tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-260630632024-03-23T10:47:03.979-07:00ManenaI am who I am...Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.comBlogger404125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-81494000271702446672012-04-01T12:09:00.003-07:002012-04-01T12:10:54.787-07:00Perfectly Imperfect <br />
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Why
is it that in a world where we're all imperfect...we expect people
coming into the world to be perfect? There's a recent case that kinda
got me heated...<a href="http://business.financialpost.com/2012/02/03/couple-sue-doctor-in-wrongful-life-lawsuit/" target="_blank">Like this one</a> or <a href="http://www.mafamily.org/abortion/woman-wins-%E2%80%9Cwrongful-life%E2%80%9D-lawsuit-against-medical-staff/844/" target="_blank">My favorite</a>
. Don't get me wrong. When doctors screw up they really should get
sued. I also acknowledge that taking care of a child with disabilities
is really hard (mentally, physically, emotionally...etc depending on
what kind of a disability the person has) and I do not judge those that
chose to terminate a pregnancy based on their various reasons. I also
can not judge those that chose to sue because they were never given any
choices by their doctors.<br />
<br />
All I can say to those
contemplating aborting a child because they have an imperfection is
that-- what if you have a "perfect" child and that child catches a
disease that renders them disabled...what will your choice be then? Just
a thought.<br />
<br />
I have a friend who before her 30th
birthday had her first baby-- born unexpectedly with Trisomy 18. The
doctors had stated multiple times that everything was okay with the
baby. Baby A.R was born at 3lbs after a C-sections...and the parents in
the confusing haze that comes when one has just given birth were
informed that their baby was very ill and would probably die shortly.
Hospice was the only option. They took it all in stride. The baby was
supposed to stop breathing any minute now. They took baby A.R home,
where she slept on her mother's chest each night. A mother who hardly
ever slept for fear of finding her baby gone from this world unnoticed.<br />
<br />
Through
her parents hard work, AR was kept alive. They knew she needed heart
surgery--but doctors were resistant. She needed to gain weight before
they could do anything, and, she was probably not going to make it off
the ventilator when surgery was done. Her parents worked diligently to
get her to the right weight, sometimes feeding her every 5 minutes. She
finally made it for her heart surgery and was found to have liver
cancer. That too had the doctor's troubled with surgery, but still
little AR's strong will pulled her through.<br />
<br />
She is
almost two years old-- a breath of fresh air who loves Elmo, laughs when
she's thrown in the air, loves to chew on chicken bones, practices
keeping her head up on her own and can stand independently for 2
seconds. She enjoys basking in the sun too...boy does she ever! Her face
is so peaceful when she is in relaxation...like everything is just
splendid in the world. I especially love how she looks at her mother. <br />
<br />
<br />
When I think of the road blocks AR's parents have faced with
dealing with medical professionals, I wonder at how people that are less
read (they both have Ph.D's in chemistry) and do not have the resources
to fight-- or the ability to argue their case to physicians and the
ethics boards handle such a diagnosis.<br />
<br />
<br />
Trisomy 18 wasn't a diagnosis I was well versed in till AR's
birth. Many people I would assume learnt of it from the recent medical
emergency that Rick Santorum's daughter suffered. AR is almost always in
the hospital for one thing or another, but that doesn't seem to phase
her parents. They are truly amazing. <br />
<br />
<br />
My parting words are these: Nobody is created perfect. We are all perfectly imperfect.Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-72890465073560374922012-03-25T07:51:00.003-07:002012-03-25T15:34:42.633-07:00African Film Festival<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_vTk0XsgZV4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br />http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif<br />The Baltimore African film festival is taking place this weekend. The movies/ documentaries we saw yesterday were the kinds that make you cry happy and sad tears at the same time! I especially loved <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Kinshasa Symphony</span>. It's a bitter sweet story of the creation of a symphony in a Kinshasa slum. You see the background stories of the symphony members with stories from a single mother trying to make ends meet to the son of prophet Simon Kimbagu <br />It's amazing how resourceful people can be when they are keen on achieving something. The musicians made their own instruments and learnt how to sing in German...even though they couldn't speak it.<br /><br />The next film: <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Un homme qui crie</span> wasn't quite as good. Too symbolic/ poetic for my tastes. It was about a former swimming champion in Chad during the war whose son is drafted and sent to war. He subsequently dies, but fortunately for the family, his girlfriend turns up pregnant. I wont go on, because it bores me to remember. I just wasn't that into the flick.<br /><br />A cute little film on sustainability and such <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Lezare</span> (For Today)<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hnWUvac0E74" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br />Great picture quality!<br /><br />The last documentary: <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">One Way, A Tuareg Journey</span> is about the lives of a Tuareg family in Italy and their journey. The son is making the documentary and asks some interesting questions. Some Italians questioned like immigrants and others have no love for immigrants-- like any other country.<br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8Y7yNdIRnqA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />What the videos for me were very thought provoking in relation to appreciating the little that I have. I may not be rich, but I certainly have way more than a good number of people in the world. One of the quotes from the last movie that stuck with me was something like 'Looking at water doesn't reduce thirst"...powerful.Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-20342656717804445202012-03-23T14:36:00.002-07:002012-03-25T07:50:48.042-07:00Blah weekThe last two weeks have been a little on the heavy side-- but I can see a rainbow today yay!!!!!<br /><br />One of my friends-- a very bright young doctor age 31 dropped dead (apparently threw a blood clot of something like that). It was soooo sudden we were just left speechless. Terrible tragedy really. There's nothing worse than someone in your age range dropping dead...it really makes you question what's important to you and whether you're making the right choices in your life. Then again-- that really only last a few days, and you go back to making the same sucky choices you were making before-- ha!<br /><br />Talking about death...why is it that the media took about a week before they announced why George Zimmerman was claiming self defense? Dude said he was turning back to his car when he was attacked....(likely story George!)...it kind of explains why the police might have opted for the slow route to jail....makes them appear less dumb! What a sad situation.<br /><br />**********************************************************************<br />March 22nd was world water day. I hope you all took the time to appreciate the food and water that enters your mouth. I have been working diligently on research on possibilities of a water crisis in Zambia. The water crisis all over the world is something we should all be worried aboutManenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-12435382586308821112012-03-08T08:18:00.004-08:002012-03-08T09:14:44.235-08:00Happy International Women's Day!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IniBX1x55g9aF0NFv99dBLcd7dL7EsMKDZs6IjWIJFbKOWvGl_zL_c7DEOnpVYhyphenhyphenbzShOaGPONZedGrOftk-L36f-YaBOc8j7QPYL0uov3PX33udG1FC7nfHEC8rI9tu3y9N/s1600/mum+bday+108.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IniBX1x55g9aF0NFv99dBLcd7dL7EsMKDZs6IjWIJFbKOWvGl_zL_c7DEOnpVYhyphenhyphenbzShOaGPONZedGrOftk-L36f-YaBOc8j7QPYL0uov3PX33udG1FC7nfHEC8rI9tu3y9N/s320/mum+bday+108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717570066722680194" border="0" /></a><br />I know I have been AWOL for a long while...but I have officially chosen to be back today on this lovely International Women's day! I hope all the lovely ladies of the world are having a grand day today!<br /><br />I realized I needed to get back to blogging while sitting in my bed screaming numbers at a girl to win the car on 'The price is right'...isn't that just sad??? lol. I think blogging is really good for me...it made me read more, think more about stuff, offers mental therapy, pep up my self confidence (hmmm, scratch that--- my mirror does a great job!).<br /><br />So much has happened in between...I wont bother trying to catch up coz that will take all day:-) Will catch you up as i go along. Who I'm I talking to you wonder? Lawd knows! hahaha! I just come here to talk about things I like!<br /><br />So in all seriousness women: I hope you're taking good care of your health. If you haven't had a physical assessment done this year...please arrange for one to be done. If you haven't had a pap smear-- call your OB Gyn, do a random HIV test and for goodness sake LOVE YOURSELF today-- and I don't mean the other love that comes with batteries-- but if you chose to do that today that's your prerogative too...:-)Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-13367051746141745792009-11-01T14:53:00.001-08:002009-11-01T17:32:35.944-08:00Zed Independence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7SAJkp7d3jEjAbCs7v8XHOl8juv7WkQngfASqqv10pNwX-80TDjPL1cMhLRyDkUdsdoHAJYxO4qVk1lNG4oeP6WTefOe_JRh8NDCeW6NtXfkClQHrcKX3FTLhedL_V6dL8ed/s1600-h/100_6724.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7SAJkp7d3jEjAbCs7v8XHOl8juv7WkQngfASqqv10pNwX-80TDjPL1cMhLRyDkUdsdoHAJYxO4qVk1lNG4oeP6WTefOe_JRh8NDCeW6NtXfkClQHrcKX3FTLhedL_V6dL8ed/s320/100_6724.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399313055182992322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUxD8CB89c9c_sLdBo0ZfAgFVqFeRzYIm6yKndck8DUdi70X0lhrbAefGxHbcAZvmHcB-Npf7Gcoo19niot4Yczc9IO0iOAPfmkl4Ud-yrX6sOR2ecK_Q4mF4xPAHV8VlCmtA/s1600-h/100_6715.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUxD8CB89c9c_sLdBo0ZfAgFVqFeRzYIm6yKndck8DUdi70X0lhrbAefGxHbcAZvmHcB-Npf7Gcoo19niot4Yczc9IO0iOAPfmkl4Ud-yrX6sOR2ecK_Q4mF4xPAHV8VlCmtA/s320/100_6715.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399313051005550898" /></a><br />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:-)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />Oh then the MC???? OMG!!! What rock did he emerge from? He was not funny!!! Jeez Louise! I found him to be crass... <br /><br />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!!<br /><br />Oh and...wow! senior moment! forgot what I had to say! any how...goood nightManenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-3917280400805760062009-10-10T11:27:00.001-07:002009-10-11T15:15:16.309-07:00Zambia 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?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />*************************************<br />Talking about health insurance-- mine totally sucks! I got a $2500 bill from my two night hospital stay! Do I hear health care reform????<br />*****************************************<br />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!<br />*******************************************************<br />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!<br />******************************************************<br />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!Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-14816200386570518622009-10-01T16:22:00.000-07:002009-10-01T17:10:05.737-07:00It's almost my birthday!!!!You know I get impossible around my birthday...and I have no clue what the plan is, but you know what even though I don't do much that day, i am VERY content at the moment. I am just happy with my life and that I made it to 21...again! lol. (did you really think I would put my real age here?)<br />I plan on poppin a bottle of bubbly, eating a cheesecake brownie from Sweet Temptations bakery (will let you know how good it is), I will also have a special dinner, and watch a nice movie!<br />*************************************<br />I'm on the phone, so I have just lost concentration!<br />But really...how about Jon pulling the plug on jon and kate plus eight! wwaahh! /that was sooo funny!!!<br />- I am sick and tired of the incest Phillips lady!!! For real! How in the world is that news????