There’s something about rain. How else would you explain a 10-hour rain sounds video (just one of many) on YouTube? Or the countless rain sounds apps with up to 5-star ratings on app stores? Rain reminds me of the immediate traffic gridlock that occurs anytime it pours in my city. Tardy appointments, meetings and dates. The complete shutdown of electricity caused by destroyed electric wires and poles that made me miss my favourite TV shows before the era of streaming and binge-watching. Rain reminds me of my dad’s funeral. That I didn’t have to be grieving in beautiful sunny weather that screams blue sunbeds and chilled cocktails. I love when it rains. It makes me feel safe, calm and relaxed. I love the fresh, earthy smell released when the drops hit the earth’s surface. The symphony of droplets on different surfaces that creates pleasant melodies and ethereal feelings inside me. Everytime it rains, I fantasize about a simple, rustic and tin roof cabin that I dream of vacationing in. Rain is a healthier avenue to quality shuteye than one glass of wine and two benadryls. Admit it rainy, read cuddle, weather makes everybody look more attractive. The necessary fashion switch to boots, infinity scarves and layering up is an exciting change. Rain is a soul-soothing sign of new beginnings. A happy realization that just as seasons change, so do situations. That an easy phase will follow a difficult one. But now rain also worries me. When it falls heavily, I fear that it might impare my frequent flyer’s visibility. That related weather conditions might cause flight tech issues beyond my logical but not emotional comprehension. But rain still mesmerizes me and catches me in a trance that eludes the reality of life. So I’ll mark our relationship as complicated.
taking stock 7
Contemplating: Whether to pitch a column to a continental love, sex and relationships info platform. Oh the overflowing inspo!
Wondering: If I should tell my muse of its existence.
Thinking: About said muse all day, everyday.
Listening: To the morning rain, falling just as hard as I have. Though I no longer love rain, blog for another day.
Thanking: God for it nonetheless because it was much needed following the long and brutal drought.
Marvelling: At having just gone through that time of the month without a single doze of painkillers TMI.
Looking: Forward to a spa day for my birthday in a couple of weeks.
Shopping: For gifts for my sister’s family and enjoying it. Huge surprise because I hate shopping.
Reading: Michelle Obama’s Becoming on my Kindle Fire.
Planning: On getting it on paperback because she’s such an amazing storyteller. I need the physical version to dogear it, make notes on it, spill some tea on while devouring it and fully personalizing it.
Working: On resurrecting this blog.
Obsessing: Over the Modern Love podcast.
Bursting: At the seams with love, joy and the related weight gain.
Snacking: On my favourite chilli lemon crisps, chips. Potato, potato.
Discovering: How patient, understanding and strong I can be on the journey when the destination is worth it.
Enjoying: The necessary switch to a warmer wardrobe.
Watching: Almost the entire quirky show line-up on TLC.
Educating: Myself constantly about the new and very different demographic I’m curating content for, humans are for evolving, right?
Praying: About everything.
taking stock 6
Listening: To some amazing old school jams at a cozy little lounge on a detour on the way home.
Wearing: Knee-length boots because what is this Nairobi weather?
Thinking: About retiring to bed in a few hours. I’ve been sleeping, boy have I been sleeping last couple of weeks.
Reading: Beverly Gologorsky’s emotional war story, Things We Do To Make It Home.
Craving: Nothing as I’m drinking what I’ve been craving since, who I’m I kidding? What I’m always craving šš. Peer pressure or is it bad company?
Packing: For some reason, Iām always packing.
Learning: To be a more positive human being, not expecting things to always go South.
Working: On getting back to full-time writing grind mode.
Experimenting: With stained lips less because I would like kisses better.
Counting: Down to the FIFA World Cup 2018.
Munching: On yummy finger foods. Barely an hour after my heavy and very unhealthy late lunch/early dinner. Bye bye beach body.
Making: Mental notes of everything I need to do the rest of this week.
Looking: At my friends like when are we leaving?! It’s Tuesday for crying out loud!
Writing: This blog because I can multi-task, duh!
Watching: Videos of past World Cup matches as I prep to indulge in this year’s, yes I’m obssessive compulsive. In my defence, they’re on tv it’s not like I’m hunting for them online š.
Enjoying: The great content on new podcasts I discover with each passing day.
Loving: Myself more. First. Unapologetically. FOR REAL this time.
