tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34983485527913646962024-03-12T18:04:39.653-07:00MY STORY.We all have a story, some are funny, some are traumatic, some are just nothing we could describe. Our lives are a story and not all of us might get a chance to tell it on Oprah's show but we can tell it here.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-29003247653301626432011-12-04T11:50:00.000-08:002011-12-04T11:50:03.566-08:00World AIDS day was ended in great company spreading awareness... on TwitpicIn light of the HIV/AIDS education, myself and a couple of friends grabbed some coffee and walked the streets around Rainer valley in Seattle passing out educational material to different businesses.<br /><br /><a href="http://twitpic.com/7n7aby#.TtvM936RNNA.blogger">World AIDS day was ended in great company spreading awareness... on Twitpic</a><br /><br />December 1st, World AIDS Day is a date for people to think about and act upon the global HIV epidemic. HIV continues to have a devastating impact on millions of people around the world. Whilst this infection can be prevented, HIV transmission continues to occur.<br />When HIV/AIDS was first discovered, no one could have predicted how the epidemic would spread across the world and how millions of lives it would change. There was no real idea what caused it and consequently no real idea how to protect against it.<br /><br />HIV education has been proved to be effective and necessary, both for people who are not infected with HIV - to enable them to protect themselves from HIV - and for people who are HIV positive - to help them to live with the virus.<br /><br />HIV and AIDS prevention is possible, but to avoid HIV infection people need more than just factual information. People must be able to negotiate safe and responsible sexual relationships; and those who choose to have sex need access to condoms. Needle exchange should be encouraged, as they have proven highly effective at preventing HIV transmission among injecting drug users.<br /><br />Look after yourself, look after one another and make our community a safer place.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-87665932569809029232011-07-11T00:08:00.000-07:002011-07-11T00:13:19.823-07:00Good Spirits.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAHTVzwO8bMZwo0Zwq7ViZzLMxhzUCCbbzutQk2xnSKFf1WQLEoodyeZswFkPdZogKPkRrtfN2ABEw1sVbrlTijpigdU9fY9gjH0VD5K-jVxlTwL-sBPN_eZ_FVcOx2JRs6f5B0_qxYI/s1600/IMG_0727.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAHTVzwO8bMZwo0Zwq7ViZzLMxhzUCCbbzutQk2xnSKFf1WQLEoodyeZswFkPdZogKPkRrtfN2ABEw1sVbrlTijpigdU9fY9gjH0VD5K-jVxlTwL-sBPN_eZ_FVcOx2JRs6f5B0_qxYI/s320/IMG_0727.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627989332091175346" /></a><br />Hellos my dears,<br />Better spirits tonight so I thought it fit to let my cup of victories run over and raise your spirits too. Actually, I should repent at this point because there's nothing specifically victorious to share. I am sure the men know this too, because they get to experience it first hand from the too many females in the world; Is it just me or other women too just wake up and with absolutely no reason, they are grumpy, and then another morning it's making merry? Anyhow, I just figured it's the progesterone at work.<br />Well, tonight is one of those merry days so I decided to make up an excuse for being in good spirits and thinking a little harder, I really did not have to make up any excuse. I always check my emails before bed, and I found two emails with invites for job interviews, I guess my hormones have some psychic DNA.<br />There's nothing really to share but ask the believers to pray for my 2 interviews and the pagans to keep your fingers crossed.(jokes)<br />I had a good get-away in the week to the ocean and a camping wedding this weekend that was bitter-sweet. I will share the stories sometime this week.<br />Love you all.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-81287530844762284852011-07-03T22:27:00.000-07:002011-07-03T23:40:03.186-07:00Wish you the best of July.Salute salute mes amis. My attempt to write a short, love "novel" took it's last breath today. I like to put my imagination to work. I just realized how frozen my imaginations have been recently. Before I would give the "I am busy" excuse but this time it would be a total lie since I have been out of work. I actually take it back, it's full time work looking for work.<br />Well, It's been a little frustrating tweaking my resume several times everyday to fit all the applications and that's not a good place to play the romantic novelist but at the least I can use this medium as a journal. <br /> It's been so hard to fall a sleep in the last month and I found myself relieving my college memories every night as I struggled with insomnia. I got stuck at the this one time I was asking God to help me make a decision while on crossroads. I tried to remember how I eventually reached the decision I had made and really couldn't remember much except I thought I had the mustard seed-faith that I was convinced beyond reasonable doubt, it would send mt Kilimanjaro packing. The decision I made then turned out to be disastrous but I still admire the faith I had in God, in me and in possibilities. <br />Growing up( physically , emotionally and professionally) brings along experiences and for me that experience has tainted my optimism. Not entirely but enough to remind me of the old saying " Growing up is tough". Have a happy July.It is my birth month and I am hoping to be "born- again". I am going to take it easy on growing up as a birthday present to myself. Chao, have fun.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-19315146049633632302011-06-22T22:37:00.000-07:002011-06-23T01:33:59.913-07:00Last (for now) of "Behind the Twist'Hello my friends. I hope you had a fruitful week unlike mine. Maybe not that unfruitful but definitely perished my lustful dreams including but not limited to a job at PATH. (PATH is an international nonprofit organization that creates sustainable, culturally relevant solutions, enabling communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health).<br />Okay, here we go with the last part of “Behind the Twist" until I am in a romantic mood again. I love you all and thanks for reading.<br /><br /> Princess please, it doesn't hurt to try, her best friend Cissy begged. You know I would rather stay home and watch a movie or something. Everything about jazz reminds me of Nick and I hate to relieve that short lived vacation romance. Folding the dress over her left arm, Cissy sat on the chair opposite, you are coming with me tonight and we are going to put a stop to this Nick dismal. Besides he's not dead, so, no reason to mourn him, and don't you start your guilty trips already, You had to return to work, thank heavens he pulled out of that coma and I don't blame him for his decision to stay back in Africa.<br />Cissy managed to convince Princess to go dancing instead. We'll skip the Jazz after the dance class and we'll be back before you know it.