<br />Salin Palin has a book... shoot! I need to write a memoir too:-)<br />I also think I have been watching too much Tyra,,,for real! Too much time on my hands!<br />Ohhhh... maybe I might see Michael Moore's new flick-- Capitalism: A love story.<br />I am sooooo sorry phone distraction!!!<br />ciaoManenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-67775269489627118942009-09-24T12:13:00.000-07:002009-09-24T13:25:43.990-07:00What an awesome day!I have been slightly <span style="font-style:italic;">infirmus</span> and busy and couldn't blog much, but I think it's all about to change.<br /><br />There has been so much going on from the tragedy of Castor Semenya to Health care reform. Of course y'all know where I stand on the HC debate... but I have a few things to say today.<br /><br />So any way, let me start by saying, I have had an awesome day!!! I went to the doctor and got the all clear-- then i also got news that the doctors office owes me money! Woo hoo!!! Then, an old man sang "Smile" for me because he said I had a pretty smile, then I was hit on by a random dude(u know how conceited I am!) I LOVED it!!!<br /><br />Tomorrow I head off to the DC area for the weekend...<br /><br />********************************<br />Okay HC reform. Look I think Obama's problem is that he doesn't speak dumbaleze (the language of the dumb) people that can speak dumb are those stating that HC reform will be a government take over---- well HELLO??? When the hundreds, nay thousands without health insurance leave bills in hospital emergency rooms, whose money pay's for that and how? Tax payers pay through the government! The government is already involved in health care.<br /><br />Ha! wait a minute did y'all get to hear Muammar Gaddafi's speech? LOL... that was some funny stuff!!! I couldn't believe he flew all the way to the UN meeting to basically tell them they all suck! Gosh I wish I had his job! Run a country and feel free to act like a jack ass all day!<br /><br />Then president Ahmadinejad, threw in his own "why should we care about a few dead Jews when many people were killed during that time and we don't hold long conferences about them" <br /><br />Another reason why some people need to live in China: This one dude robbed some Johns Hopkins students then during the robbery one of the students accidentally killed him... well his sister is on TV going on about... oh he was outside of the house when he was killed so the kid that did it should be punished! Umm your brother was robbing them...in China he would be killed on the spot if caught!<br /><br />Also in more legal Maryland news: Accorn is suiing the people that recorded them acting all crazy because in Maryland you can not record someone saying something without their permission! Come to think of it I think we don't do lie detectors either:-) goooooooo MD!!!Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-91520033814180303402009-06-24T19:52:00.000-07:002009-06-24T20:05:02.544-07:00:-)Hi cyber space,<br />I have been receiving your emails asking about where I am...and honestly, It's not that I'm lazy...(tee hee hee-- I can't even lie with a straight face!) Ok, I am a tad lazy this year, but also my computer still isn't working right. I have been promised a high tech one... not sure when I'll get it though so sit tight.<br /><br />I still don't have a passport....so chances of getting outta here are slim to none. Same ol' man problems... same ol' work issues... still watching reruns, and soccer.<br />Oh talking about soccer... DC United is playing Real Madrid in August...you know I'll be there with bells on!!! I was gonna say DC United will get an ass thrashing...but USA Vs Spain surprised me with a 2-0....so who knows, we might get lucky...well the team...not me:-) ha hahaha<br />Shucks...I blanked out! All thoses stories going on, crazy Kim Jong Il and his threats, crazy I-ranians, crazy abortion doctor killers, crazy museum shooters...I mean the news is just flourishing with psychos I am afraid to go outside! Add to that Air France or the heart attack pilot...dude...where in the world is safety???<br /><br />Any way...will be back soon. Please pray for my new computer...It's a sad state of affairs using this almost dead one:( I can't think straight with the screen looking all funny.Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-59937111619268367072009-05-10T18:18:00.000-07:002009-05-10T18:43:38.413-07:00RIP Windows XPSo I made my exciting come back....then something awful happened-- My computer died! It didn't work for like 2 weeks and kept freezing on windows xp. I have been patient and trying to fix it, though it hasn't been a priority because I had my work lap top, but I didn't think it was appropriate to use it for my personal entertainment:-) Yeah...sometimes I have morals!<br /><br />I am currently using the computer in "safe mode"... hopefully it will fix itself. Or maybe my boyfriend Bill Gates/ Warren Buffet might buy me a new computer. Dunno.<br /><br />Dude, I am trying to get into grad school ASAP, but can not think what to do! They all don't seem to pay more than I make now which disturbs me. I am also not getting very good reviews on the Nurse Practitioner track-- they are over used and abused...and make the same amount of money that I do. Then I thought I could go back to my international studies that I was previously doing... They don't get paid nuttin.I love that line of work though-- global studies, international relations, international health...etc. So I might just end up doing Public health or a freaking MBA. HELP!!! I can't think for real! I just can't justify the amount paid for school if I wont be paid enough when I graduate. I could probably get a scholarship though... my GPA is great. I just hate writing about myself in letters of interest.<br /><br />OMG...what is with all the bloody re-runs??? TV has bored the hell out of me today! Serves me right for being anti social and staying home on mother's day. I made a special meal-- got major heart burn and played on the computer.<br /><br />Oh and as if I didn't have enough to worry about, my car AC stopped working too. So I am looking to buy a new- used car soon too. I absolutely think it's a waste of money to buy new cars because they cost too much for nothing. I just want a car that gets me from point A to B safely and comfortably because my job depends on me driving around town.<br /><br />Oh don't forget this coming weekend is wine in the woods in Columbia, MD. It's usually lots if fun...live music, lots of food, lots of Maryland wineries. I would definitely recommend it.