Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

Be truly happy for the people around you. Celebrate their successes with them. As they rise in their careers, find love, cut their birthday cakes. Celebrate

Learn to be happy for yourself. There is always going to be someone richer than you, poorer than you, smarter than you, dumber than you, prettier than you, and so on and so forth. Though I’m not advocating for complacency, striving to be the absolute best at all costs, is kinda a waste of time and energy that can be spent doing something productive – like being genuinely happy.

Let’s face it. When you’re happy, being happy for others is a whole lot easier. So take a class you’ll enjoy, lead a healthy lifestyle, nurture positive relationships in your life, and surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself (and not because they’re so much worse off than you are hahaha ). Pretty soon, you won’t be uttering the words, “I’m so happy for you,” through gritted teeth.

Me without you!!

Me

I thank God for showing me who I really am. The past 3 years have been hardest ever but I the result is ::: Michelle is at her best ever. Physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally.
He’s shown me who I am without Him and who I am with Him.
It’s the God in me and ultimately I have a choice.
I choose HIM.
I choose LIFE.

Love Is Red

Feels like a Valentine’s post. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t but if you’re willing to find out why Love Is Red… enjoy the ride.

The street vendor tells me that love is those red roses that he’s got on sale. They’re more pricey than but hey there is a cost to love, isn’t there? Love is the red dress, red wine and maybe the red teddy bear.

I have learnt that if he loves you then he’ll shower you with these red gifts. The red picture is painted as a transaction of sorts and many have learnt to give their all so that the love may remain red.

Still,there is another type of love He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love… We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
I John 4:8 & 16 (WEB)

God is eternally one, of a single mind and purpose, unchanging. Therefore, if God is love, He is love forever, from before the creation of the world until after the end of time. He is love that never changes. He is not love today and hate tomorrow. He is not love in some situations and indifference in others. He is not love until I disobey him and then vengeance, love forgotten. His character is not dependent on my actions. All of his acts and all of his purpose are consistent with love.

The most well known verse is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” So one way God defines love is in the act of giving. However, what God gave (or should we say, “who” God gave) was not a mere gift-wrapped present; God sacrificed His only Son so that we, who put our faith in His Son, will not spend eternity separated from Him. This is an amazing love, because we are the ones who choose to reject God, yet it’s God who mends the separation through His intense personal sacrifice, and all we have to do is accept His gift.

When I think of the gift, I think of the cross. When I think of the cross, I think of the blood. When I think of the blood, I think of his love. The blood that was shed on the cross is red. So when you think of love, remember this Love Is Red.

Happy Belated Valentines Y’all.

Love is red

Desk Calendar…yawn!!

I have a calendar on my desk, I think they call it a desk calendar. I like the glossy photos and the fact that even though it is from a company that deals in dairy products, it doesn’t have pictures of udders and others.

I hardly ever refer to my calendar. I prefer to use the one in my head. Super technology,the guessing game. Like when I had to check what day my birthday falls this year, I tried to remember when my birthday was last year and figured that this year my birthday falls on the following day of the week. Then I remembered that it would only apply if this year was not a leap year. Back to my guessing. Sadly I couldn’t tell whether this was a leap year or not. So, I reached out for my desk calendar. How else can I introduce my eureka moment? Desk calendars are actually good for telling which year leaps…right?

I also like how the calendar flips (not the pages) but when you flip it high up in the air during tea-breaks. This makes for great exercise. It’s easy.All you need is a desk-top calendar and a cup of tea. Then you simply take the calendar, throw it up, sip your tea before the calendar comes down and yes, you must catch the calendar and do it till you finish your tea or knock over your cup.Try it some time. (Insert the cliché phrase: You’ll like it)

Oh and yesterday after lunch, I did use the calendar as a toothpick or dental floss of sorts. Isn’t it lovely how the pages slide through your teeth. It’s something that you can do while you are alone in the office but the trouble is I still don’t know how I will face the boss who came in and found me with a calendar in my mouth. I am expecting a memo, any time now.