Winking: At the cute guy sitting at the bar, directly opposite me.
black panther-my take
So I finally watched Black Panther. I know, an entire month after it’s release- I’ve always been a late bloomer. But waswahili or is it wahenga, I’m not sure who but one of ‘those people’ who say said, kutangulia sio kufika. First it’s FOMO that took me to the theater, Marvel Studios flicks aren’t my thing. I have watched three or four superhero blockbusters before but only because it was for work. Speaking of which, that feels like it was a lifetime ago so this might be a shitty review. So Black Panther did not live up to the hype. The storyline, though interesting enough to keep your attention, is the typical superhero plot: there’s a villain the superhero has to fight for some reason or other; the superhero seems to be losing or even does but only for a little while before reemerging stronger and defeating the villain once and for all Zzz. I didn’t feel any more black or African than I am after watching it or any more proud that I wear my hair natural. What the Wakandan women don’t share is the hard work and time that goes into maintaining natural hair. But what would they know- they had professional hairstylists on set! The film however has impeccable visuals, from the CGI effects to costume design, as expected from Marvel productions. The fight scenes and where T’Challa is getting crowned are simply magnificent. But what stood out for me is the music. Black Panther: The Album co-curated by Kendrick Lamar is a memorable palette of afrobeat, hip hop, soul and other sounds. Kendrick Lamar. Genius. Complemented by a separate original score- the music in Black Panther makes the film more appealing. While I’m glad little black boys have a relatable action superhero to look up to with a stand-alone film to boot, I realized the only reason I was destined to watch Black Panther was to see Michael B. Jordan in a superhero suit mmmmhhh mmmhh mmh.
2018- the year of rest & zero fucks
2017 was a tough personal year for most people I know, myself included. As if the prolonged electioneering period wasn’t draining enough?! The first day of 2017 fell on a Sunday- which I purposely and gladly started at service to dedicate the year to God- as did today, the last day of the year. Today’s sermon was about the Promised Rest for God’s People in Hebrews 4:1-13. I declare 2018 to be My Year of Rest! I enter the New Year believing that God has prepared a place of rest for me just like he had the Israelites of Moses’ day. I will do my best to enter that place of rest by appreciating what God has already provided which requires decision, obedience and commitment. “For all who enter God’s rest will find rest from all their labours… but anyone who disobeys God, as the people of Israel did, will fall.”
I recently adopted a gratitude list in my daily journaling. Literally counting and noting down my blessings. In the New Year, I’m armed with a Gratitude Journal. You’ll be surprised at how many more things you have to be grateful for than complain about daily with this practice.
In 2018, I will also be a selective fucks giver by scaling back on the number of fucks I give. I’m aiming for zero by Valentine’s. So be warned, fucks will be a very rare commodity with me- unless you butter my bread. Fucks should be given in bed and nowhere else!!!
In the New Year, I will aspire to be a better daughter, sister, uncle (Lu now calls me Uncle Millie smh), friend, girlfriend, neighbour, colleague, congregant…
I will treat my body better, drink less soda (I accepted that wine is the air I breath), wash off my makeup before bed, learn a new skill, not do anything I’m great at for free, invest in my relationships, for my future…
Here’s to the New Year, a new beginning for everyone and in everything that needs it!
11 christmas quotes on december 11
What’s the difference between Santa Claus and Tiger Woods?
Santa stops after 3 hos.
1. “Why is Christmas just like a day at the office?
You do all the work and the fat guy with the suit gets all the credit.” Anonymous
2. “O come all ye faithful. Well, there goes 85 per cent of the population.” Meme doing the rounds.
3. “The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.” George Carlin.
4. “A lovely thing about Christmas is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together.” Garrison Keillor, Leaving Home.
5. “Christmas is a state of mind and that special feeling that only comes with an empty bank account.” Melanie White.
6. “Mentally I am ready for Christmas, financially I am not ready for Christmas.” Unknown (might as well been me who said it *wink wink*)
7. “Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people once a year.” Victor Borge.
8. “The smells of Christmas are the smells of childhood.” Richard Paul Evans, The Christmas Box.
9. “Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.” Larry Wilde.
10. “Christmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence.” Joan Mills.
11. “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” Roy L. Smith.
blogmas fail?! nooooo….
“Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.” Dave Barry
You know the sayings bad things happen to good people; bad things happen in threes and when it rains it pours? They all applied to me last week hence not a single blog since last Saturday. Reasons not excuses! From a 12-hour power outage that made me miss church and ruined what would have maybe been potentially hot plans. To insane traffic on Mombasa Road, in worse heat, that resulted in scary road rage leading to an altercation and some scratches by a boda boda. And an airport pickup that went well past 1am; a longer than anticipated salon visit, stubbed toe… Yeah. But it wasn’t all bad. I put up Nana and Luna’s Christmas tree, it’s mostly all silver with just a hint of blue this year. Lu is so excited, she’s beginning to understand Christmas a bit. I’m under strict instructions- and direction- from the Drill Sergent, aka her Mama to ensure that she does as best she can at 21 months. She says Santa and Jingle Bells all the time, in her own launguage but all the same. I also downloaded a couple of holiday apps on her tab- Christmas Carols and games that she’s currently obssessed with. I discovered DStv radio, don’t judge I don’t have that kind of time or energy. More importantly I learned about the special holiday channels 756, which plays holiday favourites you can sing along to and 785 featuring holiday instrumentals. Been on them whenever I can so it’s beginning to feel and look a lot like Christmas within and around me. I got to hang out with some of my extended family members on a cold, wet evening but they brought such warmth, love and laughter. At the most unexpected place and oddest time of day. This was crowned by a fun, long and yummy lunch with my cousin- my weekly lunch date. It’s such a beautiful day today. I have a couple of errands lined up, might do a short playdate with my roomie and then hopefully have some downtime. I’ve been feeling a cold creeping up on me all week. I pray I don’t get sick, I can’t.
