The Adventures of Savvy Kenya

Sunset in Utawala.. the clouds kinda look like Jesus :) #S4Pics

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:09:20 -0400

Sunset in Utawala.. the clouds kinda look like Jesus :) #S4Pics

At last, my life’s companion is here :)

Fri, 17 May 2013 04:35:35 -0400

At last, my life’s companion is here :)

Gentlemen, it’s alright to carry her handbag if...

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:53:10 -0400

Gentlemen, it’s alright to carry her handbag if she’s carrying your child

Still blue, still true #teamAFCLeopards #oursForever

Fri, 17 May 2013 01:54:20 -0400

Still blue, still true #teamAFCLeopards #oursForever

Too sleepy to wish mummy a happy birthday so here’s to my...

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:43:47 -0400

Too sleepy to wish mummy a happy birthday so here’s to my 25th!

At two weeks, J making faces at the camera..

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:44:35 -0400

At two weeks, J making faces at the camera..

Little J is one week old ;-)

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 05:56:58 -0400

Little J is one week old ;-)

This bird just perched on the tree outside our office window.....

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:14:15 -0400

This bird just perched on the tree outside our office window.. beautiful (Taken with Instagram)

Random Friday Afternoons

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 08:02:00 -0400

Created by Oatmeal

Lost

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:26:06 -0400

At what point do you decide to change your life? When does the adventure get too much and you decide that the days of misspent youth should now end?

What happens when you lose interest in the supposedly important things in life? Sometimes I wonder who decides what is important. Sometimes I don’t want to get out of bed to face the day, but it has to be done anyway. Sometimes I break all the rules just to find there’s no punishment, only guilt. You play with fire, maybe you get burned and maybe you don’t. Maybe you escape with no burn but the memory of that pain sears your mind, etching images that cannot be wiped away with time.

What is morality? What is it that people do during the day and they can still sleep at night in peace, who are you to judge them? I feel like I just need a break from my life for a while. It’s moving too fast and I just can’t seem to catch up, slow down dear life! It’s a slippery path we ride, with nothing like a pool of water at the other end to contain your splash into nothingness.

When thoughts plague you at night, when you can’t sleep until the 5 o’clock alarm goes off and your mind can no longer sustain the body’s demand for rest, when this happens any night, sober or drunk, then you know that perhaps it’s time to change your life.

typicalugandan: “Owaitu Kabale - Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale”...

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 12:10:07 -0400

typicalugandan:

“Owaitu Kabale - Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale” (Photography via Enfumu Z’Abanyakigezi)

June

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:50:32 -0400

She’s the lady in the middle. She marks the beginning of the second half of the year. She has been a confusing month for me, I feel like I’m just there on the precipice. Waiting. Waiting for what, I do not know, all I know is I’m waiting. Perhaps for something life changing to happen, some good news, lots of money, love, life.

June, hmm… sorry too many thoughts running through my head. Enough adventures. My mum graduated on 29th, congratulations to her!

My grandfather died on the same exact date one year ago.

Anyway, here’s to July.

Madaraka Day: 1st of June

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:20:00 -0400

It came and it went, and days flew by so fast I have no idea where to begin writing my (non) adventure story.

I’ve realized that some days pass by without having looked at his facebook profile, and I’m surprised I forgot to check it out! Maybe all one needs is a distraction, you know? He he.. don’t ask for elaboration. I’m writing this at 3 am because I woke up late: 1pm to be exact. I just couldn’t get out of bed in the morning!

So what did I do on Madaraka Day?

I must have woken up late, as always. I think I had a meeting in the office on that Friday afternoon. Oh I did wake up early! I thought I had malaria because I woke up rushing to puke, yet it wasn’t morning sickness (ha! thank God). I couldn’t even keep a sip of water down and bitter bile kept interrupting my 10-12noon meeting in the office.

I decided to see a doctor. I haven’t seen a doctor in a long while. On the door was written Dr. Magda so I expected a middle-aged lady and was pleasantry surprised to meet a cute doctor with extraordinarily brown eyes.

The Cute Doctor

He diagnosed ulcers and I had to take a H. Pylori test, which turned out positive. He was a cute young doctor though of course at the point when he’s telling you that you need a stool test, you cannot look at him in the face. Only stare at his t-shirt that advertised Jose Cuervo (the tequila!)

