bike with him in the park even when it is not so African to do as a woman ?

What is wrong with wanting a man I can sit next to while him and his kijana buddies talk politics or Golf even and I actually has some points of my own in the discussion? What is wrong with wanting a man who we can talk for hours and hours about anything under the sun without being looked at as I talk too much.

What is wrong with wanting a man who will not question my dressing style when we go to a party and not call it "that is too sexy, you are a married woman now, need to dress like a married woman.....:-)".

What is wrong with wanting a man who once in a while will cook and do laundry without making a big deal out of it after all, he loves me and this is an act of love right?

What is wrong with wanting man whose idea of fun is not drinking all weekend but likes adventure such as hiking, driving aimlessly just enjoying the earth and its magnificent sites.

What is wrong with wanting a man who actually enjoys being physically fit and looking good just as he expects me to look like Janet Jackson ?


Is that too much to ask of a potential mate ? If it is, then I'm doomed.

Rescue Mission - Israel to the Rescue

Is there a reason an Israel flag is hosted on the site or is a sign on patriotism or is to trademark the area. Imagine if all the countries that came to help in ground Zero hosted their flags on the site ?okay stop critizing Irena..these men were of great help..

Concrete strategy
"Our lethargic and reactive nature, as opposed to being pro-active, was evident during the rescue operations at site of the collapsed building in Nairobi. The public, who were the first to arrive at the scene, did their best, using their bare hands, to save those trapped under the rubble. You have to give it to them for working tirelessly with minimum supervision. The rescue efforts were so uncoordinated that no one even thought of the much-needed basic equipment.
Enter members of the Israeli Defence Force's Home Front Command, nearly 20 hours later, and we we saw what is possible — if we are organised — as they first got the drawing of the building, set up their equipment and asked for "simple advanced equipment", according to public works assistant minister, Joshua Toro, like sledge hammers, pickaxes, spades, and may be even pairs of pliers.
When the President Mwai Kibaki visited the scene over 24 hours later, he later declared that Kenya would buy from the Israelis "the rescue equipment they used". Mr President, are the Israelis selling brains? That is what they used. "http:///www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=31&newsid=65961


Now that Mr. Clay has beat me to it (he always talks about issues that I have in mind but never get to blog about, but I'm a huge fan of this Kenyan articles'), lets talk about this. A blogger pointed out to me the other day and asked why Kenya does not have a rescue Disaster Team and it seems whenever there is adisaster it takes an Israel ,US and UK team to do the work.

Fine, not to harshly criticize the government for lack of one but as Mr. Clay has pointed out it requires organization. As he cites above, the Kenyans public with their goodwill and the human compassion did a good job of using their bare hands and coming to the rescue.

However, truth be told, if we had at least a disaster team that responds to such who in turn coordinates with the Kenyan police to keep wananchi at bay and allow the ambulances, Kenya Red Cross and other disaster response teams and organized volunteers to quickly get to work , then perhaps more lives can be saved in such an event. I'm sure there is time wasted when such a disaster happens and I know it first hand for I was there in August 1998 ; the chaos that be fell the bomb site then was unimaginable.

We do of course need Israel but again the tools needed to break the concrete and to dig the trapped do not necessarily need to come from Israel because the response time "a flight away" is a lifetime for someone trapped underneath the debris. This is yet another rescue mission lesson 101 that kenya is learning the hard way but these are issue that need to be discussed as well and maybe when World Bank is busy giving cash left and right, they can save a buck or two and channel it to such areas "Disaster Response Fund"?. For Example the funds can be sub granted towards a jua kali project where all those shovels , wheel barrows, pick axes that Clay talks about can be made.

By the way do we have a mayor in Nairobi? Should he have been the first at the site like Giuliani was the face to reckon with in New York.........?

Ultimate Sunday Ritual ---- Pure Delight!!!

Yaani relaxing music ..delightful


There can never be a better chocolcate than this! I'm totally obsessed!


The scent and the hue around the bath tub ...mama mia!


A total bath without this dunno.....the fragrance inaweza toa Nyoka shimoni:-) Yum!

This is a ritual I enjoy tremendously better than S@#####.... oops maybe not ..........:-) even that handsome young man that I wish for (wink) cannot replace this......:-)))

Loan to Fight Corruption -Huh?

The World Bank' World Bank said on Wednesday it had approved a $25 million loan for Kenya's fight against corruption, but urged authorities to discipline ministers linked to a graft scandal that widened this week.

