Zed Independence

So I had a fun time at the Zambian Independence party in Baltimore. I almost didn't go, but my little buddy made me...and it was a much needed night out:-)

So I am not one to criticize (lol...) but as usual, we started on African time 10pm instead of 7pm. Then, we went into major prayer mode (seriously, I have no issues with prayer, but if I wanted to pray, I know where the church is, I don't need an evening of food and dance turned into a church). Then after the many prayers and religious songs, the speeches started and went on for another eternity. Then someone made a PowerPoint presentation on historical Zambia. So it was a great idea at first. It described a little of the migration of peoples that settled in Africa... then spoke about the British leaving Zambia...then Zambia was Independent.

Ok so the dude should have stopped there, but he goes on to talk about Kaunda's one party state thereafter, Chiluba's embezzlement (or whatever it was), captain solo's incident, Mwanawasa and Banda...I mean are you serious???? How that anything to do with the beautiful idea of independence? It just messed it up!!! It felt like it was a political presentation instead of just a "yay Zambia's independent!" thing.

Oh then the MC???? OMG!!! What rock did he emerge from? He was not funny!!! Jeez Louise! I found him to be crass...

Other than that...my week has been up and down...my job is kinda sucky at the moment and many people have quit. I am not getting a good feeling about it. Five people have gone...and instead of hiring replacement, we are interviewing agency staff...then the manager wasn't replaced either...they are using someone from a sister facility. Almost like a merger. That tells me something fishy is going on...like they may be closing down or something! So if you know someone hiring...I'm your gurl! hola!!

Oh and...wow! senior moment! forgot what I had to say! any how...goood night

Zambia oye!

So what's with the fuel shortage, electricity scarcity and water scarcity in Zambia????!!! Why wont people protest that mess? I mean come on!!! We have kariba damn and all that, then there's indeni, I am not understanding the situation right now. *Disclaimer* i am not inciting a riot or calling anyone corrupt-- just stating the facts! Is Mugabe the president of Zambia?

On a sad note, what's with all these young Zambians dying like every other day? So sad, I appreciate each extra day I live.

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Talking about health insurance-- mine totally sucks! I got a $2500 bill from my two night hospital stay! Do I hear health care reform????
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My buddy Michael Steel(RNC) is very hurt that Obama won the Nobel Peace prize because Obama hasn't achieved much apparently. Granted there are more deserving people than Obama, that's agreed, but insinuating the Nobel panel was only passing on a political agenda and hence diminishing it's extinguished value. The thing is, they see potential in him. They also see that so far he is trying to improve dialogue with the Muslim world and encouraging him to continue. They have done it before with others!
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Oh, I am planning on writing to president Banda to see if he'll give me a diplomatic post to somewhere. Anywhere. I don't care. I heard the positions are going like hot cakes...and based on the fact that I am half from eastern province and so is he...I am guessing I can talk him into being loyal to his province-mate! I am tired of working for the man, I need a government position so I can sit on my ass and do nothing all day!
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Arrrggg....work tomorrow! Rumor has it there's a holiday tomorrow and I am not sure which it is. All I know is i don't get a day off...hello government job are you there???? It;s me Manena!

Passport Saga

I forgot to say yesterday that it's now 3 months since I sent my passport for renewal to the Zambian embassy. I had initially been told it takes three months for processing (I have the email to prove it), yet I received no receipt or anything telling me they had received my information. I only know they got it coz I fedexed it and had someone sign for it. So any way, I decided to practice patience and waited till the time had come before I called them.

Manena: I was calling to inquire when my passport will be ready and sent to me. It is now 3 months and I have heard nothing from you.
Lady at embassy: You will be getting something in the mail very soon. The prices have changed and so have the passports, so we need to send you a new form.
Manena: I sent the extra money, so can I download the new form and send that to you?
L @ E: No, we will send you the form and you can fill it and return it to us.
Manena: So in theory, nothing has been processed in the last 3 months with regards to my forms?
L@ E: That is correct. In fact, we haven't touched anything that came in after July. So now we're starting the process.
Manena (controlling her mouth obviously-- coz she's major pissed off!): So Then it will be another 3 months before I get a passport?
L @E: Yes. It will be 3 months.
Manena: So altogether it will be probably 6 months to get a passport.
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In short-- They are forcing me to find someone to bribe. When you bribe passport officials, getting a passport is less than a week... even one day. The legal route takes 6 months or more. Why? to keep bribery going I suppose.
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So I ask thee-- what good is the Zambian embassy to me? Really. When people are sick, or die, or are in jail, other Zambians from Zambian associations donate money and time. The embassy doesn't as far as I know. They can't even get me a passport, so really...what can they do for me as a Zambian? I am not being funny or anything-- maybe there's something I am missing. I seriously don't know how it can help me.
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any hoo-- on another piss Manena note, it turns out you can sue good Samaritans in California. So the story is that a paralyzed woman and her friend go out drinking on the drive back, the para. woman has a car crash and her friend (driving behind her) runs to pull her out of the wreck. In doing so, the para lady sustains injuries and sues her friend. The court says good Samaritan laws only apply if you administer medical assistance to someone. So like if the friend had put a band aid on her, that would have been ok. How crappy is that???