<br /><br />Hopefully my computer keeps working till I'm rich enough to replace it. I feel bad coz I am going to lose so many pictures and music and documents.<br /><br />any who...Happy mama's day to all you lovely mama's out there. Also to the person asking if Castro was my boyfriend...umm honey not even if his penis was made of white chocolate raspberry cheese cake and protocolo wine!!! Never!Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-16079258018219358732009-03-29T13:45:00.000-07:002009-03-29T15:22:35.625-07:00Dambisa, Obama, Economy...lawd help me!So after my hiatus (that's right! I learnt a new English word!), I have decided to blog a little...even though I have loads of things to do.<br />I can not even tell you how much stress I have been under....lawd gimme the strength! It has been hard, but I am here, and I am happy, and I know how strong I can be.<br /><br />Will fill you in as we go along over the days...<br />So in the mean time, I got a new job ...yay! I also get my own company toys: lap top and cell phone and all, I am sooo excited! There are going to be sooo many changes in my life this year, it's not even funny!<br />I still don't have my passport...but my mummy is here, and she will take care of it. That's her job as a mummy:-)<br /><br />So moving on....Dambisa Moyo: Dead aid<br />There has been much ado about this Zambian lady who went to the same secondary school as I did. She has been described as beautiful by some papers, intelligent by others, and some locals complained about her weave...lol, which reminds me I need to get a new hair do.<br />My views on her book are thus:<br />if "corrupt" governments can't adequately help the general masses with donor funds...what will their incentives be without aid?<br />The title of the book suggests Africa is a country and not a continent. Solutions for Ghana can not be solutions for Zambia. They are not equal.<br />China doesn't keep profits in Africa when it makes money and surely the poor don't profit from that<br />I understand that she would like us to get into dialog over the issue which is great-- thing is it's not a new platform. It has been debated for years (see better arguments on same issue by Ali Mazuri- an old Kenyan man). Once you read his stance on the same issue, and the different way he presents and studies it, you will understand why I think her topic is good but not well investigated. She sort of says South Africa is a good example while it is not...and if you follow the market closely, you will see that SA will be Zimbabwe in 10 or so years if they don't watch it. Her idea is not new, and should not be treated as such, the adage "give a man fish, and he will be hungry forever, Teach him to fish...etc has been something we have known for years.<br />I am not saying she is completely wrong, but she is very shaky on subject matter. I may not have a PhD in Economics, but I have been following African matters and issues for years, and can safely say she is mistaken on several things surrounding the political economy or that aid causes corruption and conflict. Aid may contribute to conflict, but it is not a cause. Congo with or without aid will continue to have civil unrest for many other reasons than aid. Countries help other countries when they have a VESTED reason. She is right that billions have been sent to Africa as aid since the 70's. She is wrong however when she fights for fair trade. Read opinions on fair trade by OXFAM...or better yet ask a local trader in Zambia their thoughts on cheap Chinese goods and what that does to their market base.<br />Her proposal to cut aid in 5 years is crazy irresponsible as an economist and a Zambian. Especially to try and present this issue before the G20 summit. If this were to happen, imagine how many schools, clinics, shelters, orphanages...etc would be shut down! How many lives will be lost from this bad planning? The problem is not that aid doesn't work-- everyone knows that. It's finding new EFFECTIVE ways to utilize that aid. Even the United Nations and many others have been working at finding a solution to using resources wisely for the last few years, and that is what I do not find well spelt out in her book.<br />AS the person who marched in England with Jubilee 2000-- I find it offensive for her to say some stuff about Bono and the crew. Without the help of those types of people and the work done by the Jubilee campaign...a lot of the African debt dropped by foreign countries would have not been possible! They worked tirelessly for debt cancellation-- something she is not credited with.<br />That is my mini take on the matter...and I can expand if needed. Look out for my book "why I just LOOOVE aid" in book stores near you.<br /><br />Obama:<br />Okay...I am tired of dumb ass commentary every time I turn around about people thinking he should have been able to fix the economy by now, and they disappointed by what he has not been able to do so far. I am also quite put out by critics of the stimulus and such. You can criticise as much as you want to, but dude...where is your proposal???? I am all for people making their own legitimate and sound proposals and bringing it to the medias attention to show why they thing Obama sucks...and why their plan is more sound. After all, the economy is not a single party issue-- it's a global issue.<br />I want to know where the critics were when my best buddy-- BFF for life G.W. Bush was increasing debt and using money in places he shouldn't have been. They didn't ask his reasoning because criticizing the government at that time was tantamount to treason. Now that the media can speak, I think they are acting irresponsibly and without giving the guy (Obama) a chance to work. All I want to know is... If everything Obama is doing is wrong, what exactly is right???<br />The economy didn't get screwed up over night, and it can not be fixed over night. His plans make sense when he says the results will be years from now. Not in the near future.<br />You know I am a firm believer in the fact that the health care system in the United States has to be revamped. So I think he is right in putting money into that--and the Insurance companies and the people that benefit will fight this for life.<br />I also believe in affordable education and back his putting money into that to. Educating the masses is a big factor in a strong economy...and if people don't see how, then I don't know how to make that clearer.