Ps: That quote, so true haha.
inventorizing v
“Sweet but twisted. Does that make me a candy cane?”
It’s been a while since we last took stock so let’s:
Watching: More YouTube channels than television shows. On varied topics from fashion and beauty; to parenting; health and lifestyle; and fixing things.
Wearing: RiRi by Rihanna and absolutely loving it! I’m not big on celebrity scents but this one is quite something.
Thinking: About all the guilt-free eating I plan on doing this festive season. I decided that gaining my weight back will be cheaper than getting a new wardrobe and ain’t no way I’m letting my cousin Nungari have my now big clothes that she’s been eyeing š.
Reading: Penny Juror’s The Dutchess, The Untold Story which is tucked behind the cushion of the sofa where I sit; Christian TidBits by Jerry Scott on my Kindle Fire at my bedside; and Kiss Me First by Lottie Moggach in my handbag. It’s been so hard concentrating and finishing a book the last couple of months which I will blame on nothing else but my laziness.
Craving: A chilled glass of Frontera White.
Packing: I’m always packing. For playdates, meals out, long day trips, short vacays… I take care of a toddler and they need lots of stuff in case of incidents which almost always happen, stuff to keep them busy…These coupled with my OCD means I always have a carload of stuff.
Training: My palate to love and enjoy good food. I should join a wine tasting class to help expand it.
Working: On exciting content projects.
Experimenting: With and wearing makeup alot more lately. Which translates to “I look like a total skunk when barefaced”.
Counting: Down to an upcoming much-needed and much-deserved family vacay.
Accepting: That I will miss a huge extended family fete because of it but unfortunately neither plans can be changed š.
Making: Faces for no good reason.
Looking: For travel size toiletry and cosmetic bottles. I don’t know how or why I keep losing mine and the place where I get them ran out and doesn’t plan on restocking.
Writing: Lists. To do lists, packing lists, shoppings lists and a list of ideas about topics I plan to write on.. I’ll remember what I wore on New Year’s Eve in 1949 but I won’t remember what I needed to get from the supermarket when I get to the supermarket smh.
Shaking: My head at my forgetfulness. It’s becoming a real inconvenience to not just me but those around me.
Considering: Getting on the podcast bandwagon. Listening to some not hosting one.
Leaning: Towards more colour in everything: clothes, accessories, food.. There’s something about December that just makes me want to be and look happier. So annoying. I love my normally glum self in all black but I can’t help it.
Loving: Myself more. First. Unapologetically.
i can’t keep calm, it’s blogmas!!!!!
Dear Santa,
I’ve been naughty and it was worth it! I’ll get my own gifts.
Me.
It’s the first day of December 2017! Someone’s birthday, anniversary, the World Aids Day… and the official start of blogmas and vlogmas! This is the period during which bloggers and vloggers post Christmassy content everyday until December 25th. It doesn’t necessarily have to revolve around Christmas but it’s NEW CONTENT EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR 25 EFFING DAYS!!!!!! The Days of Christmas aren’t even that long! For whatever reason most people, myself included, don’t subscribe to the blogs and vlogs we religiously follow. So for all you downlow followers read stalkers of some of the most popular, interesting, controversial bloggers and vloggers online, be on the lookout for fresh content from them everyday from today until Christmas. They most likely are participating in blogmas or vlogmas. If they’re not, time to find yourself a new guilty pleasure! Three of my favourite vloggers have already posted new videos; it’s barely 11am and I’m already entertained and pissed off at the same time. And I also have to create my own content in a mini-blogmas of sorts during which I plan on posting more than I’ve ever in a single month- I’ll be bipolar by Christmas lunch. A complete mess!!! But let blogmas and the Christmas countdown begin!!!!!
my luo man
āI might take a Luo Man home.
A very tall, very very dark and super loud Luo Man whose name must start with an O, one that will leave no doubt as to what part of Nyanza he hails from.
My Luo Man will check all the stereotype boxes of men, and by extension people, from his community. He will shock, scare and annoy the hell out of my fellow ‘villagers’ who will wonder about any and everything about him- in not so hushed tones.
Secretly, they will wonder about the ‘state’ of what’s in his pants but only he and I will know because nothing else should matter apart from what’s between his ears and in his heart.
We might have a little boy who will look exactly like him, whom we’ll give a strong Kikuyu name to complement his Luo surname, the one that must start with an O.
An all Kenyan boy that I one day pray, with others who share a similar heritage, will help quash the ongoing ethnically-fuelled political beef which we have been breaking lifelong friendships and threatening the stability of our country for.
A little boy who, when the time comes, will not have to worry about his mother warning him about bringing a girl from ‘that’ tribe home.
A girl who will check all the stereotype boxes of women, and by extension people, from her community. Just like I might have before her.
A girl he will choose to love because she’s a human being. Like him, his mother and his father, my Luo Man.
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