Elongation of Labia Minora- Zambia

I was browsing the web today and just now found out that elongation of labia minora is classified as Genital Mutilation type IV (where have I been?). So of course after my initial shock of "oh my God! I am mutilated!!!" abated... I had a few minutes to think and I have come to a conclusion on the subject. The researchers have erred.

History and Commentary:

Let me start by saying that the information contained herein will most likely upset/disconcert a lot of Zambians because we have trouble talking about our sexuality or sex in public places. Ritual/ traditional sexual matters are discussed in private among friends or at gender restricted traditional ceremonies.

The reason I feel strongly to speak on this subject is that as Zambian, we sometimes have a tendency to accept western standards as the norm, shunning our own cultures without much investigation other than the fact that it seems primitive. We often forget that when anthropologists come in from other countries to "study" us, they are not highly familiar with the language for a start, and the local people are not comfortable explaining everything or have trouble translating things to English. The evidence is clear in Chisungu: A girl's initiation ceremony among the Bemba of Zambia by Audrey Richards.

Yes there are a lot of inconsistencies and traditional teaching that has been done the same way for ages that we have no idea why it's done that way other than-- it was passed on by our forefathers that way. You could say the same for many religious practices too. Unfortunately, unlike religion, our history is not written, but passes on through fables or partially true stories, through dance and song or a village elders romantic view of the past.

Traditionally, young Zambian (and other African- Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Uganda, DRC...etc) girls are taught at puberty to elongate the labia minora for the enhancement a man and woman's sexual pleasures.

I recall receiving this information from our house maid when I was 10 or 11 years old. We had just returned home from a particularly trying game of Zambian 'rounders'. She approached my cousins and I and somberly informed us that if we did not pull on our labia minora we would not get married and hence would have no children. That was enough to scare us into sitting down with her on what would become our many "bathroom" sessions.

No. I never got them to the desired/ recommended length because I grew bored and my cousins and I decided to just screw the move and never get married. As it turns out, you CAN get married without altering your labia and...oh wow! You can have kids too!!!...lol.

Defense Motion:

Mutilation or maiming is an act or physical injury that degrades the appearance or function of the (human) body, usually without causing death. So technically-- the body part is altered when you elongate the labia, but you are not altering how anything feels down there. They also say that women with elongated labia tend to have more bladder and vaginal infections than others. Probably true for others... but not for me and women that I am close to, so I can not confirm or deny that.

The thing is Mutilation has really negative connotations. To me it's the cutting of the clitoris and other female body parts in a way to keep a woman submissive and violate women's sexual rights. If we use the original definition listed above, that would be assuming that a woman getting a hysterectomy is also being mutilated... which is in fact not true because the surgery is not done negatively or that women who choose to get hoodectomies to enhance sexual pleasure or labiaplasty to make their genitals look pretty are mutilating themselves right? See be very careful with evaluations of culture done by the western world.

So because elongating the labia is for positive reasons (pleasure) should it be considered FGM surely? The only weapons used are fingers, herbal oils, mango stems (really!), or clothes pegs in serious cases. Of course as with everything, some women get abused in the process such as those sent back from their marital homes because they didn't have elongated labia, or those abused during initiations ceremonies (which I wont get into today).

I mean I just don't see see how someone who thinks lobola is the buying and selling of women while they encourage the purchase of expensive diamond rings can tell me I am mutilated.

I am the proud owner of elongated labia minora and they have not caused me any mental or physical problems.

I am Manena-- and I approve this message.

Happy Independence Zambia!!!!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Zambia and it's people a very happy independence!!!! I was going to celebrate it at the JK concert tonight, but I'll pass on that:-) I will be doing something else though!

My friend Tisi flew in from Florida this week, so I am having a heck of a time with her, and we'll be sure to paint B'more and DC red...

Before I forget, I had the chance to watch Jacob Zuma at the council of foreign affairs while he was in the USA. He seems to have a lot of backing from people in the USA who would like to see him become president.... he is also quite an eloquent speaker...and makes some funny jokes... but there is something very shifty about the guy. I think he answered all the questions on investment, hiv/aids, ANC policies...etc ... well by insisting the policy of the ANC is different from the policies of presidents and ministers etc. The only thing is-- he really did't say what the policies of the ANC are.

