LLM Class of 2008!

It's been quite a week!

I have but one regret. I had the opportunity to help someone before things went astray and I didn't for several reasons. I know I made the right choice to wait--but I am still not happy that things went this way. At the same time, I probably wouldn't do it differently next time. I don't know...ethical choices always leave me confused.

Last week all I did was eat! There was plenty of free food at work, but my worst day was Friday. I went out for breakfast with a friend--then out for lunch with other friends---then out for dinner (Hibachi grill) with an entirely different group!!! The scientists are right when they say friends can make you fat!!! The Chinese dude at the Hibachi grill was hilarious! He turns to one of the guys in our groups who was there with his girlfriend and says--"hey I know you! You were here last Friday with a cute blond girl...but the one you have tonight is cuter...can I have her number?" we were all rolling on the ground at that!

Oh and my cholesterol is high....not very...but the good news is both my HDL and LDL are high, so things balance out. I aint cutting out the bacon yet:-) I told my doctor I would be making false promises if i said I would...she said I am very honest, and we moved on. One person you should never lie to is your doctor. Trust me on that one.

So my baby brother graduated yesterday from his master of laws program...and i had the pleasure to let the person sitting behind me know that he just turned 22 a little over a month ago! I am soooo proudy-woudy:-)

I opted to drive there...yeah...and yes I did speed I confess. I wont say how long it took me to get there...but all I can say is--I AM THE WOMAN BABY!!! I just totally ROCK!!! lol.

I think I really like Ithaca. It may be because it's in the bushes deep deyole...but it's certainly a quaint little town. My brother lives down town right around a lot of prime eating places...and I ate a LARGE steak....it was off the hook!

During the celebration I cried twice I think....I'm probably hormonal...but too many things factored in and I couldn't help it:-) for one thing...my BABY brother who's poopie nappies I changed was graduating. Then for another--the faculty member that gave the speech almost broke down several times when he spoke of the harsh times of being a lawyer. He was right in stating that you're holding someones life in your hands...and you have to make your best effort at helping them. Then finally one of the girls graduating was black and blind...she used her guide dog to help her walk across the stage and everyone gave her standing ovation. It still brings me tears to write that. That is what you call determination in the face of tribulation!

I also met Cornell's favorite Zambian--Professor Ndulo

The organizers did a great job with the ceremony and the reception. They had tables and tables of Hors d'oeuvre, champagne over flowing, and all types of desserts. I don't have to tell you what I was drinking:-)
My brother gave me my first guitar!!! I am soooo excited...I took it on a test drive and sang a few songs...and we're really bonding. i could be the next Janis Jolin/ Tracy Chapman/ Ani Defranco or whatever.

I had a horrible drive home because it was raining heavily and dark...and just yucky!

I am preparing for the arrival of C$ and her munchkin... it will be a major blast! I am on a mini vay cay from work and loving it!

Also if my sister hurries up and has a baby, I may go to London soon! wait let me call and find out of the baby is here because we are TIRED of waiting!...ummm nope...no baby yet!

Any way....my next post will be about Burma.

I.O.U.S.A

So I finally went to the film festival and saw I.O.U.S.A.... all I can say is, we probably need to start stocking up on canned and dry food:-) The economic situation in the USA is in the crappers!

It was quite frightening to watch. It's like we were seeing a train about to crash and not knowing how we were going to stop it....

Say what you will about Ron Paul being psycho and all... but the dude really has some great ideas and I really wish he had made it further than he did. He is in the film asking Greenspan some really heavy questions which the dude has no answers to. This is like in 2000... so it's not even like he's campaigning. I think he genuinely cares about the country. I like the big sign on Ron Paul's desk in the film which reads something like 'don't steal-- the government hates competition'...I laughed so hard when I saw that! Greenspan is a mess though... I said he was... and this just confirmed it!

Also... with a debt that high... shouldn't we start recovering money somewhere...i.e get out of Iraq a.s.a.p? Let them do the cleaning themselves... we need the money here and now. It sucks that just about everything is out sourced because it's cheaper that way. Some factory workers in China make $10 a day.... which American would accept that? Where would they live even if they wanted the $10 a day?