<br />Okay, Princess dragged herself off the couch, took the dress and a few minutes later emerged as stunning as ever. <br /> The dancing instructors smoothly moved in the studio, as if dreaming with their feet. The gloom on Princess' face rested with her purse as she gently handed it to Cissy when one of the male instructors asked her to dance. She was still orienting herself to the most romantic and sensual of all Latin dances, Rumba when a familiar face appeared from nowhere. Cissy had invited a friend of theirs, Alex. They had not seen much of him in the last six months as he wrapped up his graduate school. <br />Nice to see you Alex, Princess excused herself from the instructor's grip. It is fine, he released her hand as he yelled, group lesson starts in 5minutes.<br /> You are looking great girl; Alex gave her a squeeze hug. Princess smiled, you don't look bad at all yourself. They chatted a little and joined the group and stood next to Cissy.<br />The class went on for an hour, interchanging partners throughout, followed by the usual dancing party. Alex and Princess finally got a chance to dance together without being disrupted. <br />The music flowed from the lively and flirtatious cha cha to smooth waltz and so on. They held tight, rested on each others cheeks, they swayed and span, turned and traveled, they had nothing but fun. <br />Cissy sat at the bar watching the pair dance. She then rewarded herself with another shot of baileys for a successful set up. There is no doubt either of them would quickly forget this experience, Cissy thought to herself.<br />From the look of things, there would be no need to set them up again; nature would lead them to another date. <br /><br />There's no better place to fall in love than the dance floor. -Christine<br />Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance. -Author Unknownchristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-41409075901919585702011-06-14T01:59:00.000-07:002011-06-16T08:28:50.585-07:002nd part - Behind the twistThis would be my last beautiful Tuesday evening before I go back to work. Lily was out of town for a workmate’s funeral, Diana gone home, done for the day and Nick out with his friends, I think. I decided to take a book with me to bed to distract my wondering “heathen” mind. I also vaguely worried about Nick staying out till late as he had said he would be home to watch the show- Dancing with the Stars at 8pm.<br />Stoically ignoring the tempting urge to swallow an anti-anxiety pill as prescribed 30 minutes before dreaded activity, I quickly abandoned the idea and tossed the medicine bottle in the drawer. Even distracting myself in the imagination of having warm arms around me seemed impossible; it was as though I was never going to escape from this constant nightmare on constant rewind. What excuse will I come up with, this time? We had cuddled all night, yesterday and I knew he would try to advance on me again today.<br />I hopelessly laid in bed, hoping against all hopes, that I would miraculously embrace him and eventually give in to his seemingly burning desire to make me the happiest.<br />I had almost dozed off when I heard a knock on my bedroom. Come in.<br />Nick stood crookedly at the door as if posing on the runway. Do you sleep with the lights on? He asked. No, I dozed off. When did you come back? I didn’t hear the gate open. Helping himself to a seat on my dresser bench, he leaned on his elbow and rested his beardless chin in his palm. I took extra care not make any noise in-case you were sleeping but I can see you are still awake. <br />That was thoughtful of you. I was reading the last chapter of this book before I dozed off. He loosened his neck tie, I should leave you go to sleep then,I saw the lights on and thought I should come say goodnight. Before I could say anything, he stood up again, leaned over, kissed me on the cheek and quickly but gently rubbed my cheek as if wiping the kiss off. Walking toward the door he whispered. Good night princess.<br />Goodnight Nick. I watched him close the door behind him as I slowly smoothed my eyebrows. My sleepy head was blank except for the repeated echo, goodnight princess, goodnight princess goodnight princess……<br /><br />Until now I had been playing hard to get for suitors. I was doing a really bad job this time around. I had not just let this suitor in my borrowed bedroom but also in my little head. I caught myself delegating myself to the chores of a typical sweetheart.<br />Hey Nick, breakfast is ready when you are; he had his head buried in his suitcase. I took a few steps into his room and leaned against the wall. Do you have anything for ironing? I’m going to iron my blouse while you take a shower. He pulled out a black t-shirt and a blue stripped shirt, holding them up, which one? He asked. Hmmm, How about a short sleeve and not black because it is going to be over 90 degrees today. He buried his head in the suitcase again, Thanks for fixing breakfast, I’ll be there in a minute, he mumbled.<br />I sipped on my cup of coffee as I perused through the closet consciously looking for a sexy outfit which in my world usually looks like I’m going for a cooperate meeting.<br />I finally emerged ready to leave for town and Nick was outside smoking a cigarette. He came around and held the car door open for me. Thanks. You know smoking is not good for your health Nick. He strapped his seat belt and admittedly, nodded. I know, but you know how it is when you have smoked almost all your life. No, I don’t but I sure know you can quit if you decide to. With the wryest smile he nervously glanced at me. You are right. I need to quit.<br />It’s so weird the little things he does that I find incredibly cute. The way he flips his hair, it’s so sexy, very gentle and calculated. Sometimes he sounds like he’s hesitating to speak his mind and he sounds awkward. I aint so sure if this is a correct observation but it’s sexy anyway that he doesn’t assert the, “I’ll fix it” ego of most men. <br />There’s this sparkle in his eyes, kind of innocent and yet you know there is experience of a “bad” lover boy.<br />I’m not so sure what it is but I think I love this feeling of warmth and anticipation that beats my skeptical, insecure and tainted optimism.<br />Hellooooo, your seat-belt, I need to get you to your destination in one piece. He interrupted my thinking process, fading my winsome smile.<br /><br />Nick, The best Voice Impressionist I have ever known. I remember him slamming the brakes at a STOP sign. he was distracted, busy imitating someone we both knew and I was laughing so hard. And the next thing I knew, I was laying on a hospital bed, all wrapped up in bandages. Did he make it? I wondered.<br /><br /><br />To be continuedchristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-87383888402529445592011-06-09T23:27:00.000-07:002011-06-10T01:08:07.008-07:00Behind the twistMaybe no one comes to this blog anymore, I will still write just in case one person stumbles here. For those that checked from time to time, I am really sorry I let you down. I am now pledging to keep you coming back and sharing in my little rants and raves.