Any way...I am off to deny that we're in a recession by greenspanning it in some clubs or something....:-) haha

Exactry fye ifyo fine!

So McCain picked Palin...I think it's on and poppin now!

I had a great time this weekend! As usual.... friday I met up with the girls for sushi, shopping and drinks. This went on for the whole night. I didn't get into bed till midnight... then my mum called just then. Then I went to bed, and some idiot called me at 7am to play a song for me from their car....no you don't understand....I have no clue who that guy was, but I picked the phone up twice and he was like hold on...and played some stoopid song. So the third time, I let it go to voice mail, then I guess he figured out he had the wrong number... then the calls stopped. I would have cussed him out if he called again and I was ready!.

Saturday morning, I was at the mall as soon as it opened to find a dress for my friend's wedding...I know, I'm a slacker... was born that way:-) Well I went to several stores starting with my fav cheap stores... because I'm cheap:-) I went to Filenes basement and Burlington. After I had no luck at those stores...I went just about everywhere else-- nordstoms, bebe, limited, express, some shady looking store-- Then finally, Eureka!!! White house black market. I found the perfect dress and the perfect accessories.
This is how perfect it was: when my "date" (lol) came he said "wow, you look amazing". Then the neighbour (the lady I got mad at coz she asked me to turn down my music) she said "you look gorgeous!", then I got to the wedding and a million people who I don't know said I looked fantastic. I was on cloud nine thinking I was about the combination of Naomi Campbell and Oluchi!

My elation continued when we went to 13th floor belvedere...and got almost the same reaction from strangers. Any way...enough about me. I iwll post pictures when they become available. I bought a small camera to fit in my small purse, but like they say-- you get what you pay for. It was cheap for a reason. I took one lousy photo after another. So I will wait till the other's post pictures and "borrow" from there.

BTW The view of the city from the Belvedere is breath taking! it's just so amazing-- not more than me of course, but a great beauty nonetheless:-) lol

Oh and to the Zambian's, I am sure you have all received the Cynthia Kanema email by now. All I can say is...WTF??? why do people feel the need to involve other's in their spats? so what if the Folotiya dude and other's are tapping her ass? I mean get over it! If she's a ho, so are the men!!! If the lady seriously thinks about it, she will see that her husband is probably bad mouthing cynthia coz he either couldn't get any or was turned down for round 2. As much as I find those emails entertaining... it's a bit much at times.

Any hoo, I have casualties of war aches and pains from Saturday. Serves me right though, and I aint complaining:-) I feel like I experienced Bosnia and Vietnam all at once. I have to go soak my body for a while and see what happens.

Oh and guess who isn't working tomorrow??? that's right!!! me:-) I am also planning to be in Texas this week, so I am hoping Gustav, Hanna and Ike don't get in my way! So keep me in your prayers. I really want to go. They say EVERYTHING is bigger in Texas and a sista's gotta check it out for a herself! I also want to see J.R's ranch and some other texan stuff:-) G.Dubya's there at the moment-- hey, maybe we'll link up:-) What happens in Texas gets deleted from all cameras:-)...just kidding. I will be a perfect role model.

I watched "there will be blood" today and I was not amused. What the hell was that? the movie is as bad as 'monsters ball'... I was really disappointed because of the great reviews it had. Sometimes I am not sure if I am seeing the same thing as other people.

BTW...I wonder when the elections are in Zambia...I just might stand for president:-) LOLOL. Start my own party and stuff...and you my loyal readers can be nominated as anything you want except president because I said it first.

R.I.P. President Mwanawasa

Yes...this time it is true that President Levy Mwanawasa is in fact dead. You could tell this morning the international media was tentatively announcing the news seeing as last time R. Banda went off on them when they made an error! Funny though, I don't feel as emotional as I did last time, I guess because now the news isn't news any more. Dunno...

My condolences to the Mwanawasa family and to the citizens of Zambia. May we transition smoothly into whatever party takes over.

I will definately have a drink for him...and will pour some outside for our ancestors! hhhhhmmm come to think of it I think Zambia breweries will make some major money this week as will Duncan Gilbey and Matheson!

C$ and I were lamenting over Mwanawasa and were talking about how in our life times we have seen many things already... first prez of Zambia to die (and to die in office), first lady to get that far in American politics, first negro to get this far in American politics, Venus & Serena, pope dying, saddam, nine eleven, Zimbabwe's downfall, the rise of South Africa... the list goes on.

So any way...we have 7 days of national mourning.

P/s: I am generally not a fan of fox news...but I was very impressed with the coverage of the Mwanawasa story as opposed to the few lines on BBC and CNN. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,406042,00.html

Amor Fati

I watched 'Tropic thunder' this weekend because it had good reviews. Well it was funny, but not that good. I should have seen 'Step brothers' instead. I think. Well... I went to redbox to make up for my loss, and then watched some comedy thing hosted my Cedric the entertainer and We are/ were Marshalls'... hmmm. Then I went to a festival.