Calendars! They are good for something.The best part is the ‘year at a glance’. All the dates and the months crammed on one page. I like that because I can count down to Christmas, all over again and predict my 2014 hues of January blues.

Oh and if you have a calendar, then you will always have a date!

#FreeDawer

Dawer rushed out of her room as fast as she could. Her phone, her handbag, her toothbrush were all the things she needed to take with her. The world as she knew it was evaporating and just in-case a new world showed up, she had to have clean teeth.
One last look in the mirror and she noticed she was wearing a jacket from two seasons ago. Quite sure that it wouldn’t do. She made a mad dash back into her room and picked up her designer jacket.Brand new, she hadn’t finished paying for it. Her credit card was already maxed out but who cared coz the point was she looked good. Once she touched up her make up she was ready to go.

The reason for all the craziness was a text that Dawer had just received from Tosh. He told her that all the chicken in the market place were singing and the vegetables were doing a crazy jig. The onions in particular seemed to have planned a flashmob. Dawer could hardly wait to see this with her own three eyes.Yes, three eyes. She had bought an extra one at the software store, just for emergencies.

Well, these were signs that their little village’s time was up. Dawer’s grandma had told her stories when she was little. These stories weren’t from a book, but from memory. Who would have thought that during Dawer’s lifetime she would see them come to pass?

What if the end of their village was real? Dawer started to cry and at the very same moment, she started to laugh. She tripped and fell into a brown heap. She was sure it was elephant poop. All brown and gooey.but it smelt like chocolate. She was tempted to lick it, which she did.

That was the best decision ever. Dawer found out that the poop was really chocolate fudge. She licked it, rolled in it, delighted in it because it was delicious.

Tosh called her once again, saying the tomatoes were now doing a rap song. Dawer didn’t care.She was in elephant poop heaven. Suddenly four elephants appeared and asked her why she was eating their cake.

Dawer said she was really sorry but she accidentally landed in it, tasted it and ate it. The elephants told her that as punishment, she would have to go with them to the Black Forest and they would release her when they saw fit.

After thinking about it, Dawer accepted to go with them. She called Tosh and told him that she was stuck in the traffic. The carts were bumper to bumper. Oh the stresses of village life.

Thoughts of chocolate fudge and the possibility of being a prisoner in the Black Forest put a smile on her face. The singing ‘kachumbari’ was pale in comparison.

She didn’t even realise that three hours had gone by and they hadn’t even reached the Black Forest. One of the elephants suggested that they check into a motel for the night. Happy Dawer was having the time of her life. She had been held hostage by elephants that pooped chocolate, they were checking into a really classy motel( authentic straw interior) and she had her toothbrush.

Dawer tried calling Tosh a little later but his phone was out of service. She had chocolate fudge and went to bed early. She needed her beauty sleep because her life as a Black Forest prisoner had just began.

Of Pink & Yellow Roses

They say I’m not such a girly girl, to which I must agree. I own about six dresses, which by my standards feels like one hundred dresses.

I’ve never been at peace with prints and colour. Peeping into my wardrobe, one could mistake me for a GOTH Princess, black, black and some more black clothes. However, I have slowly been embracing colour but not quite prints. (Clap for me)

kgcphoto.com

Somewhere along the way, I discovered that a part of me loves flowers. Looks like I’m a bit of a girly girl after all. Note to self; NOT GOOD. I’m not crazy about daisies, petunias, geraniums or lilies. My heart  sort of beats after roses. Remember the story about Snow White and Red Rose? No pressure, I don’t either. Maybe I just recalled Red Rose because of the name association.

I’m learning a lot about the supposedly humdrum roses whose majesty and versatility we commonly overlook. Roses are wonderful for the DIY craft lovers, makers of potpourri, I bet you already knew that. I was quite surprised to find out that these delicate flowers are edible (munch much) and have for centuries been used to treat various medical conditions. How about indulging in some soothing organic rose water, a face mask, some rose tea? I’ve even heard that you can make a delectible jam jam from roses. I must try that some time soon.