"The anti-corruption loan will go to the agriculture, trade, finance, planning and local government ministries to strengthen financial management and auditing of public funds to improve transparency and accountability in government expenditure"

Am I the only who do not get the sense of why we need a$25 Million to fight corruption? Exactly why are we getting a loan that we shall pay hefty interest on, to fight something when we already know who the culprits are and how they do it?.

What education does one need to catch a thieve? or what kind of equipment or mechanism that are not in place that we need to get a billion for?and then have to pay it back. Will this be a guarantee that there will be no more corruption after the billion is spent ?

Does this make sense ? Isn't this a simple matter of proper bookkeeping and audit trails to ensure transparency and accountability? What kind of accounting/financial softwares and human resources ( CPAs, CMAs CFA, Audit Committee) do we need to monitor these ministries. Question is, how were the finances of these ministries monitored before? Were they not in place in the first place, only that they have not been utilized properly ?

Should we be burying ourselves in more debt?

Please someone , help me get this?

What they are being driven in as others die of Hunger

It really pays to be a Kenyan Minister doesn't it? It must be nice!!

Standard Newspaper

Black Jesus

Well, well, well, the son of man was black too..... no? This is bound to create some controversy, I wonder who will be the first to cast the first stone......
"We have to accept that Christ has been hijacked a bit -- he's gone very blonde haired and blue-eyed," he said. "The important thing about the message of Christ was that it is universal. It doesn't matter what he looked like." True that!!!

African Movie Stars Honors -Debut.

Okay, shame on me, for I get so engulfed in Hollywood movie stars that I forget our very own stars.Not only are they very talented, but in most cases get so little attention . They do deserve recognition that for sure.
Aside, Drew Barrymore, aside Halle Berry, aside Julia Roberts, you have nothing on this woman. My adoration for her caught on Sarafina (1992) and I bet most of us saw her for the first time. Her portrayal of an outspoken high school woman on apartheid and injustices in South Africa drew us into tears.
Then, she had a role in “Cry the beloved Country “ besides Earl Jones. She was in Hotel Rwanda and her next main role was in Yesterday.

I watched Yesterday, the other day (shame on me) and she acted with such grace and she moved me into tears. Her dedication on this role is impressive. She had a role in Zulu (not sure it has been released yet). So my weekly debut honors goes to Actress is Leleti – Keep up the good work, your grace and talent is way beyond hollywood!

MAMI AMESEMA.....

"First Lady Lucy Kibaki yesterday said she would vie for a political seat in the next General Election.

NGAI BABA - WHERE, OTHAYA? RULE BY IRON FIST. KAMA BWANA AMESHINDWA, "I WILL SHOW THEM"

Without giving details, she said she had been motivated to make the decision after realising that people close to the President were letting him down.

BEWARE!!!

Lucy KibakiLazy people, she said, should be voted out of office in the coming elections, while those in the Civil Service should be sacked.

AHOY AHOY AHOY!!!

"I have received complaints from leaders who were unable to access the President at State House. I am surprised that this happens because others come to see me and I fix their problems.
"I see no reason why State House should block anybody from seeing the President. Appointments must be made and all leaders given equal opportunity to see the President," she said.
Mrs Kibaki demanded to know why leaders from Nyandarua District had not been given an appointment to visit the President at State House.
"Once I receive a report, action will be taken to discipline those involved,
She told a cheering a crowd at Leshau High School in Nyandarua District, where she accompanied the President on a tour of the area.

YES, IT IS TOUGH LOVE FROM NOW ON!!!


Two years ago, the First Lady was in the news when she differed with the State House comptroller Matere Keriri in Mombasa.
Mr Keriri was later relieved of his duties and given a job as the chairman of the Kenya Electricity Regulatory Board. "

DO NOT BUTT HEADS WITH THE MOTHER OF THE NATION LEST YOU ARE FIRED!!!

Copyrighjt of Nation Newspaper

For the love of my Country - Helping Drought Victims

Does anyone know a legitimate Kenyan online based org one can use to contribute to help the hunger striken Kenyans? I'm sure the $10 dollars I would have used for a latte or something unneccesary will go a long way for someone in my dear country. Please let me know!!.

You would think our Kenyan Newspapers would offer a free banner advertising for such in this time of crisis for those us who are abroad and would like to assist where we can .

What became of the World?

What happened when making friends was easy and didn’t require much effort?
What happened when people met, clicked and never became suspicious of each other?
What happened when hello meant just a hello but not “I want something from you”?
What happened when liking someone was not compounded by brakes of what to say and not what to say but just be oneself?
What happened when a woman or a man could say I love you and never to be looked at as “I want to sleep with you”, but I just like you for you nothing more?