<br />Change in policy: but of course. Gas and electric companies have increased prices, and it's in every ones best interest to deregulate<br /><br />aww--rite, I am getting back to my real life:)<br />Missed you all...and missed blogging. Will try to do better now:-)Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-19216465124190356772009-01-26T08:09:00.000-08:002009-01-26T08:33:10.265-08:00Hey there!<br />So how bored I'm I? I have a million and one things to do, yet I am watching Martha Stewart! Not sure why!!!<br />I went for my annual HIV test last week... but guess what? They lost my blood and so<em> I have to go back today!!!</em> I am not amused. I almost changed my mind and said screw it... but alas! It's cold and there's flurries, so I really shouldn't be out doors. Any way, like I said, probablility always works weird for me! Besides if I go there, I will be forced to buy those chicken wings that I love so much which are bad for my health. ...hmmmm<br /><br />Moving along, I am sooo blank for things to say because it's been sooo long, and I have been holding too many stories in my head, then of course now that I'm here, they froze and I can't think!<br /><br />Maybe lets tackle Congo. Will Congo ever be peaceful? That's like asking will Gaza ever see peace for long periods of time. They arrested Nkunda...but really, there is probably anotehr leader in command eager to take up the cause.<br /><br />You know what? I just realized if I sit here I wont make it to the lab....so let me get my butt up and head out. Awwwww Gawwwddd!<br /><br />B.R.B....Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-65393446807832236172009-01-11T06:33:00.000-08:002009-01-11T06:46:05.544-08:00Happy new year!I am still alive:-)<br /><br />Things will be a bit tight till about January 22nd or so, then I will slow down again for a week or so, then start running again:-)<br /><br />Hope you had a nice New years day, mine was ultra fantastic, danced till my legs hurt and ate till by belly felt like it would burst!<br /><br />Okay I have a lot to say and as soon as things calm down, I will be back. It's not as bad as I thought though which is what scares me... I am very serene for the amount of stress I am under. I guess that's why I am super woman ...or crazy... not sure which:-)<br /><br />Somewhere in this mess, I am finally going to get to watch Bamako for free... will tell you about it soon... but FINALLY... I have only been waiting 2 years???<br /><br />ciao buddies~Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-56128647914649932842008-12-29T14:25:00.000-08:002008-12-29T15:14:40.186-08:00Christmas post...:-)This post is especially for "anonymous". I am sorry I was unable to post earlier, but hope this will suffice:-)<br /><br />Last week was sooo busy and I left town to be with family, so I had no internet access. I am also having a semi-crisis... well really it's self imposed so don't feel sorry for me at all. It will also cause me to be very busy for all of January... I am really dreading January! But I am a lioness and can get through anything!<br /><br />Any way... Santa was AWESOME!!! This year. I can not even begin to express my gratitude to "santa".... I am truly blessed.<br /><br />Also I am in the process of reading 'a long way gone: memoirs of a boy soldier' by Ishmeal Beah which was one of my christmas presents. Will update when I finnish reading. Lots of blood so far. Tell you what though... I thought it was a little disturbing that I was given that book for christmas... it says a lot about how morbid my life is I think...lol!<br /><br />Lets see news wise:- I still haven't a clue what I'll do for new years eve. Problems with being a social butterfly is that you get tired at times-- and this is one of those times. I am going to dinner with friends tonight and tomorrow, so I can decide what sounds better then. It's sushi night tomorrow... wrong day I know:-) It's also Michelle's birthday, so that's why. Gaza/ Israel-- is that really news???? Uganda church massacre??? Italian island of Lampedussa? There actually wasn't any real news other than the Somalian president stepping down-- that's like so rare in Africa:-)<br /><br />Oopsy... phone call ... gotta run:-)<br />~ciaoManenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-14027744611512677362008-12-22T17:17:00.000-08:002008-12-22T17:58:28.306-08:00Passport SagaI 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.<br /><br />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.<br />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.<br />Manena: I sent the extra money, so can I download the new form and send that to you?<br />L @ E: No, we will send you the form and you can fill it and return it to us.<br />Manena: So in theory, nothing has been processed in the last 3 months with regards to my forms?<br />L@ E: That is correct. In fact, we haven't touched anything that came in after July. So now we're starting the process.<br />Manena (controlling her mouth obviously-- coz she's major pissed off!): So Then it will be another 3 months before I get a passport?<br />L @E: Yes. It will be 3 months.<br />Manena: So altogether it will be probably 6 months to get a passport.<br />**************************************************<br />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.<br />******************************************<br />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.<br />***********************************************<br />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???Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-19847533188223964492008-12-21T16:10:00.000-08:002008-12-21T17:28:00.570-08:00Raison d'etreOkay... holidays are approaching and I have been a tad busy... also hurt my back at work..... so I was sort of recovering from that:-) I think I am all shopped out, unless someone wants to dump a whole lot of money on me then I will certainly recover and go shopping again;-)<br /><br />Yesterday, I had a craving for some pad thai, but I was in denial to go downtown and buy it from a good place, so instead I went to Jesse Wongs kitchen. I must admit, I was very excited that I could order my dinner online and also that they called me within 2 minutes to confimr everything and to let me know that it would be ready in 10 minutes. They also gave me 10% off for ordering online for the first time. I ordered pad thai, vegetable spring rolls, chicken satay and shrimp something rolls.