It’s not the red roses that get me; neither is it black roses but pink and yellow roses. There’s something about that combination that just warms my heart. Truth is that whenever I get the chance to buy a bouquet for anyone, it definitely has to be pink and yellow roses.

I’ve only once received flowers from anyone (Imagine they came from my nephew. Thank you man you’re far too kind) but they say what goes around comes around. How I long for my turn to receive pink and yellow roses? (Hint, hint)

Ok, now I’ve put myself out there as a girly girl, not too sure if that’s a good thing. (Drat!!)

I’m out, gone  to smell the pink and yellow roses

P.O.Box 28, Friend zone

Lately, there has been much talk about the friend zone. At least in my circles (which seem to be more oval than round) Anyway, where were we? in the friend zone.

This word has been around for a minute and roughly means the point at which ‘Chick’ sees ‘Dude’ as a friend and nothing more.

Well, what’s so wrong with the friend zone? Nothing, if you ask me. But then again you didn’t ask. From my little intel (nothing Synovate or Infotrack going on here) Guys hate the friend zone or they pretend to.

According to the Urban Dictionary- The Friend Zone: A state of being where a male inadvertently becomes a ‘platonic friend’ of an attractive female who he was trying to initiate a romantic relationship. Females have been rumoured to arrive in the Friend Zone, but reports are unsubstantiated.

Who is at fault for zoning, the friend zoner or the friend zonee?

Many have said friend zoning is like going to a job interview where they like your CV but say ‘Sorry we can’t hire you but can you please, please hang around?’

You see an interview is an interview is an interview. That’s to say, everything about it is deliberate. You apply, you show up and if you don’t like the terms you are free to scoot.

It pays to state your intentions upfront because anyone who thinks that they can persuade the other into a relationship via being a friend is not special, but deluded. Deluded because friendships don’t always end up in ‘those’ relationships and sometimes you end up losing a really good friendship coz you decided to de/unfriend zone it.

Wait a minute, stating intentions is ok for guys but my 3^rd world country hasn’t quite accepted it, neither has my 3^rd world mind.

That said; let’s not get it twisted coz chicks also get friend zoned.

You mean girls get Friend zoned?

(Insert laughter here)

Oh boy, it happens all the time. I for one have been friend zoned like 12,984 times and counting. However, the good news is, life is sometimes fair.

Sauce for the goose and the gander alike! Right now, I’d like to make a special shout out to all the guys who think that the society is unfair because they get friend zoned by girls, I have news for you: Girls get friend zoned, too. Really!!

For real?

The norm is, the guys make the moves and the girl can do nothing but chill out. The girl’s got to make sure she’s not sending the wrong martian signals. Say hello to ‘Chick’. She really likes this guy called ‘Dude’ and with her simple but ambiguous Facebook updates and Tweets about ‘Dude’ she is already risking her emotions.

‘Chick’ lives in anticipation of conversations with ‘Dude’ hopeful that someday he will reciprocate what she’s feeling. @Chick’ invests so much mafeelings for ‘Dude’ and even has a codename for him. (I’ll be here when you finish laughing). So one time, thirty seven years later ‘Dude’ kind of admits that should there be any girl in the small circle they roll in whom he would have a crush on, that would be ‘Chick’.

Hearts jumping with joy, waterfalls, such things, ‘Chick’ gets so excited, she starts wearing pink, cute things. So later ‘Chick’ tells dude about the codename etc .His response is the codename flatters him, and thanks ‘Chick’ for being honest. Then ‘Dude’ goes on to say: “’Chick’, you’re great but I can only be your friend.”

Her desire to call ‘Cube Movers’ and ask them for the rates of transporting her furniture and keepsakes from Earth to Mars is somewhat justified. Now ‘Chick’ doesn’t hate dude, she’s just extremely embarrassed and had she not been honest she probably would have saved their friendship.

