Democratic debate quotes

Sen. Gravel- the comptoller had a meeting and announced there is no money- where will they (the other 7) get money to fund their plans? (was I the only one who noticed they kept ignoring this dude? even the review on CNN mentioned him vaguely. He might want to donate his campaign money to me!)

Gov. Richardson- America should care about Africa and we don't!

Sen. Obama mama- it took you 4 years to get here...(my fav! what a kick in the u know what's!)

Kucinich- no WTO turn to bilateral trade...health care for all.

Dod- restore constitutional rights

Sen. Biden- (man was ablaze on Sudan!) implement no fly zone and shut down janjaweed!

Sen. Hillary- This is George Bush's war!

Edwards- (responding to Obama) you are right, I was wrong

Franco- Le grand maitre! and Zed music.

Born Francoise Luambo Makiadi in DRC 1938 was playing guitar by age 7, and became one of the biggest names in African Music by the early 1960's. Dude has such an interesting history, not only was a great entrepreneur (he owned property and businesses in Belgium, France and the DRC), he united a majority of Africa through his music.
I can remember going to parties and hearing his music when I was younger. If you went to a party at that time and didn't hear a Franco song...then the party probably sucked:-)
The down side to his popularity was that he became close alies with Mobubtu Seseseko and his rich friends, and so he lost touch with sending out great political messages. The other tragedy also was that it is suspected that he died from complications of HIV/AIDS at age 51 in 1989. The rumors about his condition began to heavily circulate after his last song 'Attention na SIDA'(Beware of AIDS), and the fact that he went from a hefty 300 pounds to probably 160 pounds-ish.



You might wonder why I am writting about him today, well I bought one of his 'best of' CD collections, and I have had much attention from my Zambia and Congolese circles. They would all like me to boot-leg it for them. The funny thing is, I love the song 'Mario' (in the video above- press red x if it doesn't show) and for ages I thought it was like a semi-romantic song seeing as my Lingala starts and stops at the word 'bolingo' (love). I was recently informed that the song is actually about a sugar mummy and her young boyfriend. She buys him everything, and pays for most things that his family needs and one day he hits her... and she explains to him that it is wrong to hit her because she uses skin bleaching creams and she is now too fair skinned to be hit as it leaves a lot of bruising-lol. I found it quite interesting. I just enjoy the performances put on by Franco and the TPOK jazz's, it's far from what Congolaise music has become-- who's dancer shakes her ass the best:-) c'est dommage!!!

I love African music from an older generation because of the messages they carried and the fact that a lot of them played their own instruments. For Zambia I can talk about Alick Nkhata, Paul Ngozi, Professor P.K Chishala, the Mulemena boys! The thing with Zambian music these days is that we have lost touch with the roots of 'Zambian' music. There