<br /> Can I just say disgusting??? OMG!!! I mean my first clue should have been that I was ordering Thai food from 'Jesse Wong'... but I figured that maybe the chef knew his thang. He didn't. I ate half of my dinner, but really the pad thai had a nice spicy kick to it...but it was vile. The shrimp rolls?... I couldn't do more than two. The chicken satay-- nausea. If I ever go back there, I will probably stick to something simple like fried rice or steamed vegetables.<br /><br />Moving on-- Okay here is the funny story about Blagojevich... I had never heard his name until the day he decided to halt business with Bank of America. For some reason I get Chicago news on my cheap cable. I laughed when I saw Blagojevich coz he looked weird...and so imagine my surprise to hear the same name the very next day on the radio...after he had been arrested by the FBI...!!!<br /><br />Talking about secret service-- I found the dabya-shoe-saga sooo funny I thought I would pee my pants! Now why didn't secret service remove dabya from the scene when that nonsense happened? What if other shoes started flying in the room? I.D.K-- thought they were a little on the slow side.<br /><br />Ok... If I post nothing by Christmas...y'all have a grand time and don't forget the real meaning of Christmas. I am distracted at present.... tv:-)Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-22326659702721903422008-12-07T13:27:00.000-08:002008-12-07T18:23:47.666-08:00Elongation of Labia Minora- Zambia<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_kGNudHppiUnYREMvbdJFlpm5nK4PoGeV6-b7BVEOQ9HghXuwf51DHYrOBrnr_prqetxxf2IDiYgB6lZ5l4SDKQYMUTpmy1V97i5mJ8w9ncaJvN4Mpj-I4YoI1camrvBVwiL/s1600-h/zam1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277237313954658514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 382px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_kGNudHppiUnYREMvbdJFlpm5nK4PoGeV6-b7BVEOQ9HghXuwf51DHYrOBrnr_prqetxxf2IDiYgB6lZ5l4SDKQYMUTpmy1V97i5mJ8w9ncaJvN4Mpj-I4YoI1camrvBVwiL/s320/zam1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>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.</div><br /><div><strong>History and Commentary:</strong></div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>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 <strong>Chisungu</strong>: <em>A girl's initiation ceremony among the Bemba of Zambia</em> by Audrey Richards.</div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><br /><div><strong>Defense Motion:</strong></div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>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.</div><br /><div></div><div>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).</div><br /><div></div><div>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. </div><div>I am the proud owner of elongated labia minora and they have not caused me any mental or physical problems.</div><div> </div><div>I am Manena-- and I approve this message.</div>Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-27430335736973698452008-12-01T09:14:00.000-08:002008-12-01T09:30:16.888-08:00World AIDS dayThis is in memory of all that have lost their lives as a result of HIV/AIDS complications. There is nothing left to say that hasn't already been said.<br />You can view the stories I did in 2006 at the links below...<br /><br />http://manena20.blogspot.com/2006/11/when-i-met-hivaids.html<br />http://manena20.blogspot.com/2006/11/delay-of-arvs-in-africa.html<br />and of course-- last years post is pasted below...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.unaids.org/Resources/UNAIDS/images/feature/200711/20071128RR_145.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 320px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.unaids.org/Resources/UNAIDS/images/feature/200711/20071128RR_145.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I would like to start by asking you all to pause for a minute in memory of all the victims of AIDS that are deceased.<br /><br />Next I would like to applaud all families taking care of the 'orphans of AIDS' and to those taking care of patients with AIDS/HIV related complications. You guys are magnificent people!<br /><br />It's amazing that years after the discovery of this 'new disease', things seem to have worsened and not improved. Just the other day, news reports said that estimates of AIDS cases have risen in America. In years past, the misconception was that Africans we're too stupid to understand the cause and effect of unprotected sex and that was why the cases were increasing there. I can attest to the fact that this was not so.<br /><br />By the time I was in high school in Zambia (mid-late '90's), we had representatives from various NGO's that would come in and talk to us about HIV and show pictures of sickly men, women and children. We saw pictures of penises oozing with puss and vaginas with various stages of decubitus wounds. We saw sketetons or children- reminiscent of the Ethiopian children in the 'we are the world' videos. There were countless numbers of billboards screaming out 'prevention is the cure' or something in those lines.<br />The message was loud and clear: Abstinence or Condoms was the key to a life free of HIV/ AIDS.<br /><br />A few months ago, I found out that my cousin is HIV positive. My cousin is TWO DAYS older than I am. We saw the same billboards and heard the same messages. We knew almost the same people, including those that had AIDS.<br /><br />Yesterday, news stations were abuzz with the story of the Zambian reporter Kenneth Gondwe that was recently circumcised. While I commend him for bringing this story to light. I fear that we will go back to the days when circumcisions were perfomed enmass and the same tool was used to cut the foreskin of the men in attendance. Most of the people in rural areas can not afford the $50 needed for the circumcision. In addition, if the message isn't sent out right, there will be a growing number of people that will assume that because they are circumcised, they will not get HIV when they fornicate sans condoms. Also, i can imagine a growing number of penile infections due to people performing their own circumcisions in the privacy of their own homes for lack of finances.<br /><br />So any way, that's my little sermon for today.Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-20571243057792472702008-11-26T17:18:00.000-08:002008-11-30T18:44:47.789-08:00Driving etiquetteI wrote this the day before thanksgiving and forgot to post it oopsy! Hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving and that you told the people you are grateful for that you love 'em and all that mushy stuff...