In Loving Memory... Great Tribute BO!

To Graça Machel and the Mandela family; to President Zuma and members of the government; to heads of state and government, past and present; distinguished guests - it is a singular honour to be with you today, to celebrate a life unlike any other. To the people of South Africa – people of every race and walk of life – the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us. His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy.

It is hard to eulogize any man – to capture in words not just the facts and the dates that make a life, but the essential truth of a person – their private joys and sorrows; the quiet moments and unique qualities that illuminate someone's soul. How much harder to do so for a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice, and in the process moved billions around the world.

Born during world war one, far from the corridors of power, a boy raised herding cattle and tutored by elders of his Thembu tribe – Madiba would emerge as the last great liberator of the 20th century. Like Gandhi, he would lead a resistance movement – a movement that at its start held little prospect of success. Like King, he would give potent voice to the claims of the oppressed, and the moral necessity of racial justice. He would endure a brutal imprisonment that began in the time of Kennedy and Khrushchev, and reached the final days of the Cold War.

Emerging from prison, without force of arms, he would – like Lincoln – hold his country together when it threatened to break apart. Like America's founding fathers, he would erect a constitutional order to preserve freedom for future generations – a commitment to democracy and rule of law ratified not only by his election, but by his willingness to step down from power.

Given the sweep of his life, and the adoration that he so rightly earned, it is tempting then to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men. But Madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait. Instead, he insisted on sharing with us his doubts and fears; his miscalculations along with his victories. "I'm not a saint," he said, "unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying."

It was precisely because he could admit to imperfection – because he could be so full of good humour, even mischief, despite the heavy burdens he carried – that we loved him so. He was not a bust made of marble; he was a man of flesh and blood – a son and husband, a father and a friend. That is why we learned so much from him; that is why we can learn from him still. For nothing he achieved was inevitable. In the arc of his life, we see a man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness; persistence and faith. He tells us what's possible not just in the pages of dusty history books, but in our own lives as well.

Mandela showed us the power of action; of taking risks on behalf of our ideals. Perhaps Madiba was right that he inherited, "a proud rebelliousness, a stubborn sense of fairness" from his father. Certainly he shared with millions of black and coloured South Africans the anger born of, "a thousand slights, a thousand indignities, a thousand unremembered moments … a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people".

But like other early giants of the ANC – the Sisulus and Tambos – Madiba disciplined his anger; and channelled his desire to fight into organisation, and platforms, and strategies for action, so men and women could stand-up for their dignity. Moreover, he accepted the consequences of his actions, knowing that standing up to powerful interests and injustice carries a price.

I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination," he said at his 1964 trial. "I've cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

Mandela taught us the power of action, but also ideas; the importance of reason and arguments; the need to study not only those you agree with, but those who you don't. He understood that ideas cannot be contained by prison walls, or extinguished by a sniper's bullet. He turned his trial into an indictment of apartheid because of his eloquence and passion, but also his training as an advocate.

He used decades in prison to sharpen his arguments, but also to spread his thirst for knowledge to others in the movement. And he learned the language and customs of his oppressor so that one day he might better convey to them how their own freedom depended upon his.

Mandela demonstrated that action and ideas are not enough; no matter how right, they must be chiselled into laws and institutions. He was practical, testing his beliefs against the hard surface of circumstance and history. On core principles he was unyielding, which is why he could rebuff offers of conditional release, reminding the Apartheid regime that, "prisoners cannot enter into contracts".

But as he showed in painstaking negotiations to transfer power and draft new laws, he was not afraid to compromise for the sake of a larger goal. And because he was not only a leader of a movement, but a skilful politician, the Constitution that emerged was worthy of this multiracial democracy; true to his vision of laws that protect minority as well as majority rights, and the precious freedoms of every South African.

Finally, Mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit. There is a word in South Africa – Ubuntu – that describes his greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that can be invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us.

We can never know how much of this was innate in him, or how much of was shaped and burnished in a dark, solitary cell. But we remember the gestures, large and small - introducing his jailors as honoured guests at his inauguration; taking the pitch in a Springbok uniform; turning his family's heartbreak into a call to confront HIV/AIDS – that revealed the depth of his empathy and understanding. He not only embodied Ubuntu; he taught millions to find that truth within themselves.

It took a man like Madiba to free not just the prisoner, but the jailor as well; to show that you must trust others so that they may trust you; to teach that reconciliation is not a matter of ignoring a cruel past, but a means of confronting it with inclusion, generosity and truth. He changed laws, but also hearts.

For the people of South Africa, for those he inspired around the globe – Madiba's passing is rightly a time of mourning, and a time to celebrate his heroic life. But I believe it should also prompt in each of us a time for self-reflection. With honesty, regardless of our station or circumstance, we must ask: how well have I applied his lessons in my own life?

It is a question I ask myself – as a man and as a president. We know that like South Africa, the United States had to overcome centuries of racial subjugation. As was true here, it took the sacrifice of countless people - known and unknown - to see the dawn of a new day. Michelle and I are the beneficiaries of that struggle. But in America and South Africa, and countries around the globe, we cannot allow our progress to cloud the fact that our work is not done.

The struggles that follow the victory of formal equality and universal franchise may not be as filled with drama and moral clarity as those that came before, but they are no less important. For around the world today, we still see children suffering from hunger, and disease; run-down schools, and few prospects for the future. Around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs; and are still persecuted for what they look like, or how they worship, or who they love.

We, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace. There are too many of us who happily embrace Madiba's legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality. There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba's struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people. And there are too many of us who stand on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard.

The questions we face today – how to promote equality and justice; to uphold freedom and human rights; to end conflict and sectarian war – do not have easy answers. But there were no easy answers in front of that child in Qunu. Nelson Mandela reminds us that it always seems impossible until it is done. South Africa shows us that is true. South Africa shows us we can change. We can choose to live in a world defined not by our differences, but by our common hopes. We can choose a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity.

