Year of the Rabbit?

Happy New Year Folks!! It's not too late, is it? Well, this is the year I thought would never come. I kept telling her "next year, next year", kumbe I was setting myself up. So this is the series of events that characterized the start of 2K11, the year of the Rabbit :-)

Office:

One sunny morning as I head into jobbo with my workmate, I tell him I'm headed to the cafeteria to grab breakfast. And he retorts, "Bado hujapata mtu wa kukutayarishia breakfast?" I indicate that that was the project for 2011. He, in wisdom and experience, states: If you want a resolution to stick, do it in January...

Home:

I flip open my Bible one evening, hoping to find some soul respite after a hard day's work. My eyes catch a verse I'd never noticed (despite having gone through this whole book twice before).

As a young man marries a woman,
so your children will marry your land.
As a man rejoices over his new wife,
so your God will rejoice over you.
(Isaiah 62:5)

City:

Figuring divine destiny, I decided to scout various outlets around the city that dealt with "facilities that facilitate the facility". Funny enough, I hadn't carried my wits with me at first, because I stood outside the doors and then walked away, struggling to deal with shortness of breath along with other emotional challenges.

Finally, I got the strength (a few days later) to get in and enquire on what I was looking for. The pressure now shifted to choice because of the different shapes and designs. I finally settled on one I hoped would be the right one.

Family:

On the designated day, I received a morning phone call from family abroad with an enquiry as to when the announcement would be made. Of course how this call coincided with the chosen date is beyond me. Another coincidence was my family in the country also asking me about the announcement, on the same day!! The coup de grâce was my own father calling to check up on me and as I spilled the beans on my plan for the day, he goes something like "I thought about it too a few days ago..."

Church:

Seems the entire universe was aligning itself towards/against me. The church service leader, while announcing the start of another pre-marital counseling class, asked dating women to look into the eyes of their gentlemen and ask them "It's of how?" Thank God, she hadn't arrived by then!!! Strangely enough, the preacher's final prayer mentioned something about someone delaying a lady for too long...

Execution:

It was a simple plan really. We went looking for ice-cream at Galleria, and not finding a vendor within, went to the nearby Creamy Inn. I asked her to go find a place to sit while I waited for the ice-cream and as she went outside, I stuck it deep inside her cup. Since the place was quite crowded, I asked that we take a walk back to Galleria. Long story short, she hadn't found it by the time we'd gone round so we sat in the car.

Then she said "Babe, what's this?" And then...

Magical Kenya

RURACIO

Call it Gaita or any other name, this is one of the most magical Kenyan events any local tourist should check out. I got the priviledge of attending my pal's (campus and now workmate) event. Being a cross-cultural union, the interchanges were mostly in Swahili. And boy were they well choreographed, you'd think these guys have been doing this for ages (actually they have).

After lunch, the guests are welcomed by the lady's family spokesman (let's call him Spokesman L) who asks the visitors to state their intentions. The guy's family spokesman gives thanks for the hearty meal then proceeds to state that their young man has been scouring the land and has seen "good things" in that part of the country, so has brought his kin to see for themselves.

Every exchange is coupled by hearty laughter and sniggles. Spokesman L politely informs the visitors that there are many "good things" in this land and they should identify who their young man is and which "good thing" he has seen. So the young man is called forward (he is wearing a suit - have never seen him in a suit) and points to a corner where the lady is seated. Of course Spokesman L informs him that there are many people in that direction, so he goes and picks her out and brings her to the front. Great cheers from the dude's side!!!

Spokesman L acknowledges the two and proceeds to ask the Lady if she agrees to be identified as a "good thing" which she does. More cheers from the dude's side. Then Spokesman L allows both to sit. He then proceeds to acknowledge that the lady has been identified as a "good thing", and SHOCKINGLY states that if there was nothing else on the agenda, the guests are free to leave.

Ieery silence follows. Spokesman D (for dude) interjects politely. He states that since the crowd is large and there are "children" about, a select few would want to meet with a select few inside for talks. The "selected" went inside for talks and we the "children" were left outside to continue with what it is we were continuing...

We overheard and saw sequences of singing, clapping and outdoor deliberations over certain pieces of paper then much later, crates of sodas were ferried in (something akin to white smoke) by the dude's family. Finally we had votes of thanks from both sides as to a successful event.

Nothing like a Kenyan cultural festival to whet the appetite for a local tourist. Only challenging issue was the miriad questions posed to my girlfriend as to when will people be visiting her home!!!

Heartache Medicine

Unfortunately sad season is back in my life again. And I realize that my track record in this sector is horrendous, so I'm troubled as to how exactly to go about avoiding the adverse effects. Simply put, I've come to same screeching halt which has coloured my previous escapades, and I still don't know how I ended up in the same mess as before.



Actually, should have read the warning signs. I shouldn't take anyone/thing for granted. I figure I'm not cut out for this game. But at the same time does that sound that I've given up on this type of divine design?

A check from internet research on heartache unfortunately shows a correlation with worse things i.e. chronic diseases such as headaches and heart attacks. No cure is packaged in bottle according to wikiHow.