<br /><br />Okay... this has been pending for a while, but I thought I should talk about this seeing as it's thanksgiving weekend and things will be major busy...and traffic will be a mess and I will be enraged!<br /><br /><ol><br /><li>Please follow the 3 second rule religiously!</li><br /><li>The space between the car before me and my car is not so you can squeeze in, it's to allow time for me to deal with emergencies moron!!!</li><br /><li>If I am coming at 80 miles and hour...do NOT by any means possible pull in front of me on the highway while driving at 50 miles/ hour.... that is an accident waiting to happen.</li><br /><li>If you're lost and holding a cell phone... please stop the car at a 7 eleven or something and take down directions from there or buy a flippin GPS man!</li><br /><li>There is a reason hands free sets were invented, please read up on that.</li><br /><li>Use your indicators/ turn signals-- they were purposely put there.</li><br /><li>Makeup while driving??? Are you for real???</li><li>Why in the world would you all be driving at the same speed in all 4 lanes on the highway when there is no traffic jam?? I mean one of you needs to move out of the way or slow down to create room for others to pass n'est pas?</li></ol>Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-61089523790035953722008-11-23T17:15:00.000-08:002008-11-23T18:37:06.059-08:00Jazzmatazz<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aR0Ryx2QF3U&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aR0Ryx2QF3U&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />For the first time in years...I took a nap in the afternoon! Imagine that! I am not sure how I'll be able to sleep tonight:-) I've got work tomorrow...I know it's one of those rare mondays:-) The truth is I am only working 2 days this week, so I am not complaining about going in on a monday. Recession says I should go more often... but alas!<br /><br />Went to see the new Bond movie...quite nice actually. Well it's pretty fast you feel like you have ADHD or something! I don't want to ruin it for those that haven't seen it yet, but then again if you haven't seen it, then you're probably not a true fan and I can tell you about it innit? bwah haha!<br /><br />I am very fond of Jazz, and used to go to Twins Jazz <a href="http://www.twinsjazz.com/">http://www.twinsjazz.com/</a> and still thinkk it's the best Jazz place I know. They have open mic jazz night which is just fantastic! You get to hear unknown and up and coming artists just doing their thang and it's awesome!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT9AQXI_YYHxNd4mVEW2Y5y9s2-csjW85UslAp5A4CCvt4AgqzKpcVk74vpFOF-EFDw8v625G2_R8cvdp4eqWEuUswqYoI_bkEn61VEOpfuWcCoAH4R5otjzgmqy_vk_Qe6cu/s1600-h/101_6381.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272041739555354002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmT9AQXI_YYHxNd4mVEW2Y5y9s2-csjW85UslAp5A4CCvt4AgqzKpcVk74vpFOF-EFDw8v625G2_R8cvdp4eqWEuUswqYoI_bkEn61VEOpfuWcCoAH4R5otjzgmqy_vk_Qe6cu/s320/101_6381.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Any way in my denial of most things D.C... I went to try and find a jazz place closer to me and ended up at Coco's butter <a href="http://www.cocosbuttercafe.com/">http://www.cocosbuttercafe.com/</a> which is a jazz, wine and Chocolate cafe. All my favorite things! How delightful! It's located in Columbia and sort of looks shady from the outside because it's near a warehouse and one would tend to think you're lost as you approach the place for the first time. As you walk in you're greeted by pictures of jazz stars and instruments on the wall. Sweets displayed in the glass enclosures beckon endlessly for you to taste them. The room is small and inviting-- not bright. The down side is that you have to go to the bar to purchase everything. Last night they had a band called 'Nex lev'l' I thought they were great...the percussionist was totally entertaining! I didn't like the wines I had-- a South African rosé and a Pinot Grigio... The chocolates were...hhhhmmmmm. I didn't like the look of the cheesecake, so I didn't bother eating any. The hot chocolate was mediocre.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNiOGSQpfg3mr9OUHc0jcBM163uoL26PI-5IubD3WpDCDSlnDTShhOt3nXPufegR7tsAvXYjJrKIJ3YtoIXJRct6C8dyUIOH_kK5UK05c3GHWpmkGxJLf1_GBW_dvhlfxBc-H/s1600-h/101_6377.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272041747401218834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNiOGSQpfg3mr9OUHc0jcBM163uoL26PI-5IubD3WpDCDSlnDTShhOt3nXPufegR7tsAvXYjJrKIJ3YtoIXJRct6C8dyUIOH_kK5UK05c3GHWpmkGxJLf1_GBW_dvhlfxBc-H/s320/101_6377.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Talking about hot chocolate, winter is here and I HATE winter!!! It snowed the other day and I had to walk through the damned flurries!!! I think this is going to be a bloody long winter!<br /><br />Also the recession as I figured is now affecting wine purchases. I have been to several wine stores and I can not seem to find agood bottle for less than $10 like I used to. It seems most wines under $15 are like 2007's and a lot of them are too young to be drank now any way which is screwed up!<br /><br />LOL... the economist has the most ridiculous research done <a href="http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12630193&source=hptextfeature">http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=12630193&source=hptextfeature</a> basically they are saying that those who wash with soap and water are morally corrupt. So I guess to maintain my moral integrity I will probably stop taking baths...lol.<br /><br />Also, I will have not family this thanksgiving and Christmas. So If you think your life sucks... think of me and how I will be alone for Christmas...and know that someone else's life sucks worse than yours! I will be a freeloader... as usual... just haven't decided which houses will be raided. I may go to Texas again for Christmas if things play out right... though I have discovered that it's cheaper to go to Ohio... so I may visit my peeps there instead. Dunno yet. So many plans so little time:-)Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-9640159932936721002008-11-19T14:36:00.000-08:002008-11-19T15:37:23.492-08:00En attendant GodotI don't remember the particulars of waiting for Godot... but at the moment I think I am having such a situation...and it was so funny when I put two and two (of the situation) together mentally-- I got the story of Godot! I can not go into the particulars, but have you ever felt like a song was written for you... or that a movie or book is about your life??? It almost shows you how connected we are as a human race I guess.