We will never see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. But let me say to the young people of Africa, and young people around the world - you can make his life's work your own. Over thirty years ago, while still a student, I learned of Mandela and the struggles in this land. It stirred something in me. It woke me up to my responsibilities - to others, and to myself - and set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today.

And while I will always fall short of Madiba's example, he makes me want to be better. He speaks to what is best inside us. After this great liberator is laid to rest; when we have returned to our cities and villages, and rejoined our daily routines, let us search then for his strength - for his largeness of spirit - somewhere inside ourselves.

And when the night grows dark, when injustice weighs heavy on our hearts, or our best laid plans seem beyond our reach - think of Madiba, and the words that brought him comfort within the four walls of a cell:
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

What a great soul it was. We will miss him deeply. May God bless the memory of Nelson Mandela. May God bless the people of South Africa. - U.S. President Barack Obama's powerful tribute to Nelson Mandela final bow.

Damned if I am!... Damned if I'm not!

It all started out so innocently... The look, presentation, the smell... ooh my! The allure was so irresistible. I knew it at that very moment right there, that this was all wrong. But then again, we are allowed to have little pleasures in life, it keeps the heart young! ;-))) #naughtylaughter

Just like any other lady, I first had doubts about the whole affair. But daaaaamn! Naa aah! My sixth sense and basic instinct are now clashing. Deep inside I knew whose going to be the victor, and may the best conscience win!

I will squarely deal and take full responsibility of it coz choices have consequences. I threw in the towel and went head on with it! ...and my oh my, it was just as I thought it would be, if not more! Now, that's the bad thing about it.

Once through, all I want at that moment is sleep! Zzzzz.... Had I tamed it early enough like back when I earlier blogged about, I wouldn't be in this dilemma right now. I could do something about it, but it is proving to be difficult!

I'm now even doing comfort dressing where I put on Darling's African shirts. They are baggy enough and I just accessorize them a little to have a feminine look. My love for free dresses too is on the increase as my tops no longer fit me!

Darling too has noticed and commented on the same. I'm now adding pounds at an alarming rate! ...especially the mid area! Chubby chicks and all. LOL! My love for food, the look, smell, allure... aah, so inviting and work consumes my day that I lack time to exercise.

The girls have commented on the same. They urge me to exercise more, Darling too says I should sacrifice some time, just like before and fully commit myself to healthy eating and regular if not daily morning workouts!

But where it has reached now, I'm even having hallucinations that I could be pregnant! It starts out innocently and before you know, yo fully sucked in! I'm now feeling movements in my tummy, my whole body's just acting up and the worst is I cant verify that coz I'm on the FP injection!

The last time I saw my menses was... I can't even remember! Gosh! The consoling bit is that I don't have morning sickness as is characteristic of the first trimester in pregnancy. All I can say right now is, either way, damned if I am!... Damned if I'm not!!!

What a coincidence!

As I slowly wean off sleep to finally drag myself out of bed, mummy (now here's where we have issues! They are all mummy, so I have to be specific!) i.e M'ma is right there on my face as I lay on the bed coz I'm battling to get out of it.

She is all tears, blocked nose and half dressed. Basic instinct and a quick universal mothers' thermometer i.e the back of the palm ;-) reveals an onset fever, coz we normally wake up with warm bodies but hers was extra warm.

"Muuuum..." "Yes mummy" "I'm not feeling very well..." "Just looking at you tells me so... Sorry mum!"

"How are feeling?" "Not very good. I have a headache and my nose is blocked and I'm hot." Don't you just love it when the young ones are able to tell you what it is they are feeling when they are unwell instead of second guessing and building up anxiety?

"I'm not well mummy, I don't think I can go to school... I'm I going to go to school?"

Now if the symptoms of 'unwell' weren't that visible on her, I'd say she's pulling a fast one on me just so she can skip school, coz they know how strict I am with such cases. I'm fully awake now and hold her close to assess her blocked nose and hot head.

"No mummy, you definitely won't go to school today. You will bath then rest then we go to hospital, sawa mum? Pole..." At this point she brightens up a little on hearing that. What a coincidence! I don't even want to think that had I refused and forced her to go to school after brushing it off as just a common cold/flu, given her the drugs from my 'home chemist' then get worse while there, I would then get called to go to school... God forbid!!! Knock on wood!!!

All this is after a quick mental note that the evening before, she was the one who announced that she has never seen me cry. Call me superstitious but this revelation scared me. The night before, yo very fine and engaging in small talk then the following morning you are unwell. To make it worse, you don't have to be told, you see it for yoself! What a coincidence!

After the normal morning routine of prepping the girls and finally drop them off to school, I get back home to find M'ma has finished having her breakfast. I then give her some paracetamol for her fever and headache, then put her in bed to rest.

I later come for her at mid-morning to go to the hospital, where she got to see the doctor and have her medication. By the time we leave the hospital, it was time to pick up her other sisters from school! I tell you, our hospitals are a WHOLE day affair!!! Now that's a story for another day...

Tears...

"Muuum"... "Yes baby..." I respond to the baby of the house.

"How come I've never seen you cry...?" Left eyebrow rises immediately.

"M'ma yo lying!" snapped my mum almost yelling at her! "You've ever seen mummy cry. Mummy cries all the time!"

Now you have my FULL attention! Huh?! Excuse you! Now my brow is further raised, tilted head, puzzled look, all directed to my mum! Ehe... giving her the 'now that you know better, kindly enlighten us!' look.

"Yeah, mummy cries a lot!" concures her elder sister. Now both my brows are raised as I shift glances at all of them! Giving them all the 'Heh! Oookey...' kinda look!

"Whenever there's a happy movie/moment and its all mushy lovie dovie... she always cries! Whenever there is a sad moment too, her tears roll faster!" ..."Yeah..., waaah, mummy si you have many tears!"