<br />If I were to imagine me as part of a production crew, I would be the continuity person but a lot has happened since I really wrote my stories. They have piled up that I might need a therapist to help me disentangle them. I should also confess that it was therapeutic to offload here.
<br />Anyhow, where do I start now? Okay,I know you forgot all I about last year but I'll take you aback alittle. Last year in November, I produced the Northwest African Queen Pageant in Washington state and It was a great success. www.northwestafricanqueen.com
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<br />It was kinda of nice to finally take a hard earned vacation from work and projects, so I attempted to write a romantic short story which I wanted to share with you today. Who knows, I might be a novelist in my next life.
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">It was now nigh to a couple weeks post my hospital electives. I stretched in Lilly’s cozy love chair thinking on how I would thank her for letting me lodge in her house for almost 2months. I had a wonderful work- vacation ever, eating the authentic African food, soaking up the heat from the equator and not forgetting the pampering from Lilly’s maid, Diane.
<br />Nick, a child-hood friend of Lilly came to stay at the house for the remaining part of his vacation before he returned to the plummeted temperatures of North America.
<br />The first couple days were gruesome uncomfortable. I wished he’d come to stay when Lilly was still on her annual leave. We now stayed in the house looking at everything but ourselves like two stranger little kids scared of each other. We were not entirely strangers since we had attended the same elementary school but never really got acquainted.
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<br />He gave me a ride, this one morning and I decided to break the ice. I honestly don’t remember the content, just cheap talk to break the silence. I remember though, looking carefully below my eye-glasses to see if he at least showed any slightest interest in the fact that there was a young, beautiful woman in the passenger’s seat. It did not seem the case, only calm, focused and awfully cute eyes when caught me staring at him. Our eyes had locked and sooner or later something would be unlocking.
<br />He got me to my destination and as I walked away from the car, I had this feeling that I had opened up a can of worms, harmless ones though.
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<br />Nick finished using the tub in my bedroom and sat on my bed for some cheap talk. I accused him of being shy; he smiled, and jumped onto the bed. Let’s see who is shy now. He whispered something like, "you are hot" in my ear as he crawled up on top of me to my waist.
<br />Then he started to unbutton my Zebra-print night shirt.
<br />I was lying down staring up at him as if it is a dream. Looking straight in his brown eyes, He flipped back his long twisted hair with technique and run his hands through. He then eased himself lying straight on top of my lower extremities. He stared right at me like he wanted to steal my brain. Trying so hard to keep breathing amidst the arousal, I shyly looked away. I immediately made an impulsive decision that I would stay still and watch. He lowered his body onto his elbows and his soft breath gave me the most disturbing sensation that my body was floating in the air. I bit the side of my lip, desperately hoping my body would not betray me again.
<br /> He must have perceived my uncontrollably shaking thighs to be a sign of excitement but he quickly realized it was nothing he‘d seen before. The smile on his face softly faded and he could not fathom the rejection in my eyes other than he was probably coming on too hard. He had waited for days and taken his advances quite slowly, he must have been thinking. He gently moved over and laid next to me to the right.
<br /> What was he doing? He should simply put his vest back on and go lodge in a hotel for the remaining couple of weeks. He turned to say good bye I supposed and the tears on my cheeks got to him – reached past his usual brick wall defenses.
<br /> Hey, what’s wrong? He asked. Knowing that my strange response to a harmless advance was queer and uncommunicative as was my usual habit, I fought the tears back but the burden of my familiar and yet unexplainable tormented thoughts could not go away.
<br />He asked again. What is it? Chocking on my tears and the lump in my throat, I cleared my voice, nothing much, only that I’m not up to the task and I am kind of embarrassed.
<br />I was so troubled to realize that I was pushing away the only thing that for a few minutes had made my body weightless. I had literally felt the ground shifting beneath me.
<br />Was I going to walk away like a cripple I now had become?
<br />I think it’s more than that but it’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it now. And he looked back up straight at the ceiling.
<br />“Well, then….” Nick hesitatingly, retrieved his vest under the bed covers already. I could stay here a little while if you will allow me, missy.”
<br />You may stay as long as you do not climb over this mountain, I laid straight two pillows in-between us.
<br />He tossed several times, my guess is, he was restraining himself from the temptation of getting his lean tight arms around my waist.
<br /> I knew I had to hold him so tight before I let him slip away. He seemed to relax from the cuddling, I knew then I had to deal with the monster in me before it consumed me forever.
<br />It had been years I last shared a bed with male specie without questioning the idea.
<br />Like I tell my roommate every morning, I slept like a princess, not worrying about a thing, like there were angels watching over me.
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<br />To be continued..