<br /><br />More on TV: How about the girl that killed herself after Paula Abdul? C$ and I were having a dicussion about how people don't know the difference between TV life and real life! Ok so she said I am from Venus and not earth and that's why my views are a little out there at times... but she said that she wanted to be Aaliyah for the longest time... and I don't think I have ever wanted to be a movie star-- that's not to say I don't wonder why I wasn't born looking like beyonce/ jenn lopez/ naomi/ oluchi... but I certainly don't imagine being them in a stalker way or nothing you know?<br /><br />My passport is still not back... we're getting close to December... maybe one day:-)<br /><br />Hey I was thinking about Zambian words yesterday-- you know, words that were introduced to the country by traders and stuff: <br />Insapato (bemba)- sapato (portuguese means shoes<br />Ifinanazi (bemba)- Ananas (portuguese) means pineapples<br />umuswaki (bemba)- Meswak (common in Arab world- not sure of origin)- tooth stick/ brush:-)<br />Fuseki (bemba/ nyanja)- voetsek (dutch/ afrikaans)- get lost/ bugger off...<br /><br />okay i'm on a phone call ... major distractedManenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-18453889264330166142008-11-11T10:45:00.000-08:002008-11-11T11:21:39.022-08:00Proposition 8ok....so if you voted no to proposition 8.... you might wanna skip this post and read other stuff unless you really want to know what I have to say about it.<br /><br /><strong>Civil Rights</strong> state that all men are equal...I don't see anything about men sleeping together in that statement...and truthfully, I don't see anything about women sleeping with men either. So I don't see how this can be used to fight for the rights of gay people.<br />With that said, I would like to discuss Civil rights Vs Homosexuality because I'm tired of the gay community stating that they are denied their civil rights because they can't get married!!<br />Civil rights to me, apply to protecting things that one can not change. I can not change my skin color(bleaching doesn't count! and anyone can see that Michael Jackson is still black!), and I can not change my sex. Gay people however, can be gay today and straight tomorrow! I have seen some people do that. It's only a sexual preference-- a life style, social statement if you will.<br /><br />Asking "why doesn't the black community support us knowing full well that they were denied their civil rights too" begs the question of understanding. Does the person asking that question understand that blacks and whites were not allowed to marry because whites were "human" and blacks were "sub-human" (somewhere under dogs and horses) and so the two were not allowed to marry for that reason.<br /><br />Allowing/ protecting same sex marriage because its "genetic" will also be leading to a leeway for polygamy, pedophilia and serial killers...for they too claim their condition is "genetic" and shouldn't their civil rights be protected too based on the same argument?<br /><br />If a mans sexual preference is for really young girls... i'm talking 14-ish, should he be allowed to marry a 14 year old because its his "civil right"? isn't homosexuality a sexual preference? Some men have a sexual preference for more than one women at a time... should they too be allowed to marry more than one wife?<br /><br />Frankly I am quite put off that with all the savvy lawyers available to fight for gay rights they couldn't come up with a better argument than the "civil rights" comparison for marriage.<br />So if Gay people want to get married, could they kindly find another argument? They can not compare their plight to that of slaves or dehumanized people... it just isn't right!Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-39802061089992867292008-11-11T10:11:00.000-08:002008-11-11T10:42:54.611-08:00UmmmOkay, my dementia kicks in once in a while and I forgot what I came here to say often:-) I guess I wanted to talk about the book I just finished reading "don't lets go to the dogs tonight". Very interesting how white and black Africans live in the same country living such parallel lives that rarely cross...and having such dissimilar experiences. Had the author not had the last 2 pages explaining stuff I would have sent her a stinker for most of what she wrote. It was an okay read especially if you want to know how muzungu's viewed independence and stuff like that.<br /><br />Any way moving on.... I told my muzungu friends that as a member of the now ruling race I am in charge of all decision making. That didn't go over too well I'm afraid. They called me a nut and some other rude words I can not repeat here.... so I am planning on writing to UNCLE Obama (based on his teeth looking a lot like mine... I think we might be related!) and I will ask him to have them (especially Peggy) deported to Germany or Ireland. I am sure I can find proof that their family trees extend there:-)<br /><br />On a sad note Mirriam Makeba bid as farewell this week...<br /><br />Also, The weekend was fab....ate some bad sushi at one joint though... but washed it down with delicious key lime and white chocolate raspberry cheesecakes (I ate both!) from the cheesecake factory....which really has sucky food. I am sorry to say to all the die hard fans, I have eaten there 3 times now and the food always sucks. The cheesecake I can not complain about because it's awesome! But the food leaves much to be desired. I mean who messes up scrambled eggs???...okay probably my cousin who also burnt the dish cloths after boiling them for too long. That doesn't count.<br /><br />I am going to go on a long rant about Gays and "civil rights" in a bit, so stay tuned.Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-42426702079526590772008-11-04T20:04:00.000-08:002008-11-04T20:06:34.673-08:00OMG!!!!I am a part of history.......... I have seen the first black president of America!!! OMG!!! I have no more to say on the subject.Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063063.post-89748496553390466752008-11-04T17:14:00.000-08:002008-11-04T17:31:42.812-08:00The count down...Nerves, nerves, nerves, nerves!!!!<br /><br />They already know I'll be late for work tomorrow because I will be up for a while tonight!<br />Everything looks very tight so far.... Who knows????Manenahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18355618369593961824noreply@blogger.com0