What happened when one didn’t have to put brakes on liking but just like anyway?
What happened when people liked and didn’t stop because they were afraid, the other might want something more out of the liking?
What happened when people genuinely liked each other without much pretence or fakeness?
What happened to the world when expressing one’s liking was not encountered by hostility, fear and frown?

What happened when people liked and continued doing so even when a better likable person came along?
What happened when people liked you for one moment ,stayed and didn't go without explanation?
What happened when innocent liking was never perceived to be anything but just that?
What happened to the innocent world when people just liked without explanation but just seeking good friendship?

What happened to the GENUINE World?

Burn! Baby Burn!

BURN !!!BABY BURN .........................
"Turbo Jam's Chalene Johnson packs each workout with calorie-blasting kickboxing, body sculpting, and the hottest dance music—all guaranteed to give you jaw-dropping results, no matter what your fitness level. Plus, you'll get killer abs without ever doing a single sit-up. So get in on the action that's rocking thousands of fitness clubs across the nation—and start jammin' right in your own home! It's fast. It's fun. It works."

I love fitness and I have a mini library of workout videos, which I use when going to the gym especially Winter time is no fun.

This is no marketing clitche' but this DVD ROCKS!. ' If you are looking for Janet Jackson abs , Jlo butt, and Tina turner killer legs for that beach bod this summer , then this is the workout video. Love it! love it! plus the jammin involved oh la la la!!!.....

Origin of Word "Karatasi"

A friend shared this with me and I thought I would share with y'all

"
I have a hobby of tracking the origin of words. So let me tell you the origin of the word karatsi in Swahili.
Starting in the 1500s when the Portuguese started calling on the ports of Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, every time a ship from Portugal pulled into port, all the Portuguese who were waiting for the ships would row out to the arriving ships shouting : Cartas! Cartas! Cartas! What they received - if anything - were rolled pieces of paper! You see the word "cartas" means "letters". The marooned Portuguese were starved for news from Portugal and could not wait to
read their letters! Receiving and distributing letters was an important ritual
among the Portuguese. The on-looking Africans eventually referred to all paper as "cartas" which eventually became "karatasi" in Swahili".

Breaking News!!!!! Angelina & Pitt !!!

Angelina Jolie is expecting a baby this summer with Brad Pitt, finally affirming the long-presumed relationship previously only glimpsed on African beaches(Kenya beach ...dumb ass... African is not Kenya) and in paparazzi snapshots."

Waoh this is bigger than Sharon-Israel Pm stroke,, Judge Alito gruelling by Democrats etc. This was the the first thing I heard this morning on today show with their morning news!

Aiii -I would hate to be Jennifer Aniston right about now (oh I never cared about her!!!) .I'm no hater but I was never her fan and always thought Brad derserved a better lady..but what do I know?......Oh I'm playa hatin now but lakini Angelina's beauty (even with her some weird behavior like french kissing her own brother, her lesbian encounters and not to forget the famous "blood necklace" with bob thorton) is to die for. I have a non sexual crush:-))) on this woman( Nothin wrong with admiring a beautiful woman or is there?:-). She is intriguing and Brad Pitt better not screw up on this one!!! Anyway just some hollywood gossip to end the day and what a lovely couple they make!
Funny the main comment on this "breaking news" was on the "genes" of the baby and how cute the baby will be, they even had a computer generated image (whatever they call that) of how the baby will look like etc...For Pete's sake! US press is just too shallow at times . If I heard that from E! or Access Holywood, I would not be thinking shallow, that is to be expected lakini Matt lauer and Katie Couric on Today Show ..Give me a break!

YOU MEAN SO!!

I met someone, online .
We met sometime .
He/she' now means a lot to me,
I need to tell him/her so.

We write each other when we can
On that I can depend.
I so look forward to his/her mail,
His/her informative mail, his/her sense of humor,
He/she has become my close friend.
Feel like we knew each other past life
We chat about little things;

Sometimes,
we dig deep----Into our present, past and future.
He/she makes me smile, he/she warms my heart,
A nice person that he/she is,
Sweet, kind and gentle
He/she has become this and more to me
I know we'll never come to know,To see, to touch, to feel--
We're tied to other worlds ,This fact is very real.

Even though .
He/she'll always have a "special place"

Loved him/her almost from the start.

For you..I needed to let you know that you mean so and much more and miss you when you are all too busy to chat.

Must Read for all you Political Economists!

Political Economics was by far my best class ever in my school days (how fast years go by). Anyway my current read and a must read for all you interested in knowing how global economic works in ''reality". Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" by John Perkins is the book that will open your eyes .