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<br />christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-3149454222128076492011-03-29T23:20:00.000-07:002011-03-30T18:44:11.946-07:00Northwest African Queen pageant 2010<object id="BLOG_video-FAILED" class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="FAILED" width="320" height="266"></object>christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-10179212448891708852011-03-29T23:14:00.000-07:002011-03-29T23:14:55.462-07:00Alex Kajumulo and Victoria Atieno on Malaria.<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vBFWPFocmZs?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-3519938233431061062010-08-04T11:24:00.000-07:002010-08-04T16:15:21.128-07:00Bits from April.Hello and a good month to everybody. Mine has been nothing but a nightmare of work work work, a harrowing one to be exact, hopefully the paycheck finds me sane. I can however, see a ray of success following this project I am working on and I will tell you all about it later.<br /><br />The last you heard from me was in April and I was preparing for a vacation in the pearl of Africa. Lots of stories from then till today but I can only tell you bits and pieces.<br />It was just around the Iceland volcano eruption, so my flight was canceled until 5days later. I was very disappointed but also thought it a blessing in-disguise to be more prepared. Like most women, up until 3am on my departure day I was not ready. I'm not the fancy kind but I thought I would be doing America a disservice appearing to my folks as if I was coming from the deepest of my village, so I had stayed up all night polishing my nails (actually fake nails)and ironing the hair. The nails never made it off the plane; they all came off as I hustled with the luggage changing flights.<br />I had a lay over in Amsterdam, for some reason I got a rush of fear. Somewhat strange, considering it had been a long time since I last saw my family and friends, fear is the last emotion to feel but excitement. In fact, if it was not for my dear sister's wedding, I had to be in; I contemplated on not following through.<br />I was scared of the unknown,(actually known to me), maybe someday I'll have the freedom to write a book about those fears that I've have slowly conquered.<br />Well, I finally made it home, lots of family and friends awaited me, lots of food, changes and not forgetting the heat and the dust. Most of my friends already married with children or on that route. It was different but good<br />Except the last week, when I caught Malaria, I enjoyed my 5-week vacation, mostly my sister's wedding.<br />Even though I was happy vacationing, enjoying being waited on, I had to come back "home", heads on with a pile of bills.<br />As I waved goodbye to my folks, I thought of people who immigrate to different parts of the world. With all the pleasure to experience the diversity of both worlds, there is also the pressure to fit in both worlds and later on find a sense of true belonging. The thought gave birth to my latest project, to find ways of uniting and supporting immigrants in my community establish themselves, share the beauty of our culture and belong. Any suggestions? Have a good one.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-55619663917502872582010-04-10T00:44:00.000-07:002010-04-10T00:46:40.678-07:00NOTHING FANCY BUT FINE.Good evening all my friends. I hope you can still allow me to call you my friends after abandoning you for over a month. I beseech to be pardoned. Brich, forgive me for promising you air last weekend. I can make a list of excuses. The very truth is that I have been preparing for my vacation and I did not want to write anything without according it ample attention. <br />It's 12 midnight and I just came home from a very long day to a house that looks like it's just been hit by a tornado. Not planning on doing a thing except pull a sheet over my head and enjoy the state of unconsciousness yet alive,I stumbled over the clutter of my unpacked stuff on the floor.I clenched onto the dressing mirror for support and came face to face with my image.I must say, for a second I liked what I saw. In a loud thought, I whispered, God must not look bad since I'm in his own image; And so you are all. <br /><br />Enough Blabbering. Up until I stumbled I was not sure what to write and then I thought I should share with you my preparation for my vacation. Among so many things I was concerned about was to find someone to sublet my apartment while I am gone so I advertised it a couple months ago.I finally found a good fit, a young woman and her boyfriend.They were in Japan so we made plans to meet as soon as they arrived in the country. Not that it's important but I was curious about their ethnicity so I could make appropriate changes but thought it rather awkward to ask. Well, They called last week for us to finally meet. I stayed up till 3am clearing out my junk, managed to put it all away but saved the thorough cleaning for the next day. Immediately after work I went shopping for a few things to give the house a better viewing, like flowers, lamp shade, fruit basket and whatever else to make it fancy. I drove home like a mad woman, went straight for the duster.I had not even taken off the shoes and they knocked on my door. I invited them into the house, apologised countless times for not being very prepared. They were very generous with their kind comments of how the apartment looked very nice bla bla bla....I really liked them,more so, they had company of a soft spoken fine young man.(Just appreciating God's creation, you know!!).Later after they had gone, I checked my account balance and I had over withdrawn my account to buy the flowers that I did not necessarily need. I have continued to learn that beauty has nothing to do with material because, I saw the beautiful image of Christine at her worst, after long hours of work, the meekness of the young man who accompanied my guests,the clutter-free apartment without the fancy accessories.I don't mean to say that accessorising is not a good idea but just being able to see beauty without the fancy.<br />I love my house sitting couple. Their ethnicity didn't matter after all. And I love you all.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-1050268232733831542010-02-02T23:46:00.000-08:002010-02-03T00:22:12.711-08:00So loud but quiet.It is so quiet today in my little apartment. It's just like yesterday and the other day.It's been like this forever. It's quiet, you could hear a pin dropping but also so loud with fear of loneliness. It's not lacking in supply of anything but also very empty of life. Boring and nothing much to do but my mind busy with a sea of thoughts.<br />What happened to the vision I had. I saw alot of people at my house eating, drinking and making merry. My fault, I'm busy with this and that or maybe everyone is as busy as I am.<br />I saw a crazy house of girls' sleepovers. That's why the big couch and the hide a bed sofa. Hmmm I don't know how I came up with that. All in my imagination. I cannot begin to tell of everything I tried to feel a saticifaction/ fullfilled.