You phill me?

I haven't been able to pen up a post this year... not because of lack of content (hardly), but my first quarter has been busy, to say the least, just like the first hours of a night preps, before concentration flies out the window.

Speaking of preps, it's been 11 years since I cleared high school and boy have those years flown! You get so caught up with life that you dont notice you're getting older and approaching that age when life really starts. Grateful to God though for that gift.

As I was saying, it's already May meaning the year is almost half way through... no, I aint about to start on that 'ooh resolution this...ooh I haven't done blah blah... I havent accomplished such & such... naah, I don't believe in letting a piece of paper I've drafted myself, to control me. At times, I think it best to just live. So, we aint doing that 'guilt-invoking' write up.... relax. But honestly, I got no issue or problem with those that do resolutions, I was once a disciple of the same, just that I aint no more... to each his own.

Anyhow, I trust that you are well and the rains are treating you well. It was all trolls and memes until a building came tumbling down in Huruma; what a sad reminder of the dangers that lurk. Rudely reminds you that the government really can't help you, neither can your neighbor, at times; only God. But before our good Lord does so, it's prudent that you help You first. Right?
May those who perished in the tragedy rest in peace.

So, what have you been upto yourself? Phill here decide to pay a visit, well a long visit, to elsewhere, just to see how things are done and what life has to offer on those 'exotic' sides of our great land. And what a great land we have. Its my walk-abouts that actually brought me to the realization of the works of devolution, and acceptance of the same.

I remember using some roads, growing up, and how pathetic it would get when the heavens would burst with rains! As a class 7 pupil I would extend my class time after 5 to read on what I hadnt grasped. The cold biting into my flesh as I pulled down my shorts as if they would get longer... my socks streched full-length like a stocking! School was hard!
I remember it would start raining just a few minutes shy to the end of our "upper class preps", as they were called.

Having missed the 4 oclock tea we would shiver ourselves home... teeth chaterring as if clapping for us for our "hardwork" in our studies. Mum had got us a pair of awesome raincoats that became part of my 'backpack family' that also comprised of my textbooks, Bible, dictionary and a water/juice bottle. I called my backpack Zorro! What good times we had. #TBT for those who watched Zorro growing up; we are clocking thate-kitu now... haha :D :D

Zorro had a 'cave' pocket where I would hide my valuables, we talking goody-goody, toffee, patcos, oxford set (most priced possesion), and letters from the then "secret admirers"... felt like a pimp.. haha.. nooo kidding!

I would tuck Zorro well under my raincoat, tighten my shoelace and get ready to run home as it rained. The boy in me wouldnt let me pass puddles of water without splashing on my unsuspecting pals, kick stones and score imaginary goals, slide on muddy tracks...name it! Haha... good old days!

I cant do such those no more... not like I'd want to do it; hahaha. But Its all tarmacked right now. Shops and fruit stalls accentuate the road sides, with street lights towering above them to give the complete montage. It looks beautiful especially at night. I hear these streets have now become prone to date walks and romantic night walks... like those of my campus days when 'hopefuls' would show their gentleman side and walk their crush back to their hostels, then take the looong journey back to their hostles as they monologue, hope, pray.. crossing fingers! Others paid off.

Its what life is all about. Identifying what you want, and going towards it. Working for it. It may not show much, well until later when the foundation-laying is pretty much done. Its only after the slab is completed that the building can come up, course by course till the last nail on the roof. Here my friends, patience is key. The same patience we wait with for Monday to pass by and the weekend can finally get to us! Or that end-of-the-month wait! No?

Whatever it is you do, that's what's yours, whether big or small, that is what you should be proud of coz its what pays your bills and makes your days. Your friends' big jobs can never help you, that's theirs. Be proud of yours. Reminds me of this Safaricom CSE who called me back after I had lodged a complain of my many many GB bundles that had been "eaten" by them.

This Customer Service Executive, I remember, started taking me through that chorus where they try to convince you that 'oooh.. your bundles were consumed by a background system update...ooh.. you must've been downloading a movie..ooh..' you know how that song goes if you have called these guys.

I wasn't gonna let them take me on a Mohombi bumpy ride.. naah.. especially as someone who had worked as a CSE before.. I was ready for them like a mouse trap! And again, even if I was downloading a movie, which I am by the way, but not on my phone... jeez people!!

So Mr. Safaricom guy was getting worked up. I was countering all his moves with that CSE jargon. He never saw it coming. He then resorted to 'dwarfing' me, with professional sarcasm; something that most people dont pick from a conversation. He went like... "my friend, let me tell you, we have handled such cases before and I have people who call complaining to have lost 20GB of data ..."