Excuse: women are way more emotional and have more pain receptors than guys do so it must hurt for them more.

As the world turns, there are some people who will never get out of the friend zone, yes eternally zoned. http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/20-guys-who-will-never-get-out-of-the-friend-zone

I’m no relationship expert and I am not here to provide any solutions. After my semi inane rambling, in the words of Doris Day, I say ‘Que sera sera – What will be, will be’

VIVA LA FRIEND ZONE

I don’t get it Darling

Today’s been a hard day.

My timeline has been full of shock and sadness; condolence messages for a dear friend.

I learnt of his passing last night  through Facebook while heading out to the movies with my nephew Martin and my friend Claudia. All through the feature film, couldn’t concentrate.. I had nothing but questions and chills ran through my mind and body.

I didn’t cry..I balanced tears but I didn’t cry. It’s not that my heart isn’t saddened but it’s that I don’t get this death thing. Each time someone passes on I get more and more confused. I know that death is appointed for each one of us but that DOES NOT make it easier.

There is something about the outpouring of heartfelt messages in remembrance of my friend. They all point out how great person he was in stature, heart and gifting. Evidently, there are massive voids in all the lives that he touched.

God, I wish I knew what your formula is? We’re here today, gone tomorrow. We’re happy today and grieving tomorrow.

This has been a year of hard lessons dealing with death.

Is this what denial sounds like? Maybe? You think so?

My thoughts are all over the place.

I’ve just refreshed my timeline and my friend’s tributes are still flowing in. I don’t know whether to love or hate social media at this point.The world has sped up unimaginably over the past few decades and seems to be getting faster all the time. It’s both sad and comforting O_o Sad because our friend is no longer her, yet there is also a comfort in knowing he is being remembered and missed by his contemporaries.I guess it calls for lots of sensitivity around it.

Now my mind is stayed on

HEBREWS 9:27

Amplified Bible (AMP) 

²⁷ And just as it is appointed for [all] men once to die, and after that the [certain] judgment,

Am I ready?

Should I be ready?

Dance With The Angels Maranga Darling

Happy Obama Day Andrew Kenneth

Dear Andrew Kenneth,

You have no I idea who I am and that doesn’t matter one bit .Thanks to twitter I caught wind of you. I still haven’t watched you introduce your dad. I’m sure I’ll get round to it. I hope someone warned you that this could happen. That you could become a celebrity over night and consequently fake Facebook pages would pop up. Kenyans on Twitter were even following the wrong Andrew Kenneth, who later came forth to tell us that it was a case of mistaken identity.

Image : nation.co.ke

All you were doing was innocently endorsing your father yet the bulk of the focus shifted to you. But Andrew, you need to understand that’s what we do. We move on to the next one. The next juicy subject. Like what we woke up to this morning. The US Presidential Elections.

Frenzy..at least on social media. We have moved on and left you free to live your life. (Phew) Be that 19 year old, have fun and stand by your pops.(insert let us not forget)

Now on to our (my) new craze Obama. I’ve been updating my social network pages from the moment I got up. You should have seen me riding to work. Though my phone’s battery was almost out, I kept trying to squeeze another update out of it.

Some of them were

Mitt Romney  #Huwesmake You cannot outrun a Kenyan

If you really wanna catch my attention please be sure to insert ‘Obama’ in your sentence today. If not you’ll just sound like hjgvdsfajvcvtaiwugjfdvahjvfgfvahyjfgkjiQYIYQYCDSCFKJ

Mitt Romney… Happy Oh Bummer Day!!!!

As America went to sleep or chose to celebrate his victory ecstatically, I had to  get back to work. Still unsure of what an Obama victory means to the Middle East, China, Afghanistan and most of all to me. Al Qaeda, post election violence ?? Sounds blonde but when it comes to matters political, that is exactly who I am. I have no excuse in this day and age apart from the fact that I am just not interested. Voluntarily ignorant you may say. My curiosity was been virtually non existent until the man who has ancestral roots in  Kogello, Kenya won the race for the biggest office in the world.(Lets not forget that his wife shares my first name)

After his victory speech I couldn’t help but go ‘wow!!! You’ve done your job Barry!!’ But that same speech got me thinking. I had 2 options, move to the States and enjoy my Obamacare or get my head screwed on straight in matters concerning  my country’s future.