<br />Out of all of them, just this has worked, A very good work out and sleep in Sunday morning. Any better suggestions? Happy February.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-10784045273633438792010-01-15T14:14:00.000-08:002010-01-15T14:17:17.588-08:00New year resolutionsNew Year resolutions<br /><br />Happy, healthy and prosperous new year to you all. <br /><br />The year is still brand new and most people including myself are happy to have kissed last year goodbye. In 2009, I met a girl who was struggling to finish her Masters programme. I'm sure there those who were struggling to finish elementary, high school and college. I met several people who had just lost their jobs; I met others whose salaries had been cut because of the economy, including my sister who was told that "when America sneezes, the world catches a cold". I met a family which was falling apart leading to a divorce and another family whose head of the family and the sole bread winner was dying of a liver cancer. I also met a mother whose son had been taken to juvenile jail. The list goes on and on. It was one of those years that tested my personal strength as a hard working young woman. It was as if I was chasing wind or worse still, pushing a wall. Alas, it's over and done away with. It's gone and only hoping it takes with it it's troubles and hardships leaving us with a peaceful 2010. Unfortunately, life is not that kind. We only have ourselves to be kind to us, so what are we going to do with the gift of life in a new year? I'm sure you all have To do lists written down, or inscribed somewhere in your mind. This is your time to shine even if it takes the next several years. Do not despise small beginnings. The rise starts now. Over the years, I committed myself to big resolutions that I definitely never followed through with, so this God given year I have resolved to make daily baby steps. <br /><br />10 tips for a better year.<br /><br /> 1. Get enough sleep <br /> 2. Eat at least 2 meals a day<br /> 3. Drink plenty of water as if your life depends on it because it does.<br /> 4. Smile, smile, smile. It is an ultimate anti-depressant, world peace starts with just that one smile, it makes you look more beautiful and if you run a business, it will definitely increase your sales.<br /> 5. Waste not your precious energy on the negative. It's not okay to worry because it doesn't help. No one wants to attend a pity party. It's okay though to be concerned and to find solutions. When things run out of hand, STOP! take a deep breath and count one to ten allowing yourself to think, act or react rationally<br /> 6. Rearrange your priorities at any given chance especially when at crossroads. It could be daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly. It makes it easy to make decisions on how to spend your time, your energies and your money.<br /> 7. Do yourself a favor, don't smoke your life away, and drink your self to stupor. If it's for fun, the morning will not be fun because the hangover awaits. If it's to escape troubles, whenever you are done, they will still be there unless you actually do something other than add on more troubles. They don't call them cancer sticks for nothing.<br /> 8. Money, technology, fame and fortune will not take care of you when you are sick and old but friends, family and even strangers will, so treat everyone with respect. You just never know.<br /> 9. Get off your butt and do something. Someone has to sow for anything to grow. We reap what we sow. Even if you do not feel up to anything, (you gotta do what you gotta do)<br /> 10. Get enough sleep( Please try it, you'll be amazed the value of resting)<br /><br />Bonus<br /><br />11. Before you go to bed complete the sentence: I am thankful for__________. <br /><br />I wish you a better year than last year.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-2086080947616475712009-12-16T23:04:00.000-08:002009-12-17T01:27:36.199-08:00The Uuhs and Aahs of Today.Hellos my friends.<br />Santa is visiting my neighborhood tonight. I came home from work this evening and found a decorated Christmas tree outside my door with extra lights and ornaments in a box. I wish I knew about this Santa when I was younger, my wish list would have made a booklet. I actually still don't understand the whole Santa deal, but I'm happy about the early present. Thoughtful of you Patricia, I love the tree. I know for sure there is a God who feeds the birds in the air and keeps his eye on the sparrow. He can't go wrong with our wish list. In fact, he sorts our toys and eliminates those that may contain lead which could be harmful to us. And of coarse the kids that we are, we get upset with him. Poor us.<br />Ok, enough of the sermon.<br />Something else happened today, well several things. I set my alarm last night for 8am but as usual I was able to reset it this morning in my sleep to give myself a few more minutes and of coarse didn't wake up until 10 minutes to 9am. This is my morning routine. My morning sleep is one thing I can't exchange for anything, and I mean anything. Not even the wifely duties. Well, I got to office before my boss did, and that was an aah (I sigh). I had taken a couple days off so my desk was a total mess especially if you work with the messiest boss ever known to man. I hope he doesn't read this but if he does, I would like him to know that he's the best boss I have ever had or known. Another uuh came during my lunch break, one of our clients brought us fudge and I could repeat the aahs and uuhs as it melted in my mouth, I now kind of understand the whole chocolate fetish, I think it's real. Long story short, I went to a Christmas dinner party, though I was late, I found a few pieces of bread for appetizer and just before I got to them, the waitress took the plate and exchanged it for a big platter of I don't know what it was, Something with cheese and chicken., but it was delicious. The cheese and chocolate cake for dessert gave the whole dinner a kick. Then "the pick or steal a present" game came on. We all picked numbers and I was number 12, No one stole the other's present until Brian opened the Frog hamper. Paul immediately stole it from him, one strike. Then I stole it from Paul, second strike. I almost left as soon as I got it because I had just got a home for my dirty clothes I left on my bedroom floor, Uuh, awesome. Then number 14 stole it from me, third and last strike, I couldn't steal it back. I wish I had gone home with my last pleasure of today. Santa is still in my neighborhood, I at least went home with something, a decorative plate. Merry Christmas and happy holidays.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-7720196982803001402009-11-26T23:45:00.000-08:002010-01-08T14:10:04.733-08:00My lost love, the stranger.My lost love, the stranger. <br />I greet you all my friends. I hope you have had a fairly good to a very good year as it winds up. I count all my blessings even when there is been little to write home about lately.<br />I was pondering on the list of things I could have potentially kept in my journal and L.O.V.E kept popping up. Those who have rubbed shoulders with me can testify on my undivided commitment to that word but sadly, time has diluted and robbed some of it. L.O.V.E is such an ambiguous thing; I purposely give it no definition for the sake of avoiding a debate but highly associate it with kindness. Relax; I will not unleash all my love life here but just this one intriguing bit.