Wait, what?! Noo he just didnt! I snapped.

I mean, did he think he could cowar me into feeling embarrassed for calling about 3GB while big bosses driving mega guzzlers are making 'eurobond complains'?! I wasnt about to take it lying down.

'Hey hey... easy there Mr. Safaricom. I dont see how telling me about people who lose 20GB while I am making my complaint of 3GBs is any relevant. I know there are people who use 20GB in a day, or in a few hours, but honestly that doesnt concern me. I made a call about MY issue...whether it was 2016GBs or 2MB, my complain is still valid. Address it as it is. Their 20GBs doesnt help me at all honestly; its theirs and rightfully so. My GBs are what concerns me as its what I consume... ok? Kindly address my concern."

Mr. Safcom guy was quiet... I could here him chewing that pie that I had just served him. I got my bundles back to say the least.

Never be ashamed of what is yours, however small or insignificant. It might be 'nothing' to those "rich lords", but hey, their big jobs/cars/houses or whatever are not what or where you eat from, pay bills or treat yourself. They dont help you in any way. Be proud of what you got. No one has the right to put you down. If anything, before they got what they have now, they were once at that beginner level, or worse bruh!

Love what you do, work for it and tend it well.

There's a Jasper lily that has been growing outside my house. I love watching it a times. I am not a fan of flowers but i appreciate a well manicured garden. I water it at times... it is growing steadily but sure. It feels good. It reminds me of a lily back in Nairobi... I been tending it.. and how beautiful it is becoming... my pink sweet lilly.

I will show you one day.

The Chronicles of this place... D.C.

Discount.... this place discount! I walk in through the main entrance. I can't see a face I recognize yet, but nostalgia kicks in heavy! I can hear reggae playing off from a distance, guys laughing and shouting. 'Now that sounds familiar', I say to myself as I head towards that direction like a bee to a flower for nectar.

If you have been to Nairobi West, the town of pubs, pubs and more pubs; then you probably know Discount or have heard about it. Discount, or as it's commonly called, DC; is a shopping mall of sorts, housing close to 50 mid-sized stalls ranging from pubs, salons, food joints, beauty shops, clothes and shoes shops, tire repair centers, soup & meat joints (my favorite) and many more.

Its the perfect "all under one roof" I must say...kinda 'rightfully' so since Nakumatt don't have a soup and meat joint! Haha 

Discount Shopping Center - courtesy of Google.

Having lived in Nairobi West for close to 5 years, I knew most of this joints in and out pretty much. DC  specifically made a huge chunk of that pie chart; well second place after West Mall! Don't get me started on the chronicles of this place,West Mall. It's a mall that has pubs and food joints accounting for about 85% of the businesses set up here. A sort of discount, but now, "uptown". Anyway, story for another day.

DC is then closely followed by that mutura and roho guy... that "fast food" joint maan.. wueeh!! I mean, we talking maini, roho, mafuta choma, mutura, you know... 'zile nyama za ku point' as my friend George Clarence Waynaina would put it; or 'road kill' if you'd like.

I was just a fresh graduate from campus and as life would have it, I had all this adventure ahead of me to live and what better way to start if not from my immediate surrounding? Yeah! I kinda had this 'life-after-campus' thingy all figured out. With a few months to let off some campus steam and before I could start serious job hunting, I was quit psyched up for some exploration!

I walk in to 'Livondo's joint, the famous Edge pub, all excited and expecting a hero's welcome.  My smile slowly fades. It's not the same place anymore. I cant see any face I recognize. The great funky decor that once adorned the walls had now been replaced with ugly pink whitewash paint. What now? I curse as I squeeze myself into the benches that sit where there was once well cushioned seats. I was however quite uneasy; I wasn't about this life anymore. But I needed to check it out, see "how far I had come", you know?

Oh well... I get comfortable and get ready to order 'my cup'. At least to my joy, our guy Jaymo was still there. He is so excited to see me. I get up and we exchange pleasantries. I have to admit I was elated to see him.. I mean I had spent most of my time here and we had become friends. Those campus days when we would skive class and just chill! Talk with my boys hours on end about cars, girls, raves...you know, typical campus dudes vibe.

I ask for a 40 for me and a jug for him.. the dark one! Ooh the bliss after my first sip.. priceless!! Cold and sweet!I couldn't stomach a lot of it though. Jaymo told me how a lot had changed. Some people had left and moved to new places, got better jobs, others, life just happened. I related.