At this point I laugh so hard and loud! Whaaat???!!! I can't believe we are having this discussion.

In true sense, they are kinda right. I never suppress my emotions. I cry it out. I release whatever empathy feeling I experience at that moment.

Be it tears of joy, gratitude, disbelief, sorrow, grief, the list is endless! I release it. I cry it out. That's me, and I am glad my family knows that.

There are many a times Darling has told me to please try not to be emotional or cry too much!. ;-))) I know... What can I say, ...I'm only human.

He knows me well enough to warn me to guard myself, guard my emotions, guard my well being. Jazakah Allah to all of them!

The girls continue to talk animatedly about my tears as I sit back and nod at each knowingly at what each is contributing to the topic.

All this was brought about by some small talk over dinner and it was rather too quiet, when M'ma decided to break the silence. :-)))

#WeAreOne! Code 254

One can lose their precious life within seconds! In a blink of an eye! Quite unbelievable! Very tragic!

This is what happened in the ongoing terrorist attack on Westgate Mall in Westlands since mid-morning of the 21st of September 2013. As the story unfolds on what transpired, it all seems like a narrative from an action rated movie scene.

Reading it all on the local dailies, following it on the social media whilst gluing your eyes on the television, shuttling from one channel to another, is indeed a lot to comprehend. From the photos, videos and testimonies, the mental anguish of the whole situation is unbearable! It is with a heavy heart that I convey my sincere deepest sympathies and condolences to the affected families. It is not easy, not easy at all to deal with the trauma, hurt and loss!

With all that happening, I was humbled at the phone calls I received, the text messages on phone, facebook and whatapp all in an effort to know in a wishful silent prayer on whether or not my family and I were okey. The most shocking of these inquiries, it is the people I least expected who thought and called me first to ascertain my where-abouts and safety.

That was quite humbling I must say... God Bless You All! Jazakah Allah!

The spirit of solidarity and oneness that my fellow Kenyans are demonstrating is equally humbling too. Everyone is looking for a way to help. To help your neighbour in any way possible, free catering services to the armed defense forces, journalists among other persons, volunteer counseling, blood donation, m-pesa donations, you name it, the list is endless! WOW!!!

As all is being said and done, I am proud of my fellow countrymen. God bless Kenya! God bless our Kenyan Army and Defense Forces! ...not forgetting their Commander-in-Chief!

A parting shot... Today will never come again. Be a blessing. Be a friend. Encourage someone. Take time to care. Let your words heal not wound. #WeAreOne!

Be Kind... Always

Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you absolutely know nothing about. Be kind ...always!

Being human, you never know what reaction to expect from the other person, but you can always disarm that by a smile! :-)

Roots...

I have this tree analogy when I think of people in my life, be it friends, family, acquaintances, employees, co-workers, whomever... They are all placed inside what I call my tree test. It goes like this:

Leaf People...
Some people come into your life and they are like leaves on a tree. They are only there for a season. You can't depend on them or count on them because they are weak and only there to give you shade. Like leaves, they are there to take what they need and as soon as it gets cold or a wind blows in your life they are gone. You can't be angry at them, it's just who they are.

Branch People
There are some people who come into your life and they are like branches on a tree. They are stronger than leaves, but you have to be careful with them. They will stick around through most seasons, but if you go through a storm or two in your life it's possible that you could lose them. Most times they break away when it's tough. Although they are stronger than leaves, you have to test them out before you run out there and put all your weight on them. In most cases they can't handle too much weight. But again, you can't be mad with them, it's just who they are.

Root People
If you can find some people in your life who are like the roots of a tree then you have found something special. Like the roots of a tree, they are hard to find because they are not trying to be seen. Their only job is to hold you up and help you live a strong and healthy life. If you thrive, they are happy. They stay low key and don't let the world know that they are there. And if you go through an awful storm they will hold you up. Their job is to hold you up, come what may, and to nourish you, feed you and water you.

Just as a tree has many limbs and many leaves, there are few roots. Look at your own life. How many leaves, branches and roots do you have? What are you in other people's lives? When you are seeking friendship or guidance - be aware of your lifetime, your life will it be filled with the leaf, branch and root people. To grow and become the people we need to become, we need the seasons, we need the leaves, we need the branches... don't just brush them away - grow to understand what and why they're there in your life.

Seek to grow and learn from them. To all my roots new and old... Thank You! For your support and for being a part my seasons, leaves, branches and especially my roots. Thank you for making me the person I am today.

Life is an echo. What you send out, comes back. What you sow, you reap.

What you give, you get. What you see in others, exists in you. "May every soul that touches mine, be it by slightest contact, get therefore some good, some little grace, one kindly thought, to make this life worthwhile"

- By Tyler Perry

...and I too say, "May every soul that touches mine, be it by slightest contact, get therefore some good, some little grace, one kindly thought, to make this life worthwhile!"

25 Ultimate Tips to a Better Life!

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. & while you walk, SMILE.
It is the ultimate antidepressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. When you wake up in the morning, Pray to ask God's guidance for your purpose, today.

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food
that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, broccoli,
and almonds.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a
college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Forgive them for
everything !

11. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Help the needy,Be generous ! Be a 'Giver' not a 'Taker'

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. Time heals everything.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed ,Pray to God and Be thankful
for what you'll accomplish, today !

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. Share this to everyone on your list to help them lead a happier
life...

~ Facts that will blow your mind

The moment We Begin to seek love...

“When you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes. Disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way.”
― Paulo Coelho, Brida


“Passion makes a person stop eating, sleeping, working, feeling at peace. A lot of people are frightened because, when it appears, it demolishes all the old things it finds in its path.

No one wants their life thrown into chaos. That is why a lot of people keep that threat under control, and are somehow capable of sustaining a house or a structure that is already rotten. They are the engineers of the superseded.