I would recommend this to all our Politicians to read this book (Do they read?) and maybe when they are busy signing those dubious contracts with the Mzungu Corporations and smiling for the camera as they do it then they will know that they are selling their country heftly or what michael jackson sings"Selling your soul to the devil". Yeah the World bank and IMF those Multinationals and what have you , are all in it with their ridiculous reforms on how to make a country healthy economically when all along they are digging a deeper hole that we will ensure that we do not get out debt and continue to pay interest to the loans till the end of time(another blog another day).

The books outlays the corruption, greed , name it and yet none of these corporation's home country are on the top list of the most corrupt. So when we join in and condemn Kenya for being corrupt and clap to the so called organizations findings of how corrupt we are, maybe we might want to ask who makes us corrupt anyway?. In short this book tells it all and it is about time we stopped looking at Western countries as Demagods whose morality is at the peak !
P.S " NEW AFRICAN" biweekly magazine is worth your money. Superb articles on the real africa owned and written by Africans who tell as it is in a very positive way. Love this Mag.

New Year..........

Another year ? or is it just another day with a different number ending "06" . I bet is just another year for the thousands North Eastern residents who are suffering from hunger( Yet we have leaders who are still so power hungry ,that they would care less about the who I would like to call forgotten “other Kenyans”. I hope this serves as lesson to all those who talk the talk and not walk the walk. Why should we be begging for food and yet we wanted to spend millions for a snap elections to remove the so called bad apple Mr. Kibaki for misleading Kenyans and making us worse that we were 20 years ago!. Well it is '06 , lets see what has changed on this arena if at all!

We also have a ice skating ring. Waoh! we have money for such luxury?Private or not private, same thing, the monies could have been used for another worthy cause, like maybe feed hungry children? Surely, how much money will it take to maintain such a ring? Well maybe then, the owners are not into feeding hungry children, how about building a decent shelter for the street children if at all the aim is to make Nairobi more attractive? I suppose with this new interest, we shall have some entry in the next ice skating championships, why restrict our domination only on Marathon huh?. Michelle Kwan, Christina Yamaguchi, here we come!!! Watch out!

It is also another year for U.S and it is renewed warning for visitors to Kenya. You see ,Kenya is such a dangerous ground harbored with murderers who are out to harm any westerner who dare step on that rich red soil of our beloved motherland. Funny, that they issue the warning, just this past Christmas when trying to get a hotel in Mombasa I hear was a nightmare let alone get a flight out of Nairobi to Mombasa .Interesting the Germans, the Dutch,Danish(ask Friend of Kenya blogger, how dangerous Kenya was?), the Italian, the Swede, don’t feel so scared or their souls are not that valuable!

It is yet another year at work same ol’ Bs! different day! It is just another day that resolutions are being made left and right and next Monday oops already broken a few. It is a brand new year where some of us have ushered it with pomp, new lovers who have just discovered each other (happy for you my friend….I wish you all the love, you deserve it and for those of us who missed that bus or wished for it :-), well, that is just too bad but remember do not go for less!!!), new friendship has emerged in the mid of eating Nyama Choma and clicking that “salute” champagne glass. “Salute to a new found buddy!”

So this week, well I’m still in the holiday mood but I will have to sit down and evaluate the last thirty years of my life. You know kinda of SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats) analysis. Yes I ‘m going to treat my life like one big fortune 500 company and hopefully after this process is over (hopefully in the next two weeks) ,then I can charge forward.

You see , I miss Kenya and would like to go back home Kenya and jenga the nchi , lakini where to start .I’m jittery about that thought. There are many what ifs, Woulda, shoulda etc. I have discussed this with a few friends (some are reading this;-) but there is always that uncertainty about the whole deal. Questions like, if I give up what I have here and things do not turn out to be what I thought they would be in the motherland, then what? Will I survive the regrets, the lets downs, the guilt trips , the I should have known?. I do not expect heaven with maana flowing freely that is for sure. I do not expect things to work out like in the “first World” whatever that word means. But there is this hope that it is possible. Many have gone back and made it but is my skin still thick enough or will I be a mama's girls and chicken out?

Then, there is another thought, how bout commuting from Kenya to US and vice versa? .Is that doable? Can one get a temp jobo for 6 months and run back home to run a business? Does that sound like a crazy out of this world thought? Well, this is the year that decisions have to be made, serious ones ! This is the year of ultimatums and like a fortune 500 company; there will be retrenching /layoffs of the unproductive factor. This SWOT Irena’s life analysis will help me to focus on my strengths, minimize weaknesses, and take the greatest possible advantage of opportunities available and surely after 2006, there will be a take off point somehow