We don't get to chat without a lot of interruptions since Jaymo has to serve the 'faithful' clients all seated squeezed up on each other sipping the dark cold frothy EABL spoils! How they were co existing in harmony. Saying hello to everyone that passed by or was seated next to them. Here at Discount, specifically "kwa livondo" and "kwa chalo', people live in harmony. Its a brotherhood thing! Well, not of the nights watch though, but at least of the drink!

Am sipping from my drink enjoying the Leicester game against some team. I'm trying to follow the game since I had placed my bet on Sportpesa in favor of Leicester but this brother next to me felt the need for us to bond, well, he insisted we do.

He goes on and on how he has been drinking from morning and he was so pissed at this point in his life. Ain't everyone too at some point? Anyhow, I ask him how and why he would opt to start imbibing the drink that early. Nijo tells me how he had reported to work late at Kenyatta hospital where he had been a casual laborer for a month now at the new building coming up there.

He had always done mjengo work most of his life. That previous night, he had had a quarrel with his wife of one year, after she had told him she needed 3,000/- to go to Mombasa since a friend of hers had promised her a job at a local pub in Ukunda.

Nijo tried to tell her wife how it was risky traveling that far for a job she wasn't sure was gonna be there for her by the time she got there. Again, his lack of that money would delay her cause further.
"Hakutaka kuskia sina pesa! Elfu tatu ningetoa wapi na unaona vile mwezi iko corner??" He asks as he helps himself to a cigarette.
I am deeply engrossed in Nijo's stories I didn't even realize Leicester score if  not for the cheers and jeers during soccer games.

I am relaxed now after the score. I had bet big in this particular game and if we won my weekend would have been a couple of thousands better.

By this time, I had started seeing familiar faces and would occasionally interrupt Nijo as we greeted and chatted for a few minutes as Nijo puffed away seeming deep in thought.

"Sasa ulipata hiyo elfu tatu?" I ask startling him off his day dream.

"Nitoe wapi brathe?!"wacha ata hivo, si nimevutwa kazi juu ya kuchelewa leo! Me nakwambia brathe wanawake si watu wazuri!"

Arms crossed over my chest I follow Nijo's unfolding drama as he laments repeatedly about how "wanawake ni manyoka sana" Oh, this was one pissed brother!

Turns out their fight lasted for about two hours as they hurled bitter words at each other. Nijo was so mad that he didn't eat the Ugali-managu she had prepared! I remember how his face said more than what he was actually telling.

"Umewai ona ni kama chakula inakuchekelea? Yaani vile iko kwa hiyo sahani inakucheki brathe ni kama imetumwa ikuchokoze! Si ati ata chakula iko na nyama ama tu royco, ni supu ya hiyo managu tu, na inakaa kama turungi! Alafu saiyo bibi ni kelele tu anapiga! Shetani kabisaa..."

Nijo was mad, and heart broken. He would rant minutes on end how he would at times find his wife at her  kibanda gossiping, all dolled and spruced up.

"Mbona mtu ajipige marashi na apake hiyo mavitu yao kama anauza mboga? Ni nani huyo anavalia vizuri hivo akienda kazi? Mimi ashawai ona kama najipaka hiyo mafuta nikienda kazi? Na pesa yangu tu ndio anakula" He puffed hard, blowing the smoke up as it furiously spread out and hang over the place as if to imitate his agitation.

I laughed hard! Now that was a jealous and insecure brother; though deep down a part of me empathized with Nijo. I try challenge him and tell him how "wanawake" are allowed to "glow and shine" at least a little. Sentiments that didn't sit well with Nijo.

Fast forward and after tones and tones of exchange and serious talk; sporadically having to scold him and give that 'big brother talk' when clearly he was actually qualified to be big brother here.

I ask for a second helping, and one for my already drunk, new friend. We were best of buds now. Laughing and talking like he was my schoolmate from back in class 6! And you wonder why EABL had the slogan "makes us equal, has no equal! *sips beer*

The game was over and the MPESA text from Sportpesa was delivered to my phone. Feeling like a million bucks, I had to snake Nijo to go check out the other joints. After thanking me repeatedly and showering me with blessings of "a better wife than his" (a prayer I said a big Amen to), I shook his hands with a few notes well tucked in, to see him off. Nijo gets up, trying to keep his balance, salutes and thanks me repeatedly after peeking to see how much I had given him.

I walk off thinking how tough one can be having it in this so called life. It was clear that his wife wasn't loyal and that she had been invited to Mombasa by an old male friend after they connected on Facebook. Nijo had suspected his wife was having an affair since she had started acting different. It ain't rocket science, but most of the time when someone starts acting all weird and different, bih must be cheating! Ain't shitting you one bit!