Oh and Baltimore's own Michael Phelps did it!!! 8 gold medals!!!

OMG!!! we also finally got news on the president of the republic of Zambia! The BBC reports his condition is "worse" but that surgery was "successful". How many weeks has it been since the last news? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7569193.stm
Talking about Zambia-- I sent in applications to renew my passport yesterday. I will be amused and keep you all updated on how long the procedure takes...and whether or not they lose the application or something. I will be impressed if the process is short and uncomplicated.

Also Musharraf finally stepped down...yippee! *short applause*
and those evil son's of ho's that killed the newly weds on their honeymoon in Antigua have been arrested.

....a show off couple in Egypt had sextuplets!!! Who can ever doubt their fertility again?

Then according to the news today Greenspan is to blame for the bad economy...wow Einstein for real??? http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/ContrarianChronicles/NowGreenspanDoesntLikeBailouts.aspx

Oh I'm zoning out-- that 70's show is on telly and I can't concentrate:-)
Oh I also need to show you a clip of Howard dean erroneously calling the Republican party the "white party'...funny stuff...

Mwanawasa is Alive

Okay I am getting tired of this post. Bloomberg.com says he is alive
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601116&sid=aKse6rwDROtE&refer=africa

and that no one called zaza works at the high commision in south africa.... if he did, i would have suggested he gets fired!

So el presidente is alive...pray for his family and Zambia.
Viva Zambia

President Mwanawasa is dead?

According to Reuters and the Sydney morning herald the President of the Republic of Zambia is officially dead. Zambia denies those claims... so not sure....
http://news.smh.com.au/world/zambian-president-mwanawasa-dead-report-20080703-3176.html
Okay, I am shaken and I actually did cry a little which is weird....okay I put myself on national mourning even though it has not been confirmed yet...I told my job I aint going in!

Do you realise we have never had a president die-- not even an ex president!!!

MHSRIP....

Pantu Mu Konkluda!

Zambians and rumours! So apparently hotlanta Zambians have a thing going around about H.E. Levy Mwanawasa being dead...well according to inside sources, I would like to dispel those rumours. He is in fact alive as I write this. Please send some positive vibes to his family for his health and all. You all know I am not his greatest fan, but he is still the president of my country, and for that purpose, I respect him and wish him well.

He is also one of the biggest voices in the southern African region saying Mugabe must go. So actually the Zimbabweans must help us pray for our leaders health!

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Can y'all believe I worked for 24 MINUTES on Tuesday? I can not! They are encouraging my lazy tendencies and really... that's not christian!

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Okay the last few nights I have been having some really weird dreams... how about on Monday, I dreamt that I was with Gwen Eiffel and another politician that I didn't recognize, and we were chilling out, and talking politics right?

Then last night, I dreamt that I was hanging with Michelle and Barak Obama, and that at one point, Barak comes back in a wheel chair...and then he starts learning to walk!

Dude...I am thinking I am one step closer to be the U.N Secretary General or something!

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Hold up....where have I been like really??? It seems they have decided that HIV actually originated from Africa because it resembles the SIV virus in some species of monkeys??? Okay, the implication here is that the Africans were either eating the monkeys or fornicating with them, caught some stuff...got on a boat and delivered the disease to the rest of the world. That doesn't explain the death of the American teen in 1969, nor that of the Norwegian sailor in 1976, because the catastrophe started in the 1980's in Africa?...they counteract that claim with the claim that the earliest case was that of a Congolese man in 1959!

Okay I know I am a scientist...but B. flippin S.!!! Y'all aint pinning this on Africa like y'all have so many other things okay?

Coz even if it was from there...why were the many first cases mostly in homosexuals??? so like are you saying Africa had like a gazzilion U.C.B's (under cover brotha's) that like got on boats and came to chaya ya kumbuyo??? na wah oh!!!

I rebuke this research in the name of my ancestors!!! Tell me another story! They claimed a similar story about the Haitians...and the poor Haitians suffered in the USA...but tell you what? we aint going down like that! Give me the money for research and I'll prove you all wrong!

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Oh and the forbes list of eligible royalty:- first of all, there is no way Prince William is hotter than prince Andrea Casiraghi or even prince Carl Phillip!, also Hell no is Princess Beatrice hotter than Princess Charlotte Casiraghi, princess Madeline or even Princess Sikhanyiso!!!

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Okay Canada is also saying The president is dead... I am tired. Let me know in the morning so I can call out from work and mourn at home!