<br />I read his letters and my heart feels a warmth indescribable, I listen to his voice and the face lights up. I try to resist the tempestuous feeling of passion until it overcomes me and I hide safely under the wings of HOPE (This could be it, "feeling"). A very good feeling, never felt before and yet anxiety inducing, bittersweet for lack of a better word. I enjoy painting a picture of his face and person in my head. Any color of beautiful, I use and make myself a perfect picture. God fearing, very elegant, kind, patient, attractive, intelligent, non-judgmental, faithful, enterprising etc, he fits them all until I meet or get to know him , he is non of the above. My love, the stranger, I lost him too until the next suitor, a stranger, my new love.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-40568454187408109152009-11-11T17:28:00.001-08:002009-11-11T17:28:34.376-08:00FASHION AND STYLEHello my dear friends. Good week to all of you. Time really flies. The holidays are around the corner, it feels like yesterday as we sat around the fire place on Christmas morning opening presents, with Prissy(cat) hopping from one lap to another, extending her little chin for a kiss,(don't say eewwh), She's adorable not the mice catching type. For those of you who did not get presents, I have one for you this year, just leave me a private message.<br />The title of this post may suggest that I know a whole lot about Fashion and/or style. I am sorry to disappoint you because I hardly know anything about anything, but I know so much about my taste and just for your eyes and ears, I was once told that I had style by a guy who clearly wanted more than a firm handshake, but we can give him a benefit of doubt.<br />Why fashion and Style? Well, don't we all wake up and get some clothes on? Don’t we enjoy it when people compliment us even when it is only courteous or they want something from us? Of coarse we do. <br />I would care less about fashion because it almost ruined my life. <br />Several months ago, I had made quite a bit of money so I decided to treat myself to a dress that was being advertised. The magazine or the show host, I do not remember which one called it “Steal Jessica Simpson's look for less", the look was dead gorgeous but the price, wallet breaking. What a heck, I thought to myself, I burst myself working hard, I need to quit the charity stores and catch the fashion epidemic. I went out and bought two dresses at a totally insane price, I had to put some on credit. Enough money to feed my whole village a couple of days. I invited myself to a lame theater show just to show off my Jessica Simpson's look. I had about half an hour to the show, so I decided to start on my laundry. I run the water on it as I gently perused my closet for the dress. I went back to the laundry to be sure the clothes were soaking well and I saw my dress in there. I quickly picked it out and the leather belt had bled all over it. The tag clearly read DRY CLEAN ONLY. It was too ruined to ever be worn. I did not just loose the dress, or the money I bought the ticket but had to work extra hours to repair my depleted account in the name of fashion. Fashion is so ugly that it has to be altered now and again. Therefore, I base my fashion taste on what will not itch, leave me too cold or too hot and give me enough room to eat and laugh. <br />My free advice, you can still look dead gorgeous for less. I will never forsake my charity stores again and fabulous I shall look.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-80309335649236733382009-10-19T00:09:00.000-07:002009-10-19T02:00:12.239-07:00AMUZED / DEMUZED HUSBANDHello my friends, I have missed you, I salute you all.<br />I have not been at my best in the last several weeks but I'm sure doing better than many in the world so I can't complain. I hope you enjoy reading my disconnect.<br /><br />At first I’m not sure if I have seen correctly, Oh yes, I have. The strip has two red lines, I’m pregnant! Maybe not an exciting story for some of you but if you ask me, this one is.<br />Why now? Thinking loudly, I don't have a good grip on my career and as if that's not bad enough, ends are barely meeting. Well, what did I expect for not refilling the pill?<br />My husband comes back from work, his face so pale from a long day and the cold temperature of Fall, I can't help but feel sorry for the burden of another dependant coming his way and the nagging 9 months landlord of our little tenant I might become, like most pregnant women you know. He looks at me gracefully and assures me that whatever is bothering me is going to be okay. Months fly by and before we know it, I’m pushing with all my might to finally evict my little tenant. Every time I turn and look at my husband, I can see how a wonderful father he is going to be. Such a graceful heart, soft and strong hands to cushion the baby, a responsible and exciting dad a child could ever ask for. My eyes though weary, faintly beam with delight; all of a sudden I’m a proud mother. (I skipped a bunch of events in between). My husband had been working on a project that had finally rewarded him handsomely, so, financially secure, a new born baby, a beautiful wife, he can’t get his hands off me and trust me, my real husband will not enjoy watching that scene of the movie unless I don’t take the role. Nice script though.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-38423365625533037342009-10-11T13:48:00.000-07:002009-10-11T14:00:50.041-07:00THE MOVEHello everyone,<br />The last couple weeks have been the most crazy weeks of my third quarter, with both the sweet anticipation of moving to a new house and the bitter experience of loosing all my original documents, not the worst that could happen to anyone but pretty draining.(Good excuse for my complacency to write). So how have you guys been? I'm all ears for all your updates. Until then, so long. Watch this space.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-27421038441326864572009-09-22T00:54:00.000-07:002009-09-22T00:55:06.856-07:00FIRST TIMEI can't stop smiling every time I remember the first time, I meant to write , the first time I flew and then I remembered the first time I crossed the boarders of my birth country, oh! my first rotation on the hospital ward, the day I first arrived in the US, the list goes on and on.<br />The advantage of having a bad memory like mine, is that you enjoy the same things as if they were first time, so I wouldn't bet all these events were first time, hmm, I think they were.<br />I would love to tell of the wondrous story of each of them but I'll spare you the pain of reading a soap opera, I myself would rather watch it than read it.