That aside. I make several stopovers 'hollaing' ma fans. The soup place is packed. De Matthew's songs blaring in the speakers. The setting isn't as different from the Livondo's place only that here, there was a sober crowd of older men having talks in vernacular talking about how things have changed, how ladies wear inappropriately, how food has become so expensive, how phones came to "spoil people's minds".
Am tempted to ask how the phone issue was true.
"Habari zenyu? Wacha niulize, nimeskia mkisema simu zimeharibu watu; aje?"

I ask as I'm served my ulimi and kichwa ya mbuzi served on a platta and a steamy hot soup with pilipili submerged in it. (Guys, this is a must have... all these men don't just crowd for soup coz they don't have something better... the benefits..guys, the benefits!)

Mbuthia, the older man in the group indulges me with serious insights of how a phone is a distraction. On how we spend our times 'bent down' staring at a screen not even noticing those around us.
"People have become strangers! How do you travel from say Nyahururu to Nairobi seated next to a fellow human being and not have a normal conversation about the weather, if not, how the economy is deteriorating?" he posed

I get serious lectures and lessons like it was 1972! My phone had been vibrating and ringing off the chains! But catch me dead trying to pick it during "class"! Wueeh! I get an extra cup of soup for being 'a good student' a favor that I return by getting then "maini ya mia"

It was 5.30 already; how fast that afternoon had gone by! Didn't feel wasted though, been outchea doing some good! :-) 

I had to say hi to Jolanta though! This pretty mamma was quite something! I remember our first interaction. I was just a bit tipsy and I had passed by her beauty shop without 'checking her out' as was kinda the norm... and she would shyly smile as always.

'So leo how come you've pitad without checking?' I remember how she engaged me.

'What? You speaking to me?" I ask as my excitement soars!

'Eeh..am asking what you have drunk today you ain't noticing me?!' She rolls her eyes. Oooh.. this mammy, this one! I think to myself. I laughed .. I didn't have an answer for that, but I thought fast!

"Haha... I did notice you, but I didn't have words to say; not when you look all angelic as this!" I flattered.

Ooh how that statement made her laugh!! All giggly and excited like a form 2 chick who had just got her first kiss!!

We chat and catch up for a while before I could go to West Mall... Nairobi West Mall. I had a stall to check out for a friend who was starting out a new business. I drop down towards the mall... the memories that this place holds... I smile as i pass by the security check. Let me get to it then I can have more to tell you in my next post. Be safe, will ya? *selfies out*

#TTYL.

Of worries and problems... and that one Friend

I board a Metro Shuttle hurriedly trying to beat that 8 o'clock deadline to clocking in at work.

As usual, I look for a seat by the window; I love me some cool air, all the time. I hate it when I have to keep requesting the person seated by the window to "please fungua dirisha kiasi"; pleas that are always answered with mean looks and in worst case scenario, being ignored. I giggle and plug in my earphones.

Luckily today, I get an empty seat by the window and gladly make myself comfortable. I glance at my watch; 7 minutes to time. I panic. I'm tempted to assist the 'kange' in calling out for "wawili wa haraka" so we can start the ride to Westy.

"Just why is it that when I'm in a hurry, the mat takes forever to fill up? It should be full already!" I complain to no one in particular.

I'm looking outside the window; people-watching; something that I've come to love lately. Short, tall, dark, light skins, you know, name them. It gets me thinking. Where are all these people headed. Of course, most of them to work. But still...

So I take turns to do role plays. Identify one person, analyze them and think what their name is, where they could possibly be working, and what position. Are they married? snobs? boring? would we 'click' with them? I know! I didn't think I'd do that at times. Oh well. Try it. It's an awesome distraction as you wait for "wawili wa haraka"

My chain of thought is disrupted by a lady who sits next to me. She is a bit bigger than me so she over laps on to my seat, her heavy arms resting on my shoulder and arm. I'm pissed. I give her that mean look. She doesn't flinch. So I'm like "eeiiish madam" and it finally gets me a "sorry". Am cool peoples so I smile and squeeze myself to accommodate my new 'friend'.

We finally leave the stage. By my watch, 5 minutes are gone already, am left with 2 to go. There's no way I'd hack.

Maina and King'ang'i aren't making my situation any better! Saying how they get to work early and how lucky they always are not being caught up in the morning rush! Just perfect!  My phone volume is at max but they got nothing on these JBL speakers on this 'nganya' blaring Classic FM, as always. I give up, unplug my earphones, rest my head on the window and start my daydream.