Other people think exactly the opposite: they surrender themselves without a second thought, hoping to find in passion the solutions to all their problems. They make the other person responsible for their happiness and blame them for their possible unhappiness. They are either euphoric because something marvelous has happened or depressed because something unexpected has just ruined everything.

Keeping passion at bay or surrendering blindly to it - which of these two attitudes is the least destructive?

I don't know.”
― Paulo Coelho, Eleven Minutes


“But love is always new. Regardless of whether we love once, twice, or a dozen times in our life, we always face a brand-new situation. Love can consign us to hell or to paradise, but it always takes us somewhere. We simply have to accept it, because it is what nourishes our existence. If we reject it, we die of hunger, because we lack the courage to stretch out a hand and pluck the fruit from the branches of the tree of life. We have to take love where we find it, even if that means hours, days, weeks of disappointment and sadness.

The moment we begin to seek love, love begins to seek us. And to save us.”
― Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

Powerful Tips for the Last 10 Nights

1. Do not let your 'performance' until now affect your last 10 days. The moment of forgiveness could be today or anytime in the coming days! It is not all lost! If you sincerely wish it could have been better - Chin up and get ready to make it your best yet! Start with a positive, sincere intention!

2. Today, take a little time to read the Tafseer of Surah al-Qadr to understand what actually happens this night! You will feel its power & greatness so much more!

3. Do not wait for the 27th Night to give it your "all". The entire last 10 days should be your target. Stay up each night! Would you want to miss Laylatul Qadr even "by chance"?

4. Do not fall into any innovations/celebrations any masjid or culture might try to promote. Follow the Sunnah! The Prophet (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam) guided us simply: "Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

5. Memorize and keep asking the dua' taught by Rasulullah (sallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam): Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).

6. Prepare a short dua' list. Remember this is as awesome as it ever gets for a servant of Allah! The Night of Qadr, of Destiny! Consciously pick each and everything you crucially wish for in this dunya, in your deen, family, and in your aakhirah! Don't forget to include the brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering and in grief!

7. Take brief naps during the day, if possible. Keep your stomach light and sleep as soon as you have prayed 'isha. Do not delay! After a brief nap, refresh yourself and get ready for worship.

8. Don't neglect your family! Rasulullah made it a point to wake up his wives throughout these nights! And yes, your children are not too young to stay up some part of the night - if they can be allowed to play video games or watch TV, they can be inspired to be up atleast for sometime! Prepare them, make them excited, plan some activities for them to do!

9. Look the Part: The way we dress and prepare has a big effect on our psychology. Wear your best, perfume yourself, and feel the energy!

10. Choose a spot, whether in the Masjid or in your home, where you can have peace and solitude. Keep your mushaf, praying mat, and water at hand so that you are not distracted by constantly getting up for this or that.

11. IMP: This is not the night to tweet pics or update FB statuses about how amazing the night is and how you are feeling & worshipping Allah! Let that be a secret between you & your Rabb! So switch off those phones, wifi, laptops and computers. Disconnect with the world, and connect with al-'Afuww!

12. If you find yourself feeling sleepy, vary your acts of worship. Alternate between qiyaam, heartfelt dua'a, reading the Qur'an. Do not spend the night listening to lectures or recitations. Or do it only for a short while when you feel the sleep coming on!

13. Patience is the Key: The last 10 days might be tiring. You might still have work or school. This is the time to bear all that hardship, and keep firm sabr. Think how Allah has blessed you with this tremendous opportunity that might NEVER come again in your life again. If you knew for sure that this was your last ‪#Ramadan‬, if you knew certainly that Jannah was up for grabs, wouldn't you sprint for it no matter what it takes?

14. This is most important: Keep husn adh-dhann bi Allah (good expectations from Allah). When you ask, remember you are asking the Most Generous King. If you hope for the best, He will give you the best. Don't hold back. Trust in Him, pour out your heart in front of Him, and let no doubt, no barrier, no evil thoughts keep you away from ar-Rahman, ar-Raheem!

Can you relate?

Being a movie person, getting the moral of the story is the most exciting for me. Not only am I able to enjoy the movie, I get to relate and get entertained all at the same time! There are scenes that when something is said it makes you go like, yeah...! The following Movie Quotes are so simple yet we can all relate to it;
                           
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
- Ferris, from Ferris Bueller's Day Off

I'm dishonest, and a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest... Honestly, it's the honest ones you want to watch out for, because you can never predict when they're going to do something incredibly...stupid.
- Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)

The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds. And that's what you've given me. That's what I'd hoped to give you forever.
- Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

Do you know that place between being asleep and awake, where you still remember your dreams? Thats where I'll always love, that's where I'll always wait for you.
- Tinkerbell (Hook)

Poets often describe love as an emotion that we can't control, one that overwhelms logic and common sense. That's what it's like for me. I didn't plan on falling in love with you, and I doubt that you planned on falling in love with me. But once we met, it was clear that neither of us could control what was happening to us. We fell in love, despite our differences, and once we did, something rare and beautiful was created. For me love like that has happened only once, and that's why every minute we spent together has been seared in my memory. I'll never forget a single moment of it.
- The Notebook, Nicholas Sparks

Jamie: You don't know the first thing about being someone's friend.
Landon: I don't want to just be your friend.
Jamie: You don't know what you want.
Landon: Neither do you. Maybe you're just too scared that someone might actually want to be with you.
Jamie: And why would that scare me?
Landon: Because then you wouldn't be able to hide behind your books, or your frickin' telescope, or your faith. No, no, you know the real reason why you're scared? It's cause maybe you wanna be with me too.
- A Walk to Remember

Sometimes it's easier to be mad at the people you trust because you know that they'll always love you no matter what you say.
- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

When life makes you have to put up with mean and hateful people, think of them as sandpaper. They may scratch you, rub you the wrong way, but eventually you end up smooth and polished...and the sandpaper...its just gonna be worn out and ugly
- The Fighting Temptations Movie

Remember when you were in kindergarten, and you meet a kid, and knew nothing about them, but ten seconds later you were playing like you were best friends; because you didn't have to be anything but yourself?