So YKM will take a break from social scene for a while. Will he be back? I wonder...

LOVE: New Season

Hey peeps! Sorry for joining the underground movement, but it seems I've taken my life offline mainly due to work related reasons (read overload) and better still have erased the sad memories of last season to enter into a new exciting relationship with the most wonderful woman. Details will not be shared but I'm in cloud nine. For now, I'll just give you the lyrics to OUR song...


I'm calling his phone up
just to tell him how much
I really love him cause
he's everything I want

He listens to me,
cares for me
so I truly believe

God sent me an angel up from above
Who's gonna love me for life
Might as well be perfect only because
It's the only way I can describe, so

If this isn't love, tell me what it is
Cause I could be dreaming or just plain crazy
If this isn't love, tell me what it is
Cause I never felt like this baby

If this isn't love

L O V E, what is to me?
L O V E, oh, if this isn't love
L O V E, what is to me?
L O V E, oh, if this isn't love

I'm selfish cause I don't
wanna share him with no-
body not even those
people that came before me
But see, I never believed

God send me an angel...

So if you got real love
Lemme see you put your hands up
See you put your hands up
The kind of love that fits
quite like a glove
Lemme see you put your hands up
See you put your hands up
If this isn't love

Cause I know I ain't crazy
I know I ain't tripping
I know I ain't slipping
I know that it's love

You see me with my hands up
If you think I'm dreaming
I know I ain't dreaming
Cause this is the reason I love him because

If this isn't love...



Song: If This Isn't Love
Songwriters: Brian Seals; Terry Thomas; Theron Thomas;
Singer: Jennifer Hudson

PS:Any trained body emerges above a wonder.

Last episode: Ditched not Hitched

I struggled a bit with this, but here goes. For all of you who diligently followed the social series of my life from Smitten, Saying it like it is, Getting Noticed, Soap Files - Updated and the previous post, I'm afraid the last episode has gone according to what we least expected and feared most, NOT a happy ending.



Guess it's true what they say about two birds in a bush. When they fly away, it's as if you had nothing in the first place. No reasons were given, simply put: "A lot of thought has been put in this past week, and I think we should just be friends". Of course we'd prepared for this statement, having patiently waited 15 months, so we said what naturally comes to mind "Sawa". Unfortunately the attachment developed during this period isn't that easy to get rid off, so I'm at pains, the sharp splinters of my broken heart a daily source of emotional trauma.

Well, what next? We'll go undercover for a few months off the dating scene, till it's safe to bring out this patched up heart. Hopefully, the sun will still shine again :-(

The soap files - updated

An update since the last full episode:

The Returning
She's back. She said she would. Of course I didn't believe. Some eighteen months ago, our friendship had started blossoming. She went away to do her Masters and as she was leaving, I asked whether I can delete her number (goodbye forever). She was like, no I'll come back for you. The nice guy that I am kept in touch, the occasional phonecall (duly footed by the company postpaid line). Last week, my phone rings, I see her Kenyan number, and she's malizad masomo. She'll holla sometime next week we hook up. What to do?

The Foreign Invasion
We sat next to each other on the flight from Zurich to Dubai. I ignored her, she had small talk with the other lady along the centre isle. Later when the drinks arrived, we started talking. And we couldn't stop, till a couple of hours later when we both fell asleep. One of those "connection" experiences they talk about. We even went for a coffee date in Dubai airport. An Aussie of Italian descent, she was quite knowledgeable on Kenya having friends in Kericho! Lowest point was when it came to revealing our ages, the look on her face showed it when it was evident that I'm much younger than her. Still we keep in touch via mail.

The X-factor
Version 2.0 called the week after the Swiss affair. Wanted to see me pronto! I'm like, niko kazini (after 6 pm). She still shows up, so had to shut down and go for drinks. After small talk, punctuated with long periods of silence, I'm asked why I don't keep in touch. I try answer logically, eeeh we ni ex, kuna vile sisi si mabeshte. Conversation degenerates into tense exchange. I still had to endure long period of silence as I drove her home. Surprisingly, she invites me in! I humbly decline and scatter. I write on her FB wall on her birthday, no communication since.

The Undergrad
We hang out jana. She turns 21 this weekend (her jamaa is also 21). I like her, and will stay friends with her, even though she'll definately pose a threat for the rest of the compe. After all, she knows how to make me laugh, is real + down to earth about everything, and we always have a great time when we hang out. Sadly, she affected the way I related with her elder sis, who was my classmate in primo, and was the reason I got to know her.

The Smitter
We are just friends, 10 months after here. Better friends but sijui niseme...

They see me rolling... Season II

An update since Season I:

1. In our zeal at enjoying the company fleet for our own pleasures, one of my colleagues went on an upcountry (really far) road trip without telling the boss. Twas the same weekend unfortunately that mkubwa got vehicle monitoring software installed on his PC and tried it out. We all got banned from using the cars except on company business. Back to square one!