I’m still taking the meds!

Uchumi Ngong Road

So the clinic I went to is above Uchumi Hyper on Ngong road. By the afternoon, I was too ravenous and had to eat something: a ham and cheese sandwich from the supermarket. It’s a huge filling thing. I was still determined to make it to my activities: a book launch and a movie with my friends.

Binyavanga Wainaina

I arrived at the Railways museum (after using Google maps to find it) around 7pm. The scene was set: there were tents set up, strange lighting, the stage where the musicians were warming up, bales of hay for people to sit on, people streaming in and Binyavanga with a beer in hand. I got my book signed immediately:

“To Harriet, with my love, Binyavanga”. I’ll put up the picture as proof later :)

Men In Black 3D with my crew

I couldn’t stay long because my friends from campus were waiting for me for the 8:15 movie at IMAX 20th Century. I must say it wasn’t all that.. but the company was awesome. Sleepover at friend’s place then ensued, and we talked almost all night but eventually slept on a mattress on the floor, feeling young and free!

Saturday: A disappointing Harambee Stars story!

That’s my small bro and I declaring war on Malawi Flames!

Read it here.

Let’s see how June works out. Finished some exams last week (Module 5; one more module to go!), so much to do this week!

A footballer and a fan! ;) (Taken with Instagram)

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 10:12:37 -0400

A footballer and a fan! ;) (Taken with Instagram)

At last I get a pic with Eric Masika himself! (Taken with...

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 11:39:57 -0400

At last I get a pic with Eric Masika himself! (Taken with instagram)

Humbling Moments

Mon, 28 May 2012 08:54:18 -0400

I learn, I live.

Some days I get through the day like a zombie, some days I achieve something.

I can’t wait to finish classwork and embark on my research. Research should be interesting. Especially if I can get a research grant!

I hope by December I can say goodbye to schoolwork. I want my mind to be free, to devour novels and books like I used to.

I have exams in about a week, assignments, and a proposal to be done by then. I have my usual job, which I could say is currently ‘freelancing’.

I never lack ‘plot’; that’s a plan to have fun, every weekend. My friends are always there, for that cup of coffee, random shopping stint, one drink for the road, movie at the IMAX 3D theater on Mama Ngina Street. Truth be told, I’m looking forward to hanging out with my friends more than watching Men in Black in 3D.

Meanwhile, I have to get through Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…

Friday is a holiday: Madaraka Day. They day we got our independence, though we were still under the Queen, in 1963. It wasn’t until 1964, December 12th, that we became a republic.

Binyavanga Wainaina will launch his book: One Day I Will Write About This Place. Just A Band Will perform. He will be there, so he better sign my book. The venue is the Railways Museum, which I have always wanted to visit. I will wear my black dress and heels and long coat (it’s cold in Nairobi, I mean about 20 deg celcius!) and I will enjoy myself.

Monday is almost over. I still have evening class to attend, but in my head once daylight is gone, then Monday is gone with her blues.

Inked Again

Wed, 16 May 2012 08:59:26 -0400

Damn, a healing tattoo itches like a motherfucker.

I’ll come back to finish this post later.

The Men In The Night

Tue, 15 May 2012 08:15:44 -0400

I have mulled over this post several times. I have walked in the night these past few months, every weekday. I leave class at 8:30 and the bus drops me home around 10pm. Then I have to walk for 10 or so minutes, past silhouettes of houses in the moonlight, past the few shops masquerading as a shopping center, past the sleepy butchery and beer selling point, past the remains of buildings that are yet to be completed, past the tall estate lamps (named mulika mwizi) that light up the area, past the creepy corner where neither moonshine nor mulika mwizi can penetrate, past the flats with their water tank, before I can reach home. It takes me 10 or so minutes, because I’m never in a hurry.

Usually, I get off the bus alone, and walk alone. *Cue for Greenday’s Boulevard of Broken Dreams*

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don’t know where it goes
But it’s home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
When the city sleeps

And I’m the only one and I walk alone

I loved the walks in the night, except when it rained. Sometimes I listened to music, but most times I let the silence of the night cloak me. The only sound was my footsteps and beating heart, my thoughts above all. The only sight was my shadows, 2 or three depending on the moon and the mulika mwizis.