Okay, I pray he is still alive coz I am scared of what will happen at home if he is not... Also I guess it will mean Mugabe has some really strong Juju! The kind you get in Malawi!

ONE ZAMBIA-- ONE NATION!

C'mmon!

So when Obama picked up speed some childish MoFo leaked a picture of him in traditional Somali garb hoping to incite the usual 'oh my God he's an A-rab!' response. I am ashamed of whoever did it! They should be moved to Iran and dealt with there!!!

If you're gonna hate the man, hate him for REAL reasons. Not stupid fairy tales! I have personally stated why I wouldn't say he was the best candidate for me and I attacked his thoughts on an issue of IMPORTANCE to me. It has nothing to do with experience or lack there of, his religion- or lack there of, his race- or lack there of...lol, or his gender...ain't nothing lacking there coz the dude is rather sexy! Okay, so I have a major weakness for broody intelligent men with undertones of arrogance:-) *purr* and he seems to possess those qualities:-)

Then in more sad news.... who in the world has the gall to say Hanif Adams is not Zambian??? The man has worked in the world of soccer for as long as I can remember...and if I'm not mistaken he supported the women's soccer team I was on! Who owned the team by the way?, we were so drunk half the time when we played and practiced that it never crossed my mind to find out who owned the team:-) well our coach was a bouncer at Hanif's clubs...which brings me to my other point-- Hanif has been in Zambia for as long as I can remember. His son was in my cousins classes in primary school ( I only remember coz he had a crush on her for the longest time...it was cute, and so was he-- but I digress as usual).

I also had my first experience of a night club in his club on great east road in Lusaka! Man what a night!!! I was thirteen (not that the bouncers cared!)...in my orange jeans shorts, doing my patra moves on the dance floor...I can still see it now! How the smoke and the lights in the room had me soooooo charged up...I felt like I was Patra herself!!! Queen of the dance hall:-) I did the butterfly and shook my bottie like my life depended on it! Ahhh...such happy memories...*sigh* I can remember how totally cool I was when I went to school to tell my classmates where I had gone that Saturday... I made it seem like I had done this several times of course...and was like 'you mean you haven't gone clubbing yet?'...lol.."It cut exay!"

Any way...my main point is (after all the extra info there!), that man is as Zambian as Kaunda! Making ignorant comments about his race is just un-Zambian...and those perpetrators should also be sent to Iran and be dealt with there!!! My Zambia is a colorful nation where we are accepting of everyone. I have many Zambians of Indian origin in England and in the USA who identify as Zambian and speak a local language. Once a Chipatan always a Chipatan...GOOOOOOO eastern power!!! Let's leave the ignorance in the ablution areas please! Our country's slogan--emblazoned on our passports reads: One Zambia...One Nation. Plain and simple, it doesn't differentiate.

I hope it wasn't a bemba that passed that comment. I will be greatly disappointed because it will mean s/he doesn't know his/her history! Mwitu sebanya bane!

Zambia 3- Sudan 0

Ba Zambia...nalelo ba wina chipolopolo! Ba Zambia, nalelo ba wina chipolopolo... ba Zambia iye... ba Zambia Chipolopolo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! weeyu weeyu weeyu...

Now that's what I'm talking about!!!!!!!

We have shown the Sudanese how it's done.... now lets show those tall Cameroonians the power of maheu and boom detergent paste!!!! scraba scraba fya kale!!!!! who's with me?
C'mmon cheerleaders! lets get some boostele up in here....

Lelo nachilota, gumbo waye, lelo nachilota gumbo waye, Zambia yawina ichikombe, gumbo waye. Lola a lola lola lola lola lola ...fwiku fwiku!!!

Arrival mwana wabene arrival oooo, arival mwana wa bene arival oo
Tipu topu tarino, mbekete yakatanta morale.... baibe... chola munuma, chimbi mumala, naiwe wemwine...mano ya chabe.... weeyu weeyu weeyu!!!!!

Uyu mwana si amvela, apepa dobo, si amvela, monga chiluba, si amvela....

Zedonomics

I am sure I have written about this ad nauseum, but I just have to blog about it again.

I of course make several calls to Zambia a week, and i am baffled by some on the changes that the people and the government are allowing to take place!

The loan system has had major issues in the western world as we can see at the moment. The western world has more resources and a better financial system...i.e people get paid on time! Yet loans are proving slightly problematic in the west.

In Zambia, some people don't get paid for months. You do a job this week and get paid months later! There is also no job security. You can be fired for any number of reasons without repercussion to your employer. So how can you be given a loan if you do not know when your money will come next???

Also I think it's wrong that houses can be $100 000 in a society that has majority of the population making less than a dollar a day??? I find it criminal that property should be that over inflated!!!!