I get back to my new 'hobby'. As I scan through the throngs of people pacing about the streets, my eyes rest on this old man. He is walking slowly, due to age probably, with his walking stick guiding his way. He looked homeless, or so I thought. He has to keep his balance as he makes his way through the fast moving, shoving crowd. His left arm wrapped in dirty tattered bandage, with a sling over his shoulder. He makes several stops in front of each of the stalls asking for money. Stretching out his green cup slowly, trying to hold still amid the shaking.

It gets me thinking. Where could his family be? Did he even have one? Kids?What could have led him to the streets? Has it been the case all his life? In pity, I wondered. I keep on these thoughts and many more dragging me to how we all have problems. Young people being unemployed, those employed seeking for greener pastures, faulty and broken relationships, failing marriages... list endless. We all have a burden we are carrying. That which keeps at you almost all the time. You try to forget about it but it somehow finds a way to creep back to your head.

I alight at the Westlands stage. I'm not even perturbed by the 8 o'clock deadline anymore; I mean, I was late already. I saunter to the office bogged down with my own concerns and worries. I feel a little worked up with the situation. In life, there's always something that we wish and want to change but we cant. A disloyal friend, a nagging neighbor, mean people, headaches, and petty stuff like biting your tongue during meals or worse, hot tea burns. damn! There are worse though.

I'm approaching the office and I have to slip in unnoticed. I call my partner in crime, they come in handy these ones. She doesn't pick though; I was alone on this one. Roho juu, with a killer excuse ready, I head for the door. Just as I was about to grab the door handle, the door flung open and I froze. My worst fears were confirmed. The man himself, my boss, right in front of me! I went blank.

He was on phone so he walks past me and I dash in. How lucky can I be? I cross my fingers hoping he will be busy with work and it'll slip his mind. And then again, I was just like 11 minutes late, so...it wasn't thaaat bad.

"Hi Janet?" I greet our janitor as I make my way to my desk.

"Hey Phill, how are you?" You are early today!

"Right?!" I exclaim; wishing my boss would hear that. Ha ha

I log in ready for the days work. Janet is busy cleaning up, whistling a tune. I pause to gather what song she was jamming to... "What a friend we have in Jesus"

Wait; well, I know the song, at least the chorus, but I don't really know how all the verses go. I google up the words.Ooh... bliss! Check this out:

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.
4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
   Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
   May we ever, Lord, be bringing
   All to Thee in earnest prayer.
   Soon in glory bright, unclouded, There will be no need for prayer—
   Rapture, praise, and endless worship
   Will be our sweet portion there.

There it was. A simple prayer and comfort; for all your worries and problems.

I smiled.

This Little Light Of Hers ...

I walked into this office and the decor 'hijacked' my attention! Seriously, it did!And so did the lass seated on the huge mahogany desk with the words "Reception" screaming at me.

"Hi, how may I be of help?" she asked, almost rhythmically.

I stretched out my hand to shake hers; there it was! As simple as that, I got her to give me her number. A long firm hand shake, eyes peering directly into hers, a smile that lingered on for a while and small talk while teasing, making fun and shoving compliments her way. And oooh...she didn't see it coming! Haaa!

Enough of my flossing...we'll get to that later..when, rather if, I get to post the selfie we took, on that same day! I tell you, she didn't see it coming.

My meeting started rather immediately I got into that office. I did not know how to handle him, if small talk was good or to just get to it.

"Let's get to it. Thanks for creating time off your busy schedule to host me. My partner, as communicated in the email, wouldn't make to be here with us; but I shall do my best to share what we have extensively as I can." I said.

"You're welcome. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Please, feel at home. Coffee? Tea? Whiskey?" he quipped.

I gasped. Did he say Whiskey? I tried to suppress the wide grin that was threatening to show. Then we both laughed. Pheew! I wouldn't have minded the offer, I mean, it would calm my nerves for starters. And look at the brighter side, it was a Friday afternoon, so we kinda were good to go.

The joke did calm me though, so I asked for warm water.

He didn't look like the joking type. With a serious demeanor and air around him that would intimidate anyone; a tall well built Caucasian male in his early forty's and the CEO of a multi billion business empire which he built from the ground up, by himself.

Single and never married, with a straight serious face, he was quite the type you'd want to get straight to the point with, no small talk. Mr. Hendricks, Hendricks Crawford, was a charmer, so I later learned.

