Showing posts with label kenya. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kenya. Show all posts

Friday, February 24, 2012

My week, In sentence form.

Sorry for the lack of updates, I've been busy this week with life in general. I'll give a more substantial post later, but for now (to keep it simple) here is my life this week, in sentence form:


-Started with regular work at Lea Toto, whereby Juliet and I went many home visits in Kibera and my swahili improved, however marginally.

-Had a couple uncomfortable situations which turned into one, larger positive situation--I counted my blessings.

-Was sent on an adventure downtown to get quotations for school uniforms, which I took to be a very exciting break from filing.

-Discovered how good it is to be a woman in Canada vs. a woman in Kenya (A large generalization, but still.)

-Discovered why I so love sociology--we are individuals, yet products of our culture and society as well.

-Took the day off yesterday to figure out visa stuff, only to find that I had messed up in such a major way that it turned back into a positive thing again(Counted my blessings a second time).

-Today, my plan is to do laundry, go to the market, and find some mandazi somewhere.

-As an extension of the last point, I hope to find an appropriate way to address the mango seller at the market who, each time I walk by, tries to propose and tells me that he loves me (Last time he tried to use a custard apple as a ring, and has said 'I love you' more than any guy I've dated...is there potential here? Ha.)

-I am thankful for my roommate Irene, and am sad that she is leaving for Dubai--but am also really excited that she was scouted and got a job offer to work in Dubai!

-I realised how much in fact I would miss her when she said 'Kayla, I'm going to get a drink of milk, like a cat...would you like some?' Myself: 'No thank you'. Irene: 'Meow'.

-I have discovered a new found interest in personal finance, courtesy of Krystal Yee @ givemebackmyfivebucks.com (She is like a welcome financial slap in the face). I read her entire 480+ page blog in a week and a half.

-I am also thankful for my roommate Emmanuel, who usually helps catch all the bugs I encounter.

-A while ago I purchased 16 cupcakes from a Kenyan deal website, and the deal runs out Monday--so I have 16 cupcakes to deal with Monday night + a stomachache to contend with Tuesday morning. Help.

-For the past couple of days I have been trying to properly articulate a post on slum tourism. It is a kind of serious/argumentative topic, so I want to do it right.

-I heard from my Mom! Through a second hand source, but still. It was nice to hear from her and know she is thinking of me.

-Hakuna maji, again. Both a blessing and a curse, because while it sucks to have no water, it also provides a convenient way for me to procrastinate on doing my laundry. Whoops.



And now, for a photo I didn't take myself. These are Mandazi, and they are delicious. At only 5 cents each, they'll be the reason I : 1. Get a stomachache from eating too many, and 2: Look unrecognizably large upon my return to Canada.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Karibu Kenya

I love this place.

I got in Wednesday night and am settling in well. Thursday I got my cellphone (My number is 0713-747-358. Put 011 and 254 before it for international--if you text me or email, I can call you from here. It is so cheap.)

So far, I've just been sucking it all in...my lovely friend Joram has been showing me the Kenyan places to be so I've been busy just observing this wonderful place and eating chapati and sipping chai. I love it, and its been so nice to relax...if you know anything of the months leading up to my trip you'll know things have been anything but relaxing.

Tomorrow I head to Mombasa for my lovely rafiki Nikoles wedding! I am so excited. I got to see her today for a few minutes and what a blessing! She is Canadian but from seeing her today its like seeinga mzungu Kenyan. Hopefully by the end of 7.5 months I can be also :)

Monday, December 13, 2010

Asante Sana.

On April 28th 2009, I went to Kenya to volunteer through the Global Volunteer Network. What I found was something I am still unable to completely explain, but what I can say of the experience was that is was life changing in such a positive way. "This is Africa" is a term I heard used often, describing everything from the serious to the casual, and is the inspiration for this blog's title. Although I won't be back in Kenya for atleast a year, what I hope this blog will provide when the time comes is part update, part insight.