Cost of living is ridiculous here because people think they can afford more than they can since they live off credit!...The country and the people are living off credit...how dangerous is that? ask the IMF and it's SAP's!

Oh and baby daddy numero uno-- Warren Buffet was in the film too and he gives some very good information on the economy too:-) I guess that means he wont be buying me that metallic gray Mercedes with pimped out tires I asked for!

Any way...I am doing several things at once and can not concentrate...so i fear I may not sound too eloquent tonight:-) So I wish to recommend the film to anyone that has interest in the economic structure of the U.S and the world... it has an interesting piece on economic war fare...

Will try to talk more about the film at a later stage ... if I remember:-)

Nicholas

At that time, gas was considered too high at $2 a gallon. John Kerry was running for president, the national debt was only $7 trillion or so, Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden were still on the run and we were awaiting the birth of my niece.

We were also just getting acquainted with the names of cities in Iraq and Afghanistan-- Basra, Mosul, Nineveh, Kandahar...exotic and far off. Very far off.

I was naive enough to think I would never be affected by the Iraq invasion though I evaluated people based on what their views were about Iraq and the 2001 catastrophe.

Before that point, I had met an interesting man with diverse interests and was having a great time getting to know more about him. His understanding or the world was similar to my own, and he was mature beyond his age! In my admiration for him, I found myself wanting to know more about what he knew and what he thought on many subjects. He was a likable sort of fellow.

His name was Nicholas (Nick) Berg. It still invokes sadness within me to write that name. The situation is something I will never understand in this life time no matter what equations I try to use. I suppose that's what makes it harder to close that chapter.

He had been to Iraq before on business and was back in one piece...but strangely enough when he said he was going back...I got the feeling he wasn't coming back. Even though I knew I am rarely wrong when I get those feelings, I went into denial when I heard he was missing.

He couldn't be missing. He had just sent an email a few days prior, and had stated that he would be home in a few days. He probably had to use another route or something! So I waited on good news.

The positive flickers of flames were quickly extinguished one afternoon when I walked into the house turned the T.V and computer on--I simultaneously found an email from his father and saw the news on the television. I cried for a very good while. I think that was when I developed a semi hatred for the media and the Internet. I have never and will never see those ghastly videos online.

And this is how the invasion in Iraq made it into my life. Fast and furious.

Up to now, I catch myself wondering what the point of our acquaintance was. Was I learning from him? was he learning from me? Was the lesson someone else's?

I was more sad than happy when Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (Nick's supposed murderer) was killed. It just brought more sadness to the realization that the dude's death wouldn't bring Nick back and that more people were dying and even more people were weeping.

Any way, the reason I bring this up today is that there will be a fundraiser--Bergopalooza in a few weeks http://www.nickberg.org/ . There is a scholarship in Nick's name and the details of the scholarship are on the website. If you can make it--please go out. If you can donate please send some money or something.

Insha'allah he rests in peace.

April 2nd 1978- May 2004

Bit's and bobs...

I am sure you've all heard about the guy in Austria that kidnapped his daughter and kept her in the basement of his house....had kids with her...etc. All I want to know is how her mother had no idea that people were living in the basement!!!! How did she not hear them cooking, eating, moving about, and for heavens sake--Childbirth!!!! What did she think went on in her basement for all those years? was she never curious enough to take a peek, or even to store something there? If she knew about it...I think hell will be too good a place for her!

The Maryland film festival starts this week, and I am going to see I.O.U.S.A... it's a documentary about America's national debt. It should be rather interesting I think.

Also, in my attempt to be a little more open minded-- I am trying to see Story of women. I think it will have a bit of a 'Vera Drake' feel...so I am still debating that thought.

Sadly I wont be able to but would have loved to see 'Bamako' and 'Today the hawk takes one chick'.... because of a prior engagement.