I can’t wear my ‘I’m not interested’ coat and be unsure of who gets my vote come 2013. Oh no!! The P-word. Politics. It’s not a subject I can drop like I dropped Geography and Biology in high school. I don’t like it but I need to get over that and myself. I’ll start by paying closer attention to Mr Kenneth. (Senior not Junior) and paying closer attention to this country.

I’ve complained about the leadership before and… (nothing). My point exactly. It’s been nothing but complaints and no real action. Well, there isn’t a better moment to inspire myself than right now.

Now’s the time to wake up, get involved and get familiar.

Jamu By Day And Night

First, a special thank you Miss Katho for giving me this topic.

Ok where to start, I moved into Jamu a couple of months ago. It is my first time to live on my own and I must admit, I really like it. I chose Jamu coz it was affordable, convenient, dusty ( wait a minute that wasn’t a plus). Seems that my choice wasn’t an isolated one coz I have a number of friends living in the J-Zone. Yeah, I’m trying to make it sound cool.

My 2 newly married couple friends( for those who failed math 2 couples = 4 people), who are truly family to me have made my stay in the J-Zone so worthwhile. Together with the ‘new wives’,we’ve discovered salons, learned to avoid the ones with drama, we’ve befriended the con-butchers, yes..they flip their scales when people are not watching. We know the special Anjera spots, where to buy cheaper fries, pre cooked beans. Stop looking at us like that, yes we eat beans. We can tell you which grocer has better ‘mbogas’ and which one wont like it if you ask her to peel the potatoes before you buy them.

I’ve also bumped into lots of people I forgot lived in the J-Zone. There’s the camera guy, the rapper guy, the voice-over guy, the sound guy, my childhood friends, the long lost relative and the list could go on. Truth be told, the J-Zone’s pretty much an okay place to live.

My bachelorette pad is perfect for me. I like the finishing and the fact that I only have 2 neighbours (technically).The J-Zone suits me fine by day because I’m just 5 minutes away from the morning bus. This allows me the luxury of leaving home at 8 am and getting to work by 8:28am. On some evenings, I walk home. (Some means about 4 times in the past months) Most evenings, I take public transport and I’m home in less than 20 mins. The days that I chose to see the J-Zone by night are usually over the weekend. Trust me, there isn’t much to see. I’m glad that the place I live is pretty safe at anytime of the night. Which  reminds me that when I had just moved, there was regularly some drama that involved gunshots. It was fast becoming the regular thing to receive the ‘Are you safe’ texts from family and friends. The sound effects have pretty much died down or maybe I have become an even heavier sleeper. We’ll find out.

There have been stories doing rounds about another type of gunfire in the J-Zone. Gunfire that was attributed to boundaries crossed, personalities clashed, things said and done. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. I got caught up in one of those episodes and I did not hesitate to make every single detail of it known.The part I don’t get is,it didn’t even happen in the hood but… (almost past that). This past week, there was another episode but with a very different cast yet with the same main star. These two incidents seem to have drawn more attention than necessary to the J-Zone. It struck me recently that; should it have happened in the A-Zone or in the Y-Zone, then those would be the areas in discussion. Mountains out of molehills, is the new industry we’re in. That said and done, it is a free country and consequently a free hood. Come and go as you please. I have no title deed in this place. I pay rent. Nevertheless, I do love the J-Zone. I’m not suggesting we start a ‘chama’ or we all start hugging the shopkeeper, the psycho hairdresser and the butcher but how about some love and respect for and in the J-Zone. Handle your business, I handle mine and when we all meet each other in the bus, smile and wave. You go your way, I go mine.

Happy Obama Day!!!