<br />This was in the early 2000's, I was in nursing school, a member of the choir at the cathedral, I was on the Red Cross youth committee and a volunteer with Right To Play, a children non-profit Organisation and I was running for the deputy Guild speaker on the student leadership, busy body. I loved every single bit of what I was doing and I couldn't imagine giving up one for the other until I was asked to travel to Northern part of Uganda( war-torn zone), in the displaced camps to train coaches in first aid. I would never have risked my precious life to the danger zone but this opportunity was a little less than touching the hem of Jesus' garment, I was going to fly to the training, Flying for the first time. I literally couldn't sleep, not anxiety, not insomnia but the excitement was too much to contain. I abandoned everything else that I was involved in and packed for the trip as if I was leaving for a vacation to the Bahamas for months. I was sure to include my passport because I kind of linked the airport with a passport, of coarse I didn't need one, I was not crossing any boarders. I told all those who cared to listen of my "morning flight", oh dear. You could see the envy in their eyes. I couldn't imagine being anyone else but me, because I envied me too.I arrived at the airport with another volunteer and it was a thrill just checking in the departure, though nothing as dramatic as I imagined . We got onto the ten seat plane, I made a point to call my uncle just for him to hear the noise of the plane as it took off, to be sure I was flying. You think this is funny but boy, this experience can be overwhelmingly exciting. Actually overwhelming. A few minutes in the air, I wished I had never got onto that thing called the plane. I felt intense pressure in my cranial, almost bursting through my ears, I felt like there was no content in my abdomen, I simply felt bad but still maintaining my demeanor, I leaned over the chair in front of me, fastened my neck scarf around my tummy and that kind of eased the discomfort. My poor fellow volunteer turned and convincingly told me how he was catching malaria, not to mention everyone else on the plane rushing through the door when we finally made the first stop. They were sick as a dog. You would think that they were used to flying to get sick since they must have travelled so far, telling from the colour of their skin. I later on found out that small planes are not the best for first time feel good flight. My next flight was with Boeing and believe me, I wish to have a bad memory with my first flying experience but it just won't happen. I almost forgot to say that we took the bus back home.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-41698482920274246922009-09-05T19:07:00.000-07:002009-09-05T19:09:15.185-07:00My very good friend, Nicole, once said that I'm a piece of work, definitely not something I paid attention to. I took some time today to reflect on the things I dreamt of doing and the list was endless. Entangled in my youthful ambitions, exploring opportunities and putting my abilities to test,not a piece of cake. Like my friend Gerald, I still do not know what I want to be when I grow up. I don't mean to wash my dirty linen in public but it's part of not being grown up yet. Well, I don't remember anyone asking me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I can barely remember what I had for lunch, so maybe someone did ask.<br />I always loved music dance and drama, not the exceptional kid on the block, but was damn good in those folk songs and dances. At about 14-15 years, I thought I had it all figured out. I thought I would make a good doctor, I'm a nurturer, I love to care for those in need, I am kind and all the goody "doctor" qualities but i sucked at biology. It was just around this time that I had become a christian even with a church minister for a father, it took me that long to take a grip. Well, my "inwit" was, that whatever I believed , I would get ,do or conquer. (I'm miss that baby faith).<br />I was offered a combination of history, economics, divinity and Music (This is in the part of the world where someone decides what you should study), And I still hoped to go to medical school with that combination of classes, you can't beat that "daftness" but faith I call it. Long story short, I finished high school, got a government sponsorship for a bachelor of arts in music, I tried to change to drama, in vain. My ardor for medical school was so intense that I couldn't tell the difference of a simple key G from key F# in the music aural class. I woke up one morning and shamelessly, went to the nearest nursing school as a point of entry in the field and literally begged for admission. The registrar ordered me out of her office and holding back the tears, chocking with passion and desparacy, I reassured her that I would be the best nurse there would ever be and I wasn't going to leave her office without an admission letter. She ignored me for a moment, started rearranging papers on her desk and then she pulled out a couple of papers from the pile and handed them to me, to fill out.The rest is history, I graduated as a registered nurse 3 years later. Not the zenith of my career, but fairly accomplished.<br />Thus far my guts got me, still hoping to be a Ben Carson of my generation, I decided to do something more fun in the summer to distract my obsession and alas I remembered the the option of drama that I was denied , so I decided to spend a few bucks for acting classes. The same Christine with enthusiasm and devotion to be the best at whatever I do, I prepared a 3minutes monologue for homework , practiced all night like my life depended on it. For a second, I thought I could be an actress when I finally grow up, Maybe not, because I forgot half of the words on the d-day. So pissed at myself, I showed up at work this morning with a long face and a lamp of disappointment in my throat and thank heavens for doctors, my boss offered to look in my throat and examine me , just in case I'm coming down with an illness. Poor him, his nurse is a piece of work. I agree with Nicole.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-37933735781158537702009-08-25T00:24:00.000-07:002009-08-26T00:34:49.044-07:00It's 1:24am and no stratagem to kick off this weeks post but from my daily sermon, I preach to myself; You will not get anything done unless you get off your butt. I definitely had decided one of my many unending stories to tell you but my left rotator cuff will not let me do it and now I can't remember which of the stories I had decided on, except try to figure out how I hurt myself.<br /><br />Well, it's not just my shoulder injured but my memory too. I can blame it on being busy, God knows with what. Anyways, take good care of yourselves my friends because we get so busy and forget the little things that keep us fit and healthy, like a hearty healthy breakfast, a very good night rest. Oh I feel like indulging. I'll set an example now, go to sleep and I'll tell you all about it here in a few. Later my friends.