2. I had my first serious accident early last month. Was driving back from Matuu (ndalas) to office around 8 p.m. Decided to overlap coz of a slow truck holding up traffic, only to find a car turning right, into a junction I hadn't noticed in Thika. Braked and skidded but still hit her (it was a lady) door and crossed with the side mirror. Graciously, no one was hurt. Ended up footing for the repairs undercover, didn't want to involve boss (had already gotten into trouble before over the cars, when a dent appeared and no one took responsibility).
Lesson: Don't overlap, just don't.

3. Finally got my first own ride following a nice deal that came by which I was compelled to take up. Had to sell most of my prime shares come everything, but hey, isn't it why we buy shares? The effect:

- At just the same time, my neighbour who had a Starlet, upgrades to a Corona, while the other neighbour unleashes an Xtrail and 4X4. Seems I'm still a very small rat in a big race...
- Workmates now consider me a hero. Eish, it's just a car.
- Fly neighbour invites me for sister's wedding, then gets me to carry her fly friends to reception and insists that I show up for dinner usiku. Food, Alvaro and dancing, my social status is on the up.
- Fuel is expensive, adjusting from busfare to ngata is a big leap. New hobby is being on the look out for sub 98 bob petrol stations.
- Despite 4 years of power mechanics in high school, the mechanic makes you feel like a bumbling fool.
- The convenience is too mzuri, unfortunately it comes with responsibilities i.e. errands and favours for family and friends.

Hope season III has better things in the offing. Enjoy the next 4 months bila public holiday :-(

Saying it like it is

After taking into account the advice of mafans, I told her how I felt jana evening.

Now we wait...

Point to reflect:
As I fikad digs that evening, I noticed the moon has a big grin...

Smitten

It's been quite a LONG while since I felt like this in my left side of my chest. And since this feeling isn't going away, I've had to disclose the condition to my close circle with a view of getting their thoughts on what I should do about it.

We met last year at the Village Market bowling alley, taking part in a CSR event. For both of us, it was our first time to attempt the sport. But since I've watched too much tv from childhood, it was easier for me to catch the ropes and then show her from very close proximity on how it's done.

This year, we worked on the same CSR project and that meant a lot of time together particularly in the last 3 months when the project needed the most attention. Of course this brought opportunity to know each other better since conversation drifts from the project to work, life and personal opinions.

And then the feeling started...

Sikuli, silali etc etc

Consultations are currently on going with the advisory circle in my life as to how you tell someone that you are attracted to them and you want them to become more than just a colleague in a CSR project. My pals say I should just say it (whatever comes out) ASAP and get it over and done with. I ask how (never good at this thing) and then what? But can't win the lottery unless I buy a ticket ama?

Random thoughts

If I went ALL the way to Kisumu City,
Up to the shores of Lake Victoria,
To gaze at the beauty of the sunset,
That reminded me of you

And happened to see in the vicinity,
A bunch of hyacinth for your aquaria,
So fresh and green and wet,
I picked them just for you
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
What would you say to me?

They see me rolling...

It's been three weeks since I've had the priveledge of enjoying company resources i.e. mobility. And it was only by a stroke of luck that some jamaa was moved to our dept and since he had a ride from there, took one of our new rides and so I ended up hopping between some of the vehicles in the fleet.

Reactions:

1. The watchmen
At digs, they stopped calling me 'ndugu', they call me 'bwana mkubwa'. Sad to say but they now expect bigger handouts from me, which is a surprise coz I wasn't giving out any when I was javing.

2. The big sister
Now with smaller car, she's resorted to using me as the full time errand boy. I've done everything from chauffering her daughter, drycleaning, meat etc. Is this love, is this love that I'm feeling?

3. The relaz
They are in awe. I'm trying to tell them, "Hii ni gari ya kampuni!" But it doesn't count in their books, all they know is that I've hit the big league.

4. The honeyz
a. Fly chic leaving estate in the morning:
Me: (Stopping the car a few metres after passing her) Where are you headed?
Her: Kenyatta (which is totally in the opposite direction from where I'm headed)
Me: (After a few seconds of logic vs emotional war) Hop in.
Turns out she's a pal of a pal. Which should make us?

b. Other fly chic neighbour
We got to know each other due to javving together, then she bought her own ride and I was reduced to nothing. Now she recognizes the brother, which is good for temporary ego boosting.

c. The occasional hook ups
People have to be dropped home after coffee. Which is sawa in terms of knowing where they actually live. But maybe expectations are becoming too high?

5. My mind
After what happened to Odegle a while ago, it is now a constant that my level of worrying has gone up a notch higher. When you are parked in town or church and your mind starts thinking 'Did I lock the car?' 'Has it been stolen/towed/vandalized/crashed into?', then for certain, I'm not at peace with this nice thing I have been entrusted with. I wonder whether all car owners/drivers feel the same way at the beginning?

All in all, it makes moving around a whole lot easier, so I'll be thankful and enjoy the ride while it lasts.



Point of concern:
A pal's dad, a workmate and a pal's new born kid have passed away in the last couple of weeks. It been difficult dealing with it. Appreciate life, won't you?