If the illiteracy rate is 80% in the country, do the people really understand what the loans stipulate? what about loan insurance? do they have any and can they afford to get it? I have heard of people getting car notes!!!! Jezzusss!!!! Car notes in Zambia??? How often do the cars get repossessed? can people afford to lose their money that easily?

Does it then surprise the masses that the theft if escalating, or that there are more street kids??? Is it really surprising that the Zambian people are no longer as hospitable as they used to be and lots of households offer you nothing to eat or drink when you visit? Is it really a shock that the difference between the bourgeoisie and the proletarian societies are that vast?

To me this new society we are creating resembles the days of apartheid... move out all the poor and keep all good things for the rich. Difference is, they are not forced to live in shanty compounds with sjamboks. Over price everything so the general masses can't afford anything leaving more room for the rich to build unnecessarily huge houses and park their 5 luxury cars in the garage.

I hear the words 'progress' and 'globalization' being thrown around often in relation to Zambia. Please do not misunderstand me... I am not against progress or globalization. I am against the 'copy cat' syndrome that we are manifesting.

Globalization does not mean becoming carbon copies of the west. Neither does progress. Zambia is a society on it's own with a lot of issues that are different from the west. For this purpose, the way we do things must be Zambia friendly so to speak.

You do not have to be an economist to see the accident laying in wait for the future as far as financial crises go if this 'loan' system is allowed to progress. As usual the poor and the "middle class' (if Zambia has such a thing) will be the ones to suffer.

Just in case you think I'm speaking gibberish take time to visit the Jesuit Center for Theological Reflection http://www.jctr.org.zm/ . See how difficult times are getting for most people. After that look up how much people get paid in the country and compare you figures.

Vox populi, vox dei...that's not really so no?

I would also like to take a moment and write a little bit about the flooding in Zambia. In case some of you out there are ignorant of the issues that come from floods, I can tell you that food is scarce in those areas, most of the houses in shanty compounds and villages are built with mud and hence melt away during this period. Ablution areas flood too which means drinking water gets polluted and we can anticipate water borne diseases spreading at a fast rate. Mosquitoes thrive in these conditions, so malaria is a big issue at the moment. Take into consideration that pathogenic issues are sometimes difficult to isolate.

In addition, even though the Red cross is assisting in these issues and giving tents. The tents do not help much because the rain comes in and winds blow the tents away and the rain gets into the tents. A lot of schools are being used as shelters which of course puts a hold on education.

So to those of you that are religious, remember the folks affected by the flooding in prayer. The rest of you I suppose can send money to the Red Cross... if you care.

Namaste my friends!

amazing race: So I accidentally ended up on the CBS tonight and they were showing this 'amazing race' show. The contestants had to go to Ouagadougou and I haven never heard that much ignorance in my life! They have these 2 racist sounding blondies that on day one declare that the cab driver will rob them, then one asks her friend where they are going...and she responds "oh we're probably goigng to be sold into slavery!" then when they're on the train, they start laughing at people coming on and saying they smell... they are like "what perfume is she wearing?" and the friend goes "perfume d'afrique!" I was like what the hell????

Oh and like we don't have enuff bad news, China announced last week that it was reducing it's holdings in US assets! I just want this whole economy thing to fix itself and be done with! I guess I should cut down on reading the economist!

Any way on more positive news... I did a whole stack of laundry today, read several books this weekend, spoke on the phone for hours, finally saw shrek 3 and ratatouille ( i know right? I am so far behind in movies!) and I ate ifisashi and ichifu...and should be feeling very fat right now:-)

While we're at it, the popular mine "trucking" business in Zambia doesn't make sence to me. So supposedly, you buy a truck at $20 000 +/-, then you lease it to the mines and make any where between $11 000- $60 000 per truck per month according to sources that are currently doing the business. To me it just isn't economically sound for the company to do it that way. It seems to me they can buy a truck a month and trash it if they have that kind of disposable income!

So any way... why is it that when some zed girls date muzungu's they tend to act all stereotypical? Well I have heard it called "booggah life"! I have seen people make major transformations speaking in strange accents, dressing in strange attires, doing strange zungu like weaves (blue, purple, gold..hey!) and basically just doing stuff that's waaaayyyy out there!
I know this real life "pretty woman", and just like in the movie, she was taken from a hooker like setting in zed by this zungu diplomat-ish guy...and she pretty much gets to see these amazing places and meet these celebrity type people...but my thing is, you've been together for so many years, and what if one day he says it's over and sends you packing...what do you do then? you have no college degree, no work experience per se, most of your friends probably have moved in the last few years--I mean I feel sorry for her...

Oh and like when Hillary wins... it will make things easier to remember the American predidents, coz you can go, bush, clinton, bush, clinton, bush?...it's like a conspiracy btwn the two families! different parties my ass!