The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.
- The History Boys: The Film

The Number 40

The number 40 is repeated in Islam a lot of times. Only Allah knows the answer, but out of the information gathered, the following data was compiled on the number 40.

1. The Prophet (PBUH) revealed his Prophethood at the age of 40 year as instructed by Allah (SWT).
2. Musa (Alahi Salam) traveled for 40 years in the desert.
3. Musa spent 40 days on Mount Sinai where he received the 10 commandments.
4. Prophet Ibrahim spent 40 days in a fire and lived because Allah made the fire like flowers.
5. Prophet Yunus was in a whale's mouth for 40 days.
6. On the 40th Ayat of Surah Baqrah Allah changes the topic.
7. Forty was the number of days that Prophet Ilyas spent in the wilderness before God appeared to him in a cave on Mount Horeb.
8. Forty was the number of days that Prophet Isa was tempted in the desert by Satan.
9. Muhammad (PBUH) was praying and fasting in the cave for 40 days.
10. Muhammad (PBUH) then had 40 followers to spread the religion of Islam.
11. Prophets Dauud and Suleiman each ruled for forty years.
12. Regarding the flood that Noah encountered, it is said that for forty days water continued to pour from the heavens and to stream out over the earth.
13. Prophet Isa walked the desert and fasted in the wilderness for forty days.
14. There is also a hadith from Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) that the prayers of a person who gossips would not be accepted for forty days and nights. ( Al-Kafi, Vol. 6, p. 400)
15. Imam Ali has narrated from Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) that one who memorizes and preserves forty hadith relating to their religious needs shall be raised by Allah (SWT) as a learned scholar on the Day of Resurrection.
16. It is said that a person’s intellect attains maturity in forty years, everyone according to his own capacity.
17. It is believed that one who assists a blind man for forty steps becomes worthy of entering heaven.
18. Imam Baghir has said: “The prayers of someone who drinks wine are not accepted for forty days.”
19. Believers have also been encouraged to devote themselves to God Almighty for forty days to see the springs of wisdom break forth from their hearts and flow from their tongues.

 Anyone out there to add on to the above? Feel free and let us educate each other.

Just be you!

Today's post is dedicated to my big baby Nratili. She is in such a high, you should see her. All excited and proud of herself. She couldn't wait for us (family) to hear their schools' music class own composition on teenage peer pressure. Each of the music student had to write their own lyrics as part of their music composition. I am soo proud of her! 

Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce Nratili...

Fame. Power. Glamour. These are words found in every high-schooler’s  vocabulary. Yes... it does hit every teenager at least at a particular phase in their lifetime. They try too hard to fit in the society that they forget their roots and go to an extent of disowning their ‘real self’. 

Basically, the essence of this issue is to let people know that you should accept who you are. You cant please everyone and if you do... they’ll never get satisfied. You’ll never live your life to the fullest. So... JUST BE YOU. 

LYRICS TO MY RAP (Just Be You!)

Sitted at the corner

Reminiscing about the days

When....

Had a couple of friends

Went for a couple of drinks

Lounged in their condo

And pulled some few strings

But all that is crushed into ashes

Deuces

Still thinking shucks why you

Clueless

Now love turned into hate

Trust to hurt

Living a life of pain and lifeless facade.   

Check this link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHzwr2ShkI8&feature=youtu.be

Lost in thought...

I wasn’t in a hurry to reach my destination. I needed a breath of fresh air albeit the chilly weather one June afternoon. I was walking slowly scanning the pedestrians’ faces and everyone seemed to be lost in thought.

There is one who caught my interest. He was talking animatedly to himself and a quick scan revealed that he didn’t have any Bluetooth on his ear nor did he have any headphones to indicate that he was on phone..., but hands free.

Another quick look of him revealed a smartly dressed young guy who I would place to be roughly 30-35 years of age, decent looking and well groomed. So, the question is, what drives a young guy like that to talk to himself?

Could it be that he’s from a client who wasn’t happy his presentation, proposal or another regret feedback from a job prospect? The excuses are countless. And before long, I spot another one, and another one and another one...

Wait a minute, what is not happening here. Waah! they were endless. Are we so preoccupied with our subconscious self that we let it control our self awareness? The older we get, the more responsibilities we acquire and without proper social network, the toll will definitely take its course on us.

 Always remember, a problem shared is a problem half-solved!

Friendship

Friendship is a collection of hearts ready to care, share and understand.
A friend is someone who sees your first tear, catches the second,
stops the third and turns the fourth into a smile.

Friends are like street lights, they dont make the distance any shorter
But they light up your path and make the walk worthwhile.