Bamako (named after the capital city of Mali), is a sort of documentary/film in which the actors, pretend to have a trial against the IMF/ World Bank for crimes against "third world" nations. It is surprisingly produced (but not written) by Danny Glover and Elia Suleiman.

Today the hawk takes one chick:- Documentary following the lives of 3 Swazi women, who have taken on the responsibility to care for their orphaned grand-children. It's the story of most of a lot of grandmother's in the Southern region of Africa.

Other documentaries/ films of note that I may see are:-

Betrayal:- about the upheaval in Laos post the Vietnamese war

La Americana:- about an illegal immigrant who works to make money to help her daughter who is very sick in Bolivia. (I think we'll need lots of tissue for this one!)

The listening project:- This seems like a fun documentary--they have people go all over the world asking people what they think about America and stuff.

Over all I think the Maryland film festival easily beats the D.C. film festival! Baltimore ROCKS!!! I don't care what people say!!!

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In following with my little comments about the U.N last week...I saw something in the Economist magazine about the new Human rights council-- http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11090832 okay, as I see it, every country has human rights violations of one kind or another. So I do not understand what criteria they use in allowing countries to be members or not. If every country has a violation--there shouldn't be any members in the council innit???

Surely, can America (with it's history of Guantanamo, Vieques, Amadou Diallo (you get the picture) judge China?

Can Israel judge Palestine?

Human rights can not be standardized for all countries and they shouldn't be...that's a fact.

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Madonna has a new AIDS documentary out...and I was chuffed that she had carried her baby the Zambian way in the little clip I saw.

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My future husband Warren Buffet has been in the news this week-- he says that the recession may be worse than we think... then he went on to buy Wrigley's!!! Instead of buying me that Mercedes I want!

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I am watching 'God grew tired of us' the Sudanese documentary-- it is really funny if you have a funny bone in your body! But it is also quite heart wrenching. Especially when he is explaining how he thinks that God grew tired of them and that's why he wants to Finnish them off. I will talk more on the subject later

Nena's fritters

Because I am just multi talented...I decided to make fritters today. When I was younger I used to like buying fritters from the road side even though I was banned from eating them because the vendors weren't the cleanest lost in the city. I quickly discovered the best fritters were made by 'amake tepa' with yeast...and oh my God they were only K500.... not you know I would buy them and smuggle them into my room and pretend I was not "hungry" that day!

So any way, I went to visit a Zambian sister and we were reminiscing about the good old days...and i suddenly got a craving...and you know when i get cravings that I really gotsa eat what I crave! I swear I must have been Cleopatra in my past life! or even queen Elizabeth...I can feel royalty in my blood even though my family states there's no such thing!

If you're feeling ambitious, write me for the recipe and i'll gladly share it for a nominal fee of a fogo dinner:-) lol...just kidding!

Any way, interesting questions of the day on the BBC website today is 'Who is to blame for the stalemate in Darfur?' the easy answer would be--the people of Sudan--but they have no resources to help them fight the militia and the government. It would be awesome if they did, because they could simply do it the African way and have a coup d'etat!!! I just purchased 'God grew tired of us' which is similar to lost boys of Sudan, but I hear it's even better. My initial plan in life was to be the secretary general of the united nations...but with failures to accomplish much in certain countries, I am beginning to doubt the efficacy of the organization! I mean...I could be their 'turn around kid' and just amaze everyone with my talent at conflict management and stuff:-) LOL... but seriously...Darfur is our badge of shame as an International community!

Oh and you may have noticed that I didn't mention anything about the pope right?, that's coz he I decided he wasn't too recession friendly by paying us a visit on a wednesday/ thursday. Well I have some really beautiful pictures taken of him by someone at the IMF... they are really cool. I figured I have seen one pope in my life time JP2...and It wont make me more holy to see another one...so I didn't go. There are people complaining about him from his shoe color, to the fact that mass was in spanish also, and that he met with a few victims of sexual abuse!!! You know people talk too much sometimes! (okay me too). They called it a publicity stunt that he did... what the hell though??? if he didn't acknowledge them... it would have been another woe is us pity party with people complaining that he should have met with them! aarrghh...! You can not please people I tell you!