We started off, though anxious but within no time I was slaying! Telling my audience how this new idea would revolutionize the the already robust mobile telephony. The beauty of it being, it would be a 'threat' to 'monopoly' and market dominance by some players. Again, I will not divulge this information, lest I end up licking my wounds and saying 'how I was the brains behind it' when some guys in sharp suits launch the idea in a black tie, cocktail event somewhere in a posh hotel.. so, NO, thank you.

I was deep into my presentation, slide after slide, statistic after another, occasionally handing over copies of my proposal to Mr. Hendricks; when she walked in. I stuttered. I couldn't continue. I swallowed hard to rid the slump that had formed in my throat. My eyes watering slightly.

"It's okay, proceed." Mr. Hendricks said.

I managed to maintain my cool but I was still coming to terms with what I had seen.

I reached out for the glass of water that my lady friend from the reception had delightfully served me. I could use that break.

I watched her as she limped out the office, closing the door behind her, managing a smile.

How was she that bubbly? Glowing and radiant?

Behind her desk, one wouldn't guess, not once would the thought cross your mind, that the smiling radiant girl was physically impaired.

Get me right here. My point here is her attitude.

I have seen people, actually even within our family, who, out of an accident or straight from birth, are physically challenged and unfortunately, this has turned them into an angry, sad or gloomy person. This has to do with a person's attitude, me thinks.

Most of these things are beyond us as human beings. We cannot fathom God's ways or why some of us are born with a certain physical challenge or generally the way each one of us is. But in His word, in Psalms 139:14 David says "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well."

We are indeed made in His image, and we are all beautiful, no matter what.

I digress. 

Fast forward. I'm still waiting on Mr. Hendrick's response. We have had several other meetings in his office, what a view he has, I must say! And, once in a while in his favorite coffee shop in the mall across his office. And so far, so good.

It is these frequent visits to Hendricks that got me a new friend, Nella. Nella is a sweet soul. She is one of the most bubbliest, happy, kind and lovely person I've met. She's humble, a great awesome person. Do they still make such nowadays? I mean, hardly do you get all this in one person. Who, contrary to "belief", isn't angry about herself, but instead is a 'light' to other people.

This got me! 

Just how many times have I been so angry at myself, or even other people because of, well... stuff that's really a non-issue. 

I mean, we all have bad days, really bad days. Those days that you dread and just wish they would fly by fast so you could sleep off the nagging, stressing and bad gross moods. Well, we are all allowed to sulk once in a while. And sulk we all do in our own ways.

But look at her. Unabated will power and graciousness, despite her challenges. 

I sat across listening to her story. I was awed. I stared, deep in concentration as she took me down memory lane. I was moved! She told me of how she was at her lowest point of her life. Life can be cruel; people can be cruel. She's lost friends and opportunities due to her physical challenge; but she still pushed on. 

Let me let you in on her story just a little. 11 years ago, Nella developed an irritation on her left foot. She thought it was just that, an infection. Months later and a wound formed. Visits to the hospital saw her get back home with different prescriptions for the 'bug'. It got worse. She couldn't walk properly due to the pain. This left her with her right foot, which was deformed since birth. She remembers crying every night asking God to take her life. It was too much to bear.

Fast forward 10 months later, and her leg had to be amputated and have the hospital give her prosthetic limbs.

Good things have come her way, though. Her job as Mr. Hendricks' P.A being one of these blessings she shared with me. 6 years of this blessing. Isn't God great?

I mean, should the world be full of kind, good and awesome people like Hendricks, who do not look at one's disabilities but their abilities? Yeah? God bless that man. What a pair they make. 

As I pen this down, our sunshine, Nella, is getting married this November! Yaay... right? I was happy for her! No, serious, very happy! And the guy, her hubby to be? No, it isn't Hendricks, though the two had serious chemistry, I noted. But hey, no office relationships! But the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Hendricks' relative, Colin, who was always visiting the office, was the guy. Perfect match!

It makes me happy every time I talk to Nella. I see the power of a smile. The power of love. The power of one's attitude. The power of believing in yourself despite the "norm" and "perception" that society tells us is the "reality". How she handled her situation, however worse it had got, it didn't hold her back. And prayer, the power of prayer. Ask Nella, she'll tell you for free. Faith does move mountains.

She starts a new life this November. A milestone. They keeping increasing. Not to mention her promotion this month. I'm learning a lot from her life. Her favorite quote has now replaced mine:

"“There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative.” - W. Clement Stone

I just remembered, Nella had promised a treat today after I had helped her with a few errands this past week! Spicy wings would do just great. I'm actually starving!