ForbesTop 100 Inspirational Quotes

1. Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. –Napoleon Hill
2. Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. –Steve Jobs
3. Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. –Albert Einstein
4. Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.  –Robert Frost
5. If you can dream it, you can do it. –Walt Disney
6. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. –Wayne Gretzky
7. I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. –Michael Jordan
8. Every strike brings me closer to the next home run. –Babe Ruth
9. Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement. –W. Clement Stone
10. Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. –John Lennon
11. We become what we think about. –Earl Nightingale
12. Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore, Dream, Discover. –Mark Twain
13. Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. –John Maxwell
14. If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten. –Tony Robbins
15. The mind is everything. What you think you become.  –Buddha
16. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. –Chinese Proverb
17. An unexamined life is not worth living. –Socrates
18. Eighty percent of success is showing up. –Woody Allen
19. Don’t wait. The time will never be just right. –Napoleon Hill
20. Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is. –Vince Lombardi
21. I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. –Stephen Covey
22. Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. –Pablo Picasso
23. You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. –Christopher Columbus
24. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. –Maya Angelou
25. Either you run the day, or the day runs you. –Jim Rohn
26. Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. –Henry Ford
27. The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. –Mark Twain
28. Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
29. The best revenge is massive success. –Frank Sinatra
30. People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing.  That’s why we recommend it daily. –Zig Ziglar
31. Inspiration exists, but it must find you working. –Pablo Picasso
32. If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. –Vincent Van Gogh
33. There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. –Aristotle
34. Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal. –Henry Ford
35. The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. –Ralph Waldo Emerson
36. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.  Live the life you have imagined. –Henry David Thoreau
37. When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me. –Erma Bombeck
38. Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others.  Unsuccessful people are always asking, “What’s in it for me?” – Brian Tracy
39. Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart. – Ancient Indian Proverb
40. Believe you can and you’re halfway there. –Theodore Roosevelt
41. Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. –George Addair
42. We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. –Plato
43. Once you choose hope, anything’s possible. –Christopher Reeve
44. Start where you are. Use what you have.  Do what you can. –Arthur Ashe
45. When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life.  When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.  I wrote down ‘happy’.  They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. –John Lennon
46. Fall seven times and stand up eight. –Japanese Proverb
47. When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. –Helen Keller
48. Everything has beauty, but not everyone can see. –Confucious
49. How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. –Anne Frank
50. When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. –Lao Tzu
51. The difference between a successful person and others is not lack of strength not a lack of knowledge but rather a lack of will. –Vince Lombardi
52. Happiness is not something readymade.  It comes from your own actions. –Dalai Lama
53. The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible. –Arthur C. Clarke
54. First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end. –Aristotle
55. If the wind will not serve, take to the oars. –Latin Proverb
56. You can’t fall if you don’t climb.  But there’s no joy in living your whole life on the ground. –Unknown
57. Whoever loves much, performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well. –Vincent Van Gogh
58. Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. –Les Brown
59. Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. –Joshua J. Marine
60. The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. –Walt Disney
61. I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. –Leonardo da Vinci
62. Limitations live only in our minds.  But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless. –Jamie Paolinetti
63. Expose yourself to your deepest fear; after that, fear has no power, and the fear of freedom shrinks and vanishes.  You are free. –Jim Morrison
64. What’s money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do. –Bob Dylan
65. I didn’t fail the test. I just found 100 ways to do it wrong. –Benjamin Franklin
66. In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure. –Bill Cosby
67. A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. – Albert Einstein
68. The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it. –Chinese Proverb
69. There are no traffic jams along the extra mile. –Roger Staubach
70. It is never too late to be what you might have been. –George Eliot
71. You become what you believe. –Oprah Winfrey
72. I would rather die of passion than of boredom. –Vincent van Gogh
73. A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. –Unknown
74. It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves, that will make them successful human beings.  –Ann Landers
75. If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them, and half as much money. –Abigail Van Buren
76. Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs. –Farrah Gray
77. Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible. –Frank Zappa
78. Education costs money.  But then so does ignorance. –Sir Claus Moser
79. Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more. –H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
80. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. –Confucius
81. Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others. –H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
82. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. –Dalai Lama
83. You can’t use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have. –Maya Angelou
84. Dream big and dare to fail. –Norman Vaughan
85. Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. –Martin Luther King Jr.
86. Do what you can, where you are, with what you have. –Teddy Roosevelt
87. The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. –Alice Walker
88. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning. –Gloria Steinem
89. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live. –Mae Jemison
90. You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don’t try. –Beverly Sills
91. Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent. –Eleanor Roosevelt
92. Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. –Grandma Moses
93. The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me. –Ayn Rand
94. When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. –Henry Ford
95. It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. –Abraham Lincoln
96. Change your thoughts and you change your world. –Norman Vincent Peale
97. Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. – Benjamin Franklin
98. Nothing is impossible, the word itself says, “I’m possible!” –Audrey Hepburn
99. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. –Steve Jobs
100. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. –Zig Ziglar

God's Precious Gifts

Yesterday a butterfly
Came floating gently through the sky.
He soared up through the atmosphere
Then drifted close enough to hear.

I said, "I'd love to fly with you
And sail around the way you do.
It looks like it would be such fun
To fly up toward the summer sun.

But I have not your graceful charm.
I haven't wings, just these two arms.
I've been designed to walk around.
My human feet must touch the ground.

Then magically he spoke to me
and told me what his wish would be.

He said, "What I'd love most to do
Is walk upon God's Earth with you,
To squish its mud between my toes
Or touch my finger to my nose.

I'd love just once to walk around
With human feet to touch the ground,
But I have not two legs that swing,
I haven't arms, just these two wings."

And so we went our separate ways
In wonder and surprise.
For we'd both seen God's precious gifts
Through someone else's eyes.

Live Life!

Life is crazy, and totally unpredictable...
It's going to push you over,
kick you while you're down
and hit you when you try to get back up.

Not everything can beat you.
Things are going to change you,
But you get to choose which ones you let change you.

Listen to your heart,
Follow your dreams,
And let no one tell you what you're capable of.
Push the limits, Bend the rules,
And enjoy every minute of it.

Laugh at everything,
Live for as long as you can.
Love all, But trust none.

Believe in yourself,
And never lose faith in others
Settle for nothing but only the best,
And give 110% in everything you do.

Take risks,
Live on the edge,
Yet stay safe,
 And cherish every moment of it.

Life is a gift,
Appreciate all the rewards,
And jump on every opportunity.
Not everyone's going to love you
But who needs them anyways.

Challenge everything,
And fight for what you believe.
Back down to nothing,
But give in to the little things in life,
After all, that is what makes you.

Forget the unnecessary,
But remember everything,
Bring it with you everywhere you go.

Learn something new,
And appreciate criticism.
Hate nothing,
But dislike what you want.
Never forget where you came from,
And always remember where you are going.