Any way, its late... I am going to admire myself in the mirror while pondering the meaning of life:-)

Happy Independence

To all my Zambian "comrades".... may you all have a swell day:-)

and if i get that 'standa singo zambia' forward again... I'm going to choke someone!

Stay blessed:-)

The Joys of understanding

I am so happy today because I finally ujnderstand something that I was having trouble grasping...and it hit me like a ton of bricks, but I feel so much better with the new knowledge. I infact feel like a new woman!

Any who... I was reading 'saving fish from drowning' by Amy Tan (let me just say, i am a big Amy Tan fan- that's pretty much where I get my information on Chinese culture...pathetic really, but I can't afford to go to China although if I did, I have several friends I can stay with for free), The book is about Burma/ Myanmar and the monks...etc, but what was eerie was that I was watching the news this week, and I saw the conflict in Myanmar on telly, and i was like OMG!!! I'm I reading the book or is this real life? it was rather strange... but you know certain conflicts never end!

In more 'blow my own horn' news- this week I witnessed clients fighting to get me... that was like a WOW moment! I mean I know I'm good at my job and shmoozing people, but that was an eye opener! I was soooo tired but they insisted they had to 'get' me and my head was so big by that point I was forcing myself to work over my limit! So ofcourse I tried my luck and asked for a raise and they shot that request down quickly because "you are already costing us too much money because you're not staff". So there goes that dream:-) I also went to negotiate a contract this week, and we did get it, but the money was bull crap! So I turned that offer down.

Lets see... what else did I have to say today... Oh that's right! I'm I the only one that feels the southern African region hasn't given Zambia the proper recognition for all it did during the "struggle" for independence? It hurts me when i read certain historic texts and there is no mention of Zambia ever having assisted most of these countries. My big disappointment is Nelson Mandela (i think he's overrated if you ask me! ddid I ssstutter?) He hardly mentions zed's help except to say he was unhappy that Kaunda believed the other party...i mean c'mmon! talk about petty! Debate me if you like, but i aint altering my decision!

So the PGA tour is in my little neighborhood! Fancy that? I might get to see Tiger Woods who knows! but ofcourse I was the last to know. My friend called to ask if I am going to the golf club down the road...dumb question really coz i don't play golf... so he quickly explains to me that that the tour is in town...and when i was driving home I finally saw what all the new signs read! 'welcome pga tour'... i was like I'll be damned! the bugger was right! I argued with him by the way because I figured the socialites would have informed me if we're to have hunky chunky golfers in Nenaland!

Oh and talk about a sheer waste of time! I was giving my friend a lecture for about 30 minutes before we figured out I was mistaken about the content of the stuff she told me in confidence! that was sooooo funny! I was ranting and raving about how she'll regret her decision and giving examples of stuff I had done...and oh boy! I was sooo far off the mark it was hillarious! She ostensibly got the gist of my explosion... as it applied to the real situation. Gosh I'm such a drama queen!

Why are there a hundred channels of nothing on cable? oH great a law and order marathon tonight and tomorrow! awesome!!! I don't even know why I watch it coz it sometimes frightens me!

Oh and this romance-in-a-book thing is really working out for me! I have a supplier now so i have 6 new romance novels to indulge in:-)

I am starved...and my wine is chilling in the fridge...so taataa! Don't forget you have 4 days to my birthday...woohooo!

Splendid Isolation!

The new week is about to start... the last just ended:-) duh!
well my new mantra is 'you are not stupid, you're strong!, you're not stupid, you're strong!' I am trying to stop being stupid about something that I really just have to be strong about...:-(
So yesterday we went to the Carroll County wine festival instead of the one in Virginia... becoz we figured Carroll county was better. I was such a glutton! I ate crab cakes, butterfly potatoes, kettle corn, FRIED cheese cake...wow! Then we walked over hills and stuff, so i figured i had burnt all the bad calories... Then we went out to our fav sushi spot... where i stuffed my mouth with sushi, then ate chocolate cheese cake!
Then we went to miss p's house to see her matches on match.com! it was sooo much fun! I was banned from laughing at people's profiles! We also found 2 people that I didn't expect would be there... one was this one guy that I used to work with who claims he's like ten years younger than he really is coz h3e wants to find someone he can have a baby with:-) The other was for me to know and for you to find out...waaahhhh!
So miss p. suggested they get me a match profile for fun, then adds..."oh by the way, one lady met someone on match.com in florida and he raped her", so i'm like so you want me to get attacked too? lol... but really, i think i only liked one prifile of the 200 or so that I saw, and aint no way in hell i'm I joining and paying $30 to meet one person... because 30 bucks is 3 or 4 bottles of wine from cranbrook liquors! lololol... I am sooo funny aren't I? No seriously, I think I'm waayy past doctor Phil:-)
I have 2 places that I need to be at next weekend and I am uncertain which to do. The life of a social butterfly is not easy I tell ya... not easy!
So we all know I'm not good at therapeutic conversation at times right? this dude walks in and starts crying because his dog died and it's his 'best friend' and they just have to cremate and sprinkle the ashes in his favorite place..by this point I burst out laughing! I had to get someone else to take over! I really don't get this strange pet love. It's a PET, not a PERSON...aarrrgghh!!
Also you've all heard about the little madison kid that went missing in portugal right? seriously, why didn't they hire a baby sitter for the few hours they were out eating tapas? or even just bring the tapas over to the room and eat them there while the kids slept? hmmm...
the other thing of concern is that G.dabya has let me down! his new "bail the losers on variable interest rate loans deal" really sucks! In a recession, what you want is people to spend money... that little idea doesn't encourage people to spend money! He could have also suggested that the mortgage companys keep rates as is... such as if your payment was $2000 a month before interest rates went up and is now $3500, let them keep you back at $2000 (or a little over)which was the rate you could afford before. That way less houses get repossessed...less damage done.