Right....I am off to unwind with my Youssou N'dour CD.... he makes me sooo happy. I haven't a clue what he sings...even when he does songs in English...but I really like his voice and instruments. Talking of great voices....why is Oliver Mtukudzi being elusive with his dates for the 2008 USA tour???

Sun follows rain...

...joy follows pain

AAAAHHHHHH!!!! The weather is really sucky today! The worst part is, I do not have a good movie to see or a good book to read. Also, as if i wasn't suffering enough, I seem to have lost part two of my pride and prejudice dvd...ummm I wonder who 'stoled' it!

It's raining cats and dogs...and that's really pathetic considering yesterday it was so nice and warm and I got to do some fun things. Well at first, I was supposed to go hiking with some friends to some place called 'old rag' or whatever in Virginia. They were supposing it would take about 4 hours to walk the trail...and Manena wasn't feeling that on a nice warm day. Okay I plan on doing a hike at some point with them... but yesterday wasn't the day. In the next fort night or so, they plan on doing Harpers Ferry, so I will most likely do that instead. We'll see where the wind blows.

I was supposed to go dancing yesterday, but I guess I was tired because I sat to watch an Indian movie, then before I knew it I was asleep...! OMG!!!! I have become a grandmother!!! I didn't even do my wine!

Also, I'm I the only one beginning to see a conspiracy with the Obama, Clinton, McCain thing? This is what I mean:- If the democrats keep clawing at each other, they will indirectly help the republicans when it's time for the big guns to come out. If they really cared about their party winning, wouldn't the super delegates step up now and say "someone has got to go?" They need to sit both of the candidates down and tell them who needs to step aside and why. Their little fight is taking away from the main election where everything will count. Frankly, just as McCain is sort of campaigning at the moment, they too should have already started the main campaign and not this nit picking session. What is that's the idea? to make McCain win?, then when he's done he'll help Clinton win? Hmmmm??? what if?

I really don't care who wins...it doesn't matter to me, but I am certainly tired of listening to Hillary and Barak fight. And I am tired of hearing "experts" change their stance on candidates on a daily basis.

Moving on...why is it that most people in this country prefer to be confronted before they do what they are supposed to do right? The other day, my eye was inflamed, so i picked an eye doctors name out of hat, made an appointment and went by to see him

This was what happened after I was placed in the room.

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Doctor arrives 40 minutes after I was in the room. Does not look at me, and does not even acknowledge that I am in there for a few minutes then:

Silly Doc:- You have a problem with the left eye?

Manena:- Yes sir

Silly Doc:- how long have you noticed it?

Manena:- since the night before

Silly Doc:- Okay let me take a look

(prods eye, shines light in eye, lifts Manena's head up, turns her head...etc)

Silly Doc (while reaching for a bottle):- Right. I am going to put a drop in your eye.

Manena (getting out of chair):- Ummm...no sir.

Silly Doc:- why?

Manena:- well because I do not know you. You didn't tell me your name, you didn't ask for my name and you have not said what the drops are that you will put in my eyes, nor have you told me what the drops do.

Silly Doc (pointing at his stupid lab coat):- I am the doctor!

Manena:- well you didn't tell me that and you didn't greet me. For all I know, you could be the janitor dressed in the doctors lab coat ready to drop some anthrax in my eye! This place is very busy and there are too many people walking around. You don't even have an I.D badge on.

Silly Doc:- I am doctor silly doc, and you really need to have your eye taken care of

Manena:- I understand that, and I will only stay because I have taken the afternoon off work to take care of this. But I am not happy and this is not a free visit.

++++++++after care of eyes, I made sure to let the office manager know that were I to alert JACHO of this man's foolish behaviour it would be a big deal. I also let them know that for my follow up appointment on Saturday, I was expecting better service. So any way, I went back on Saturday...and this was my visit.