Live Life to its fullest,
And have a reason for everything,
Even if it's totally insane.
Find Your purpose in life, and Live it!
© Livelovelaugh

Mothers Day Code254

This was what was doing rounds on twitter in honour of our mothers... with tongue-in-cheek of course!!! ;-)))

1. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan if she has a drawer or a place for keeping paper bags after buying something in it

2. #youknowyourmot­herisKenyan if when she beats u up she says "unalia nini na ata sijakuchapa?"

3. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan when she beats you with pauses; nani *slap* alikuambia *kick* ufanye *pinch* hivyo!"

4. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan if she has ever tried to remove anything that looks like dirt from your face with her saliva, even a birthmark.

5. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan if she asks you questions that have no answers 'Kwanini ulivunja thermos?'

6. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan if after whipping you anakushow "na niskie ukilia uone"

7. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan If she responds with "Vunja Yote Umalize" if you accidentally break utensils made of glass.

8. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan if she had special plates and cups 4 guests

9. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan when ur forced to wear a boshori till ur in class 4..

10. #youknowyourmot­heriskenyan if she ever asked you "kama kazi yako ni tv siku mzima'

11. #youknowyourmot­heriskenyan when you are boi/babi, and she tells you "mwambie umetumwa na mama boi/babi"

12. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan if she had a list of neighbors and relatives where you should not dare step into."nione umepeleka miguu huko"

13. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan When she calls you from the bedroom to take a remote that is right there on the table.

14. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan If you fall asleep on the couch but wake up in bed,well covered

15. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan if every new baby in the family lazima ashonewe sweater ama poncho

16. #youknowyourmot­heriskenyan if she threatens to hit you by actually hitting you!

17. #youknowyourmot­heriskenyan when you lose money and she says shika izi zingne pia ukapoteze!

18. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan when she buys you oversize uniform and says " hio utavaa hadi class 8"

19. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan if ukido dhambi anakupiga akisema "ni makosa tunapiga si wewe "

20. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan if she spat on a handkerchief to wipe your face when you were young

21. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan anaitwa bash pahali, alafu jioni anawaletea mokimo pilau nyama na soda kwa paperbag.

22. #YouKnowYourMot­herIsKenyan if ulichapwa for eating at the neighbour's.

...got any other to add?

Understanding the Deeper Meaning

Someone has written these beautiful LINES. Read and try to understand the deeper meaning of them.

1. Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout life.

2. Why is a car's windshield so large & the rear view mirror so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look ahead and move on.

3. Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes a few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.

4. All things in life are temporary. If they are going well, enjoy them, they will not last forever. If they are going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

5. Old friends are gold! New friends are diamond! If you get a diamond, don't forget the gold! To hold a diamond, you always need a base of gold!

6. Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart; it's just a bend, not the end!"

7. When God solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when God doesn't solve your problems, He has faith in YOUR abilities.

8. A blind person asked God: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

9. When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.

10. Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles; it takes away today's PEACE.

Have a brilliant understanding day, wont you?!!

First Love

"Love at first sight is to understand, its when two people have been looking at each other for a life time that it becomes a miracle..." First Love, that's what it is. This is a pour femme by Shirley May gift that my mum Niisha bought me from her school trip to Mombasa. This coming from a ten-year-old, quite touching! You shoulda seen me, aaaaawww!!!!

The adrenalin and anxiety that she had about the trip was just draining. We were practically being reminded of it every day as she was doing her countdown to the D-day! Her siblings really missed her when she was away. This gives you a picture of how no matter how many sibling fights they have, deep down they share mad love for each other! :-))))

Mtu n'mamake! ...and true to those words, my mum knows my love for good perfume and her gift just mellowed me. Check it out, need I say more?... God bless her!

Today's a really special day to us coz it only seems like yesterday yet its a decade since mummy dearest passed on. Still nostalgic about it. We said a Remembrance prayer for her & those who passed on before and after her.

She died at her prime tender age of 56! peacefully in her sleep. You shoulda seen her! Very beautiful with a smile on her face. She was at peace with God's will. Rest in peace Maa and Happy Mother's Day!

I sure will get to blog about it some day, but for now "Allahumah Igh'firha Warhamha Makana Fii Jannah!"... AMEEN!

This is for (the Ladies) ...My Daughters!

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It'll change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says. "No more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."

But that is not what I meant at all! I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.

I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. 

She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma.

That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom. However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.

Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of
pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. 

That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs. I want her to know that a caesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honour. 

My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child.

I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic. I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike.

I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts. My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. 

"You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

Please share this with a Mom that you know or all of your girlfriends who may someday be Moms. May you always have in your arms the one who is in your heart.

- Shannon Parker Norman

 

Diary Thoughts...

Sometimes you have to be strong for yourself. You have to know that you're a good person and a good friend. What's meant to be, will be and what's not, won't. Love is worth fighting for but sometimes you can't be the only one fighting. At times, people need to fight for you. If they don't, you just have to move on and realize what you gave them was more than they were willing to give you!
Diary Thoughts of a strong woman. - Ms Ari

If music be food for the soul, then play on...

OMG! I have just had a light bulb moment! Like daaah! I knew that but... I really, as in really love music. To me, it is very calming depending on the genre. I don't discriminate on the genre, so long as the beats, lyrics and voice(s) is/are great. When a hear a song and I like the flow, I will repeat it over and over again until the next best song comes along! ;-)))) That's me.

It's THAT kind of love for music that has made my babies love music too and be able to do an almost perfect rendition of the same. The repeat mode. We listen to the music over and over again until we master the lyrics, beat and really own the song! *light bulb moment*

Now, that is as far as I go. As I had indicated in an earlier post, as much as I love music, I don't possess the sweet melodic voice to release a similar rendition to the original song. Yap! I murder songs... tihihi  ;-)))) ...but none of my babies.

My obsession with one song and having it on repeat mode habit has caught on with the girls. They too, when they hear a trending song or one that they fancy, have it on repeat mode until the next best song comes along.

If music be food for the soul, play on...

Q&A session

An atheist came to a Sheikh and asked the following questions.