In other news... zambia has started a loan system for people buying houses. That will be interesting as an experiment. Zimbabwe here we come! Oh and zimbabweans are also now serving chopped doggie for dinner! they have officially joined Nigeria and China in that cullinary delight! splendid!

Oh and I bought myself a mills and boon/ harlequin/ silhoutte novel! I am sooo excited! I will have few hours of romance! totally awesome!

Ithaca, N.Y.

So I am back from my little trip to Ithaca...rather nice actually! The city itself is nice and small...population 30 000 or so, and apparently-- well according to out guide, Ithaca has many wonderful wineries and Cornell pretty much owns most of Ithaca. Our guide was a really nice young man who is getting married in 2 weeks. He is sooo lucky my brother was with me coz i would have made him forget her for me...lolol, that's a joke people...really I'm not in the habit of man snatching, i have my own market..okay?

Any way, we ended up going by train then bus. We went to New York City first (Finally), but i didn't take any pictures there because we had bags, and we weere walking very fast and it was hot...but I think the parts we visited reminded me of London.
We also went through Delaware (which by the way has a big Barclays bank...exciting!), then we went through Philly and New Jersey...and it was pretty cool coz the train goes through town, so you get to see a lot more. There were more boarded up houses than i imagined there to be... but i also saw beautiful houses on the path.

I also think I have an annoyingly friendly face... i just had all these weirdos wanting to chit-chat with me and offering me things...hmmm, okay so i took to the magazines...and the candy bar (which i threw out because i am paranoid about eating things from strangers even if they are wrapped).
The road to Ithaca though is rather green I must say. It reminded me somewhat of Zambia...not sure how to explain it, but it was quite nostalgic.

Oh and my brother supposedly lives 15 minutes from the University, but it's uphill...and I have not exercised in ages. We met an old foreign white man (ithaca is full of foreigners!) and it was so funny because we told him we were looking for the Law school and he goes... "oh you're criminals, it's on the left..." we laughed so hard! His English was quite bad coz he sent us in the wrong direction...so did the otherr loser we asked for direction. So at some point, I stood at the intersection of some roads that I can't remember and declared I wasn't walking any more and I was calling cab!

I saw many people crying at the station on my return. As i was almost approaching home a lady got on the bus crying while 8 of her family members stood bawling on the platform...I too burst into tears! You would have cried too! She had about 5 kids an older woman and two men standing there and they were in tears... and I just got an Oprah moment and cried!

Well maybe i was crying coz i knew I would be lonely at home now that my bro's gone. It's so funny how we quickly get used to people being around us. The neighbors definately knew that I had guests over... I was more friendly towards them than usual :)
Well we're back to the real world now. Things will somewhat be back to normal.

aahh...?

I found this nice video on Mwabi's page and 'borrowed' it for my own. I am one of those who has given up on trying to understand what the rules of "football" are. Many have tried to teach me and many have given up...:-) indeed I am that dense when it comes to football. You can read back to all my previous posts about the game if interested.
Another fun video is:-


It fits in splendidly with the news on the BBC ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6267754.stm ) about strained relations between Zambian mine workers and Chinese investors. I guess we're back to the WENELA days! If you're from the southern African region and have no clue what Wenela is...shame on you!
I am in the process of reading Animal Farm again. Yes. I am one of those annoying people that can watch the same movie and read the same book over and over again. I feel like books and movies have a different meaning if you read and watch them at different stages of your life. it's pretty cool. It's been 10 years since I last read Animal Farm, but I still enjoy it. George Orwell...aka Eric Blair was a fun writter.