I Am Who I Am Now

The other day I watched the movie The Weatherman in which Nicholas Cage plays David Spritz a TV weatherman who thinks that his career is not fulfilling and has problems at the home front. The moral of the movie as Dave admits to himself is that one must learn to accept and be happy with his life whatever it is. However the outcome. We all have our desired lives or outcomes of our lives based on what we imagine is ideal, further based on what our parents have implanted in our minds, based on what society has defined as success and sometimes based on imaginary yardsticks that we impose on ourselves. At some point in our lives, everybody is confronted with the reality that “we are who we are” at that point in time. I want to believe that this is the “Eureka “moment from whence we can now proceed to live in peace with who we are. Some geography-biased philosophers call this moment “finding” oneself. Others more positive say that “you have found your purpose”, the reason for your being, your rasion d’être, etc. So are you still searching or have you found the reason you are here? Do you accept the canvas of your life that the Maker has painted? Are you satisfied that it is as it should be? If not, happy searching!

My Bucket List Is Full

I have taken my time to generate a wish list based on some things I want to achieve before I move on to the next world. I had a very honest “debate” with myself asking some uncomfortable questions and making unusual admissions to myself. Like the lead characters in the movies, I will strike out any item that I am able to achieve. I thank God that unlike the characters, I have no deadline. I will keep you posted on the progress.

· Impact lives of dear & near ones · Be emotional · Be my family’s best friend. · Read more · Write more · Mentor three young people · Give more · Trust more · Be happy · Be physically & mentally fit · Speak up my mind & damn the consequences · Own a motorbike · Build a retirement home in a cosmopolitan town · Bequeath my kids an education & a legacy · Start a business · Overland Cape to Cairo

Nakuru is back in the loop, once again.

A week ago, I was in the Rift Valley on duty and had a most delightful two-hour drive to Nakuru town. With the Mai-Mahiu-Lanet road construction now almost over and the road virtually opened, save for some beautifying and landscaping work going on. The road is smooth and well done, complete with an interchange (flyover) to get in and out of Naivasha Town and onwards to Mai Mahiu. One interesting thing I noticed was that the contractor is planting grass and trees on the road shoulders. This is rare and I wonder why the same is not happening on other new roads. The road was done with assistance from EU. On the northern side of Nakuru town a Chinese contractor is working on the 9 kilometre Lanet to Njoro-turnoff dual carriage. I hope they will do some landscaping and replace the giant beautiful trees that lined the road in the past.

I want to imagine that local tourists from Nairobi will now be back in this region with an abundance of sights. I will be back to sample the town and the surrounding country. Southwards from Nairobi, the Mlolongo to Machakos turn-off road is under construction and has made life for users hell. In the same direction, the Athi river to Namanga Road is also under construction and when complete Arusha will be some 3 hours away from Nairobi.

JUST A MOM?

This forward came to my inbox in the usual manner, but it caught my eye and on reading it, I thought it was brilliant and a morale booster for any mother struggling to find relevance in their work amidst all the glorification of the "working" woman. Enjoy.

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is, " explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a .?" "Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom." "We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," Said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom." Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" And great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates?" I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts " Associate Research Assistants."

Another holiday beckons if Cousin Obama wins

By end of October Kenyans will be away from work for a total of 11 days. Eight of those days are our usual weekends and the other three are official holidays in the form of Idd-ul-fitr, Moi Day and Kenyatta Day. Normally, the next holiday would be Jamhuri Day in December, but if all goes well and our Cousin Barack and the Democrats get their way in America, November will not be a “dry” month in terms of holidays. It’s obvious that Kenyans have a vested interest in the American elections and though they don’t understand the dynamics and mechanics of the American democracy, they are all rooting for “our homeboy”. In fact his win is a foregone conclusion, and should he suffer a loss, then in true African fashion, we will blame it on the incumbent for using state resources to help his party or we will blame it on witchcraft, Republican’s rigging, racism, etc Should the Gods grant our collective wish, I am sure we will earn a unofficial public holiday before the first week of November is out. Being a true Kenyan, I have given it some thought and I intend to be out in the Nairobi streets celebrating “our” victory. I further intend to take my kids out with me to be witnesses in this momentous day in world history. I want them out there because in another 50 years or so, they can regale their grandchildren with their part in what is truly a fairy tale of our lifetime. I also want them to bookmark the story of Obama in their lives and use it as an example and lesson in what they too can achieve. After the excitement has died down I will sit them down and take them through a tutorial on the tagline “yes we can” . As Kenyans, we have done all we can possibly do and its now over to Americans to do their bit in getting us this well-deserved holiday!

My Bucket List- What I want to do before I go

"The Bucket List" is a 2007 comedy-drama film starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The story follows two terminally ill men who meet in a hospital ward. One is a mechanic and the other a tycoon. They are suffering from cancer and have one year to live. They create a wish list of things to do before they “kick the bucket” . The story follows their road trip as they fulfill the wish list with a few lessons along the way. Their bucket list included:-

- Witness something truly majestic - Help a complete stranger for a common good - Laugh till I cry - Drive a Shelby Mustang - Kiss the most beautiful girl in the world - Get a tattoo - Skydiving - Visit Stonehenge - Spend a week at Louvre - See Rome - See the pyramids - Get back in touch (previously "Hunt the big cat")

According to www.43things.com, the most popular categories that people include in their must-do-before-I-die lists are related to health, money and wealth, school and education, work and career, family, friends and social life, spirituality and beliefs, creativity and self-expression and travel. The most popular specific goals include:-

1. lose weight 2. stop procrastinating 3. write a book 4. fall in love 5. be happy 6. get a tattoo 7. go on a road trip with no predetermined destination 8. drink more water 9. get married 10. travel the world

I have decided to put together my own bucket list at leisure. Having been very unfaithful to my annual attempts at new year resolutions, I want to take my time to meditate and determine what deserves to be in my list. Watch this space…..