Ray's Diary

The rattling window must’ve woken him up.  He slowly opened his eyes to allow a little light, squinting from the glare caused by the reflection upon the water surface.

They were halfway across the bridge, River Changoi gently flowing under it. He lightly smiled as the breeze seeped in.  He must have slept for hours since they left Nandi. He checked his phone; there was no message. He frowned.

Ray rested his head on the window and stared outside. He remembered how he had tried to call out her name just after he had boarded the bus. She couldn’t hear.  He had tried to call her earlier, but her phone was off. It had looked like an answered prayer when he saw her at a distance with her friends.

They had just met once the entire holiday.  He liked her by the day. She had grown into a beautiful young woman. It was about 7 years since he last saw her. They had been communicating and they had both looked forward to meeting up.  Miley knew he liked her; she liked him too, and was shy about meeting him.

A sudden halt disrupted his train of thoughts. They were joining the Kericho – Nakuru highway. He took out his Nikon camera to snap away the beautiful terrain. Both sides of the road were accentuated by huge tracts of expanse land of tea plantation; it looked like a huge green carpet. The trees at the horizon acting like a fencing around it. The workers at the field like stains on a clean rugged carpet.  The blue sky completed the beautiful collage.

Ray always looked forward for the December holidays as that was the only long break he got from his busy schedule at work. This year, he had planned to visit the interior villages of Kericho County, his hometown. The area provided beautiful scenery for his photography work that was just 6 months young. He had spent 2 weeks into December building his portfolio for his new project in the New Year.

It was during his stay at Nandi, Miley’s rural home, that he had fixed the first meeting with her. He had asked to meet her at the hotel where he was staying. Ray woke up early that day and made breakfast; bacon, eggs, sausages, croissants and coffee. She would soon be there.

“I’m here…” the text message read in part. He threw the phone on the bed and dashed to the door, flung it open and made way outside.

There she was; gracefully waiting at the waiting bay. Her short flowery sun dress flowing to the rhythm of the wind; her long hair lying on her shoulder and back. On her hand, were her clutch bag and a cell phone. Miley was a beautiful and a perfectly-shaped lady, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall. Her perfectly formed round bottoms and huge hips enough to make heads turn. Her grey eyes would tear deep into one’s eyes making them to blush. A smile that would convince you everything was okay, even if it wasn’t. The diamond laced necklace falling perfectly on her cleavage, towering over her full ‘balloon' breasts like a tower on a hill.

Ray couldn’t find his tongue. His gaze fixed on her; he stretched out his hand to say hi. She extended hers to shake his hand. The handshake didn’t suffice. He pulled her in for a hug. He held her close, gently squeezed his grip around her. His face buried in her neck, taking in her lovely scent from her hair and neck. His eyes closed, taking it all in.

“This feels good,” mumbled Ray as he slowly let go.

“Hi. How’ve you been? 6 years now? Wow! You’ve changed dude; you look good.”

*Laughing* you also look super adorable Miley. Yeah, long time since last. Well, come on in.

The day was turning out great for the two. The breakfast session presented a good avenue for the two to open up, bond and generally get snug around each other. She would constantly laugh out loud and slap his arm. Ray felt good that she was having a great time. It all looked like a script off a Mexican soap opera.

It was around mid-morning when they set out. Ray had planned an excursion of sorts for Miley. He was going to take her along in his photography sessions. He had packed his bag pack with his camera and lenses, stands and other several accessories. In a different bag, he had stuffed snacks and wine for a picnic; Miley had no idea that the guy had this idea in mind.

Nandi provided the perfect terrain for photography as well as a picnic site. The evergreen landscape accentuated with rocky riverbeds and clean rivers that flowed all year round.

Ray was excited. He set up his tools of trade and started snapping away, occasionally showing Miley how to take good shots. The two were getting cozy with each other. They would run around in the green field, sit on the river bed with their legs immersed into the water; playfully splashing water on each other.

It as noon and the sun was getting hot.

“Let’s get to the shade, I have something for you,” Ray said.

“Sure! I was wondering when you’d say that. My skin is tanning already!” she said amidst her salient smile.

He got up, stretched out his hand and pulled her up from the river bed and carried her. She would scream and shout asking him to put her down. Ray would here none of this as he held her firmly and ran towards the shade. She loved it.

Miley looked at him, with a smile dancing on her lips, as he set the cloth and prepared the nibbles he had carried in the backpack. He looked back at her and winked. She giggled shyly.

They finished their snacks and were sipping slowly on the Moscato wine as they got along with their catching up. Ray had hoped that he would let her know about his feelings for her as they dined. He however had second thoughts on the issue. Was it too soon? How would she react to it? What if I fail and this was the only time I would get? He wondered.