Once in a while, I got off the bus with some people and we’d walk in the same direction in silence, and part ways as each branched away from the main road. We spoke sometimes, and it was always with the men.

One is a lecturer, he teaches evening classes at a college in town. He’s a nice man, tells me about his family. He always ends the conversations with “God Bless You and Goodnight.” We discussed politics, the state of security, water supply, roads, Kibaki and his succession, accounting, universities etc. We always met on Wednesday nights, and almost always took the same bus. I haven’t been seeing him recently, maybe his classes are on holiday. Now that I have moved out of home, I’m not sure I’ll ever see him again.

Another one is a man I met only once. He was struggling with heavy Tuskys paper bags. He was a big man, perhaps 6ft tall and not-so-slim. I wondered if I should offer to help then thought that since he looked energetic he might get offended. After a few paces of walking, he asked me “kwani mtu huwezi saidia” (Can’t you help me out?) so I took over one of his bags. He told me about himself, but I don’t think I was listening. He told me to take him to his house, then he would escort me to mine but I refused. He told me we can go to my house first, but I declined the escort offer. As I have him back his bag, he asked if I could kiss him. Surprised as I was by the request, again I had to turn him down!

I met an old guy one time, except it was during the day. I walked with him, he was stooped low because of old age. At one point, I wondered if he knew where he was going but when he mentioned the primary school in the area, I realized he did. He told me of his wife who had passed on but they never had any children. He called his nieces and nephews his kids but he wish he had his own. He said it is never too late to have some and would I marry him? I smiled and wished him bye, I had reached my turning point. I watched his figure fade into the road in the distance and wondered if I will be lonely in old age.

There was the army guy, you could tell by the authority he carried in his shoulders. I must mention here that we live within a few kilometers of GSU, AP and army (training) camps. A lot of men in uniform around the neighbourhood. Our immediate neighbour is a cop. It was quite late in the night when I met the army-guy and he told me not to worry, the neighbourhood was safe. If I wanted he’d walk me home but I told him I’d be fine. We talked a little and he asked for my number. He’s never called me.

One night, I walked with someone who also goes to Strathmore, yet we’d never met in the relatively small and quiet neighbourhood. I also met a teenager who is a friend of a cousin in the area and was quite aghast when he asked for my number.

In the end though, it is always just me walking the last 3 or so minutes alone. When everyone is asleep, I walk in the night.

Young Again

Thu, 10 May 2012 11:16:00 -0400

Lemon tea. (Cuts half the lemon, squeezes it into the cup of team, puts the un-used half of the lemon into the fridge. Closes fridge. Sighs)

Vodka with lime and a hint of water. (Stares at bottle of vodka. Pours a little amount into the glass. Stares at tattoo that’s still ‘crying’)

The former is the last drink I had at home. The latter is what I’m having now. See, I have left home. Packed my bags and moved out. At 24, I feel it is late. Given a choice, I would have moved out at 18, but then I had to go to campus first. After four years at Juja, I went to Rwanda for about 3 months, a story I have documented on what I’d call my mainstream blog. I even met Paul Kagame, true story!

I rinsed out the cup, stared at my packed suitcase, two backpacks and a handbag and thought to myself, this is it. I am starting life. This is independence.

Breaking away is not easy. It takes a toll on you, on your parents. My parents were reluctant to let go of their first born and only daughter. I think my mum had plans for me: to get one of those high-flying jobs, stay at home until I’m 28, and move out only into my husband’s home. She doesn’t understand why I had to move, and we are living in the same city! I know she will come round since my parents are now home alone: my younger brothers are in campus and away except for holidays.

I had a limited budget so decided to move into some hostel near Strathmore University, where I am doing my evening classes. Masters of course, I dispensed with undergraduate two years ago with a first class degree *bragging rights never end*. The only problem is that everyone in that place is not older than 20. I feel like a grandmother there! Of course I don’t look it.. 18 till I die! I don’t intend to stay there more than 3 months. I just didn’t want to move to a house and only have a mattress on the floor as the only possession! So this is my stepping stone as I save up for my own place.