Silly Doc:- Hello Manena, how are you?

Manena (on the defensive of course):- good.

Silly Doc:- is you eye doing any better?

Manena:- yes it is

Silly Doc:- Oh that's really great news! Let me take a look...etc oh and just wait a little so I can direct you out of the building.

+++++++The man was a different person with a better tone and demeanor. I believe it's because I went all spaz on him...or maybe he finally got some that night...I don't know, but why did it have to come to this? why don't people just do what they are supposed to before they are told off? It's like they like to see how far they can push your buttons before you react!

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If the power goes out because of this lightening...I am gonna be the saddest little girl in the neighborhood!

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The Washington DC international film festival starts this week. I want to see AmericanEast with Tony Shalhoub (Monk) and 'In the name of God' on Sunday. Then maybe Saturday I could see 'The pope's toilet'. Africa is ill represented by Egypt. They call them Arab world films, but so long as Egypt continues to be on the continent of Africa...I will call it an African country! I don't care how many ways y'all try to explain to me that it's Middle Eastern. What--evveer!

Also, wine in the woods is coming up on May 17th and 18th...what JOY!!!! Columbia will be alive with wine lovers from the Baltimore/ DC metro area. I will be drunk and I will be eating everything they will be selling:-)

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Talking about wine...you know how I am always having stupid dilemma's right? So for the last few weeks, I had been purchasing South African wine--new labels to me such as Indaba, Oracle, Kanu, something with a leopard on it...ect. They are great wines...don't get me wrong...and I initially was doing it to support my African brother's and sisters. Then the other day, I sat and thought about it and decided the bastido's shouldn't benefit from my dollar...then i thought again and now, I am doing it for the paupers that work the field-- you know...so they can have a job to feed little Man'dla and Sibongile with. It took a while to get to that conclusion...but it just goes to show you how much growing I have had to do. I am like so totally mature...like really!

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LOL!!! Boredom really makes you laugh at things that aren't funny! I am listening to a song by St Bernadette choir 'Ubulwele bwa AIDS' and I just burst out laughing. I mean they are seriously lameting the devastation of AIDS...but it's the way they did the lalalala part that just killed me! I am really not that heartless! Besides, I have only had 2 sips of wine and I am not "happy" yet!LOL

I like how in Zambia we can take anything and turn it either into comedy or a song! It just kills me! I remember the day my cousin and his friends turned the Peter Stuyvesant cigarette wrapper words into a song which ended with the words..."talala wemwana ba wiso li lofwa....waskokoko jammoni...palamilitary ku bus stopo!" Hilarious!!!

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I suppose you're tired of reading, so i'll stop here:-) Have a great week....ciao

I'm sor'ed

amigos! como estas?..don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me? LOL

Well pardon the silence...but I have been quite busy, and it's not over yet. I will be indisposed for the next four weeks. I will be doing a lot of city to city travel as I help a local company with it's transition. LOL...someone actually thinks I know what I'm doing--that's cool! I also have a few projects to complete...so I will be spending a lot of time on the computer, I just don't think I will have enough idle time to blog...unless of course someone pisses me off and there's no one to make me feel better (lol...I wish I could tell this story! I am dying to let it out but can't).

I should really be in bed right now...but I just don't feel sleepy. Oh and Pregaz one gave birth Friday morning to little Madeline who came in at 5am and weighed 8.5 pounds! She is so adorable! I only got to see pictures because I couldn't go to the house--I still have a cold and cough thing going...SARS??? lol...just kidding (said in my Indian accent)

The news is still the same as last week eh? Olympic torch disruptions, Zimbabwe destruction, recession discussions...ect. Nothing new there.

I was hoping American airlines would have a huge sale...um...fat chance. Any way, I am looking forward to the summer. Sexy needs to be outside doing wine tastings and other fun things that involve being outside. I am tired of the cold weather. Like totally tired.

So right now I suppose I am sor'ed (sorted--for non 'British' speakers), I hope you're all swell and peachy!

taa--