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-9945072151194530182009-08-09T20:49:00.000-07:002009-08-09T20:51:01.695-07:00I heard of a story where a father asked his children what they wanted to be when they grew up, one of the them wanted to be a bus conductor because they always have a lot of money in their hands (ofcoarse not in some countries where money is deposited in a machine or passengers carry prepaid cards and passes), another wanted to be a house maid because she believed that they get to eat all the food they want since they fix the meals. I guess I had a better choice. Around my teen years I thought it would be cool to be a receptionist because they looked very nice wearing their smiles , many of those I envied were always in heels and every sound they made with a step shouted confidence, they sat in rotating chairs with wheels and swung in them with skill. Oh I envied them. In my small head, beautiful, exciting, fun, awesome, anything good about a job equaled a receptionist. The center of attraction, I thought they knew everyone and everyone knew them because they greeted everybody in a familiar way. Hmm, at some point in life I became one and I could write a book about being a receptionist if I knew how but I’ll spare you the whole drama and tell you a glimpse of it. This is a drop in the ocean.<br />Thank you for calling …..Medical center, this is T, how may I help you? 100 times a day and the answers were pretty much the same. This one time it was a young man and he wanted an appointment. Another client had cancelled so I asked him to come in a couple hours later. Nothing like the celebrity in my previous post, but he was good looking, about 6’1 with a great physic, in a dressy blue shirt, tacked in nicely and he looked very responsible, I could score him at 99%, I think I told myself that the days of petitioning God for his will were over and I needed to start thanking him for the creation standing right in front of me, because it fit so well. Long story short, several months later he asked me to dinner at his house with his other friends and I said amen, let it be. I appeared at my best. When I got to the address, I was a little confused because it didn’t at all look like a neighborhood he would be living in. I double checked and sure enough it was. I entered the house, it looked alright inside and a dozen of eyes welcomed in. At this point I had reduced my score to 65%. Everything was going on well until the last guests appeared, I had excused myself to the bathroom and I can’t tell how it started but when I returned, my good looking young man was on top of his guest punching him so hard, a lot of curse words in the air and when he finally let go of him, the guest asked my host how his new nigger girlfriend would think of what he’d just done. Everyone was silent.I don’t know what disappointed me most, being called a nigger, my “perfect” violent young man, being a receptionist or Skipping swimming to watch a fight? I don't know which one but I know his score dropped to 0%. And being a receptionist, isn't as fancy as I thought.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-76072073281632740662009-08-02T23:48:00.000-07:002009-08-03T00:13:44.972-07:00My mind is like a sea of thoughts, I couldn't wait till morning to share my long awaited oppurtunity that finally knocked on my door. Why I have to waste my precious sleep amusing myself writing to the annonymous, I can't comprehend but it's sure better than lying on my supine , turning lateral, prone, supine again itching to tell any ear that cares to listen. Ok, I won't waste any more of your time, I'm so itching to tell.<br />It's finally end of school year and even if I was sad to leave my friends that I had tried so hard to make, I was also excited to have free time to do fun things like watching as many movies as I could get my hands on. For all the years I've watched movies, it was not until recently that I could tell Beyonce from Jennifer Lopez, so it was not unusual that I didn't recognise this rare, wonderfully and fearfully made actor that appeared in a couple of them that I watched. A very fine man I must say and a good actor too. Preety soon I was watching his movies everyday. I spread the gospel of this cute guy to all my girlfriends.<br />I silently fantasised meeting him in person. Just like ever meeting Barak. Can you imagine entering a room and meeting with Barak? I wonder what I would do. Well, I finally met this fair skin , muscular, tall , neat actor , I was stuck to my chair. My chin dropped, my mouth gaped, and my extremities were cyanosed and numb. I couldn't feel a thing, I frooze. He was on the phone all this while, my guess is , it must have been good news because his smile lit up the whole space as he walked towards me. I jumped up from my seat like there were pins and needles and wondering what to do next, he saved me the trouble and stretched out his hand . I was thrilled, excited , overjoyed, name it and I walked closer for a hand shake and damn it, my alarm clock went off. I was dreaming.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3498348552791364696.post-21273951192701257462009-08-02T00:16:00.000-07:002009-08-02T00:21:28.888-07:00My passion to get things done always drives me like automatons , but passion alone wasn't helping in getting this post started. I finally had to burst my bubble, I'm not a writer but what a heck? I don't have to be a professional writer to tell a story, do I?<br />It was a very hot Thursday evening as I rushed out of the lecture room after a long boring class of Ethnomusicology, all I wished for was a very rich man friend with a car to be waiting outside my class to chauffeur me home, or better yet to a beach somewhere with the cool breeze. Well, I already had a boyfriend and the old school me was not about to hook myself another. I jumped on the next "boda boda" (a motorcycle for hire) to my boyfriend's house. As most of the men in this part of the world, he was waiting for me to fix dinner for his several visitors from Europe. At this point of my life I did not only suck at writing but also at cooking, but heh, I could die for this guy so I always gave my best to anything for him. I'm a natural multi tasker, at least that's what I thought, so I peeled the plantain put it to boil, set another pan of stew on the stove and since we had only two burners, I put the pan with rice on the charcoal stove and run to the dinning room and set the table. You know , with the glasses on the right side and silver to the left like I'd always seen in the fancy restaurants. I went back to the kitchen, started dishing out the stew and my boyfriend stormed in and started complaining of how I'd put the forks on the wrong side , I apologised, of coarse with a grin , I was already bursting myself. I opened the pan of rice and hmm, it was so soggy , you would think it was porridge. I threw it in the trash can and run to the restaurant across the street and bought cooked rice, what I should have done from the start. I took it straight to the table. I took the water jar next and had the platter of plantain in my hands when my dear boyfriend forcefully spat on the floor. My hands let go and the plantain was on the floor. All I had left to serve was the bought rice and the water. The stew had too much salt and this time not my fault because I don't eat meat so I couldn't test the stew. What an excuse? Well , he dumped me one year later. I don't know why he did though. If it was the cooking, he missed my awesome cooking that has improved over the years.christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14166334145930982650noreply@blogger.com11