Atheist: Why is it Not Permissible in Islam for a women to shake hands
with a man?


Sheikh: Can you shake hands with Queen Elizabeth?


Athiest: Of course not, there are only certain people who can shake hands with Queen Elizabeth.


Sheikh replied: Our women are
 queens and queens do not shake hands with strange men.


Atheist asked another question: Why do your girls cover up their body?


Sheikh: Smiled and got two sweets, he opened the first one and kept the other one closed, He threw them both on the dusty floor and asked the atheist, "If you're to take one of the sweets
 which one will you choose?
"

Atheist: The covered one.


Sheikh: That's how we treat and see our women. Women should not be like the Moon which everyone can see and admire, they should be like the 
sun which makes the viewers lower their gaze.


Atheist: Show me God if he exists.


Sheikh: Look at the sun...

Athiest Replied: I can't see, the rays hurt my eyes.


Sheikh: If you can't look at the creation of God then how will you be able to look at the Creator??


Lastly the Athiest invited the Sheikh to his house and gave him Grapes, the Sheikh ate them, then he offered him a cup of wine, the Sheikh refused, the non-muslim asked him how come you muslims are forbidden wine and eat grapes although the wine came from grapes?


Sheikh: Do you have a daughter?


Atheist: Yes.


Sheikh: Can you marry her?


Atheist: No


Sheikh: Subhanallah, you marry her mother and can't marry her although she came from her.


Spread the knowledge, if you believe its worth sharing... :))))

Sleep... sleep... sleep... Zzzzz

I don't know whether it comes with age or there is a medical term for it. Why do I say so? Of late, I have been feeling very drowsy immediately after I feed. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, or even a snack in between meals. I don’t even feed heavily! Small portions to be precise, coz gaining weight seems to overpower the losing weight battle for me. The situation is so bad coz the sleep is so strong to an extent that I can no longer think or perform. All I want to do at that particular moment is SLEEP!!! Sleep... sleep... sleep! Zzzzzz.... GOSH!!! If I have an upcoming meeting, I deliberately eat very light, preferably just liquids, so as to avoid looking bored or sleepy during the meeting.

I think I should see a doc ASAP! “I think...!!!” Kua-serious Mej...

Thanksgiving for life's glories

Counting our blessings can transform melancholy into cheerful mass; laughter and joy are expressions of praise and thanksgiving for life's glories. When looking at the glass that symbolizes our life, we can view it as half full or half empty. The choice is ours...

The more joyful we are, the more attractive we become. When we feel gratitude for our experiences, it becomes easier to see the good that always exists. When we give a smile to someone else, we are likely to receive one in return, and that smile reflects a happy heart that is open and receptive to what the good life has in store.

- John Marks Templeton

"Hongeraa... nae mwana ahongeree"

"Hongeraa... nae mwana ahongeree, hongeraaa..." X10
We proudly swayed and sang to the mother of the bride (MOB) as we gifted her in cash and kind during her daughter's wedding over the Easter weekend back at home in Coast. This song is sang to congratulate the MOB in successfully raising her daughter to maturity ("ripe" for marriage) and still maintain her virginity.

Now this is a really mean feat to achieve in our current times especially with all media exposure and temptations left right and centre! So, the virginity news was received with shock as well as excitement! Now that right there is news worth bragging about! ;-))) The bride, who’s my niece, is a modern girl, well educated, highly focused and clearly had kept her chastity!!!!

Lemmie give you some lil juicy details to it. On the wedding day, when the Nikkah (Muslim wedding ceremony) has passed, the signing of the marriage certificate has an answering field to indicate whether or not the bride is a virgin. ...and on the wedding night, the truth shall prevail, the bride and groom solemnise their union on a white sheet. Yeah..., its true. Chambilecho wahenga... "Muacha mila ni mtumwa!"

The following morning the MOB is given feedback by presenting her the blood stained white sheet to proudly show off her daughter’s chastity. Ululations and congratulatory celebrations follow thereafter from her close relatives and friends. “Hongera... nae mwana ahongeree, hongeraa...” X10  ( “Congratulations to you (MOB)... and congrats to your daughter too, for the pride she has bestowed you...” X10 )

Count Your Blessings

Never neglect the little things. Never skimp on that extra effort, that additional few minutes, that soft word of praise or thanks, that delivery of the very best that you can do. It does not matter what others think, it is of prime importance, however, what you think about you. You can never do your best, which should always be your trademark, if you are cutting corners and shirking responsibilities. You are special. Act it. Never neglect the little things.

Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with Grace, Strength, Courage and Confidence!

                                                                                               - Og Mandino

"If I were you..."

These were the most dreaded words at the Editorial Graphics Design-desk. They always came and caught us unawares just when our creative juices were either at their lowest or when trying out something that was out of the box. Graphic designers at the Design-desk always looked over their shoulders for he whom was fond of unleashing these words.

The best is yet to come but the best I have ever learned in my many years of graphic designing, were under his wing. He would brief you on the assignment at hand and also chip in if the workload was overwhelming. Slowly and gradually we picked up his idealism. He would give credit where it was due and criticism too with equal measure. He was a good mentor and boss for me.

He always encouraged us to read more, learn more and new tricks to the trade and to also update ourselves with the latest designing trends worldwide, for the wide world web (www) was at our disposal. All we needed was just to dedicate 30minutes to an hour of our daily routine work to that.

Any Editorial graphic designer that was under Kamau Wanyoike's wing would attest to it... LOL. To you Kama, thank you and may the good Lord continue to bless your mentor-ship and leadership strengths. I often find myself pulling a "If I were you..." on myself in line of duty, tihihi. With tongue in cheek, one Mosh could pull a Kama on us designers at the desk and we would laugh our hearts out. ;-)))))))

"You can only make the best out of life by knowing and understanding it. To know, you must fall back on the intelligence of others who came before you and have left their records behind."  - Marcus Garvey