It’s exciting taking this journey to independence. I’m taking care of my expenses now, and will only go home for weekends sometimes, and holidays etc. As I stare at the near-empty glass, I think about the roller coaster 3 weeks I have had, starting from April 23rd:

Monday 23rd April

It’s my 24th birthday and I don’t have a phone! My S II has its screen crashed in coast. It’s possibly the worst birthday ever, ends with a lecture from my dad asking me where I’ve been, even though he knows I went to Mombasa to watch my team play Tusker. We had lost 2-0. I sent some guy 5,000 MPESA instead of 500. So many things had gone wrong! Then before I sleep I get my bro’s phone to check messages. I get a friend has sent me 4K MPESA for ‘wine’, I use it to get a Nokia C1-01. It’s the best of days, it is the worst of days.

Saturday 28th April

Tonight

We are young

So let’s set the world on fire

We can burn brighter than the sun

So if by the time the bar closes

And you feel like falling down

I’ll carry you home tonight

I spend the day with someone I like, though it’s one of those days you know you will never have again. I attend a wedding with him even though I know no one else at the wedding. I wear a blue dress. I lose my blue dove earrings. I fall in love again. I make promises I will never keep. I think of the song, “We Are Young”

Monday 30th April

My contract at work runs out. That’s it, I’m jobless. I spend the week waiting for my pay so I can move out of home.. I have decided this is it! I finally get paid on Friday evening and I skip class to do some shopping with my BFF. I get a blue dress, she gets a black dress. We both get black coats. We gotta rock it during the bloggers’ event on Saturday.

Tuesday 1st May: Labour Day

I realize he’s decided to stay and there is no future here.. I still have hope.

Saturday 5th May

My team, AFC Leopards, encounters its second loss this season. To a lowly ranked City Stars. It’s not just any loss, it’s a thrashing. A whooping 3-0 loss. I am hoping my other team, Liverpool, can beat Chelsea for the FA Cup. It doesn’t. Chelsea takes the FA Cup after a 2-1 win. I’m a the bloggers’ awards having fun. It doesn’t matter if I don’t win anything, but a win would be a consolation. I don’t win. This was not my day. I find my brothers. We go home. All I have had this night is four glasses of juice: two of apple, one cocktail, one mango.

Monday 7th May

I inform my parents that I am moving out. It’s a mixed reaction. Emotions run high but I am determined.

Tuesday 8th May

I move out. I’m independent. 24 years later. I finally end it with him. No further communication. It’s time to move on. It’s sad. I can get through this.

Thursday 10th May

I get inked for the second time. On my mind is my topic for my masters thesis. I gotta ace this. I’m an academician. I love studying, it doesn’t require much effort from me. Oh, I get a job offer, starting Monday.

From this coming Monday to Thursday, I have an invite to Tsavo East and West national parks, a trip for bloggers by KWS. To help promote visitation of the parks online. However, the job requires that I start Monday, no compromise. I do need a job… but I looove traveling and I have never been to Tsavo(although I have seen elephants before). Dilemma dilemma. Let me take a sip of my V&L. Maybe I will find a solution.

The Creation story: The Legend of Kintu by The Baganda from Uganda

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:13:52 -0400

The African Adam and Eve Story!

typicalugandan:

Long long ago, Kintu was the only person on the earth. He lived alone with his cow, which he tended lovingly. Ggulu the creator of all things lived up in heaven with his many children and other property. From time to time, Ggulu’s children would come down to earth to play. On one such occasion, Ggulu’s daughter Nambi and some of her brothers encountered Kintu who was with his cow in Buganda. Nambi was very fascinated with Kintu and she felt pity for him because he was living alone. She resolved to marry him and stay with him despite the opposition from her brothers. But because of her brothers’ pleading, she decided to return to heaven with Kintu and ask for her father’s permission for the union.

Ggulu was not pleased that his daughter wanted to get married to a human being and live with him on the earth. But Nambi pleaded with her father until she persuaded him to bless the union. After Ggulu decided to allow the marriage to proceed, he advised Kintu and Nambi to leave heaven secretly. He advised them to pack lightly and that on no condition were they to return to heaven even if they forgot anything. This admonition was so that Walumbe, one of Nambi’s brothers should not find out about the marriage until they had left, otherwise he would insist on going with them and bring them misery ( walumbe means that which causes sickness and death). Kintu was very pleased to have been given a wife and together they followed Ggulu’s instructions. Among the few things that Nambi packed, was her chicken. They set out for earth early the next morning.

Read More