“Tunasimama kidogo Nakuru. Tuko na dakika kama kumi na tano kisha tuendelee,” (We are stopping over for about 15 minutes in Nakuru then we’ll continue with the journey) shouted the driver; startling Ray off his day dreaming.

He sat up and looked at his watch. It was already two hours since they had left Kericho. He put his now wet camera back in his bag thanks to the sweat from his hands.

He looked at his phone. He had 3 missed calls, 2 text messages and a few conversations on WhatsApp. He hadn’t heard his phone ring or vibrate as it was on silent mode. He quickly checked through to see who had tried to reach him, hoping he would get a text or better yet a missed call from Miley.

“Hearing your voice right now would do me good Miley…come-on! I’m sure you have at least called” he thought out aloud as he checked through his phone. She hadn’t hollered. He was pissed.

He angrily grabbed his water bottle and alighted off the bus which had now parked at a filling station and restaurant for the stopover.

 

'Obamacare'

This recent past has had the air filled with words like 'Obama day', "Obama is coming back home'....yadda yadda yadda  uhhmm.. and am not about to add on that jibe. However, one term has caught my attention, and my title too, 'Obamacare'.

Just so you know, the actual term Obamacare, whose official name is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), or Affordable Care Act (ACA) for short, was signed into law to reform the health care industry by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. Its goal is to give more Americans access to affordable, quality health insurance and to reduce the growth in U.S. health care spending. Noble, right?

Well, here in Nairobi, we have our own meaning, where 'Obamacare' has been used to refer to the recent 'works' and beautification of the city y'all been seeing in the CBD. It got me laughing to myself at first. I mean, reaally?? We are making the city prettier and clean just because Obama is coming! I mean, by all means, yeesss! We should even paint all buildings anew! He is the most powerful president in the world, and he is finally visiting us! Heck, let's even have a sculpture carved out for him at JKIA! Uhmm well... guess not.

My disappointment here though is the last minute rush that is really a part of us. It is only fair that we have our city clean. We will be having quite influential and high ranking people in Kenya for the big event, the Global Entrepreneurs Summit 2015, which is the main reason why President Barrack Obama is actually coming here; home. But shouldn't these works have been started months ago? Like at the beginning of the year? And be tended to keep them neat and 'real' till now? Will the grass even have grown and greened by then? Siigh!

The County Governement of Nairobi is such a let down though. Does it take Obama to have our city looking crisp? Must we do the repairs just because we will be hosting international acts? Noo.. I do not want to believe so. Why? We are the ones who are always in town, going to and from work, dates and movies; pacing up and down Moi Avenue, getting in those stalls to fit a pair of shoe; grabbing a movie, checking out the new dresses and crop tops for the ladies...imbibe a few bottles as we wait for traffic to reduce... don't we deserve to use clean and well manicured pavements? Are we not worth them?

Don't we deserve well lit streets at night? Don't we all need to see the police up and about town just on that 'Utumishi Kwa Wote' vibe? 

Nairobi is a famous major city, I mean, it should live up to its name and expectation.

Kidero and his team have shown us it is very much possible to 'pimp' this tao and make it as cute as Meghan Markle and impressivley so, in the shortest time possible! Can you, Governor Dr. Kidero Sir, keep it like that even after our son has gone back to the people that voted him in? Actually,  methink it is part of your JD to keep this city in the sun shinning. So we should pretty much be sorted here. Not only will Nairobi regain its glory but also the guys working on these streets and pavements will have a job, well paying job I propose. I will however not be shocked to see these works abandoned as soon as the plane carrying Obama disappears into the clouds. We will just get used to the disappointment.

Speaking of, don't even get me started on these people that are all out here like "Why did Obama take long to come back?" Why is he not visiting Kogelo?" Why this, why that, why not? People, we realize that he will be visiting as a sitting President? Like the first ever sitting President of the U.S. so its not like he gets to just visit like he on vacation. Naah, this is an officila tour. I also didnt want that, but I realized that his itinerary, prepared by his office, put him on a tight schedule. But hey, who knows? That announcement by US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec, could be a decoy! You know, like saying he wont be visiting while in reality he will? So for security reasons they say he wont be? Get me? Daamn.. feeling like the Secret Service right about now! *wide grin*

Oh well, then again, only time will tell. If not, si we can be patient enough for that time he will visit as a regular citizen and not a president? Yess?? Cool.

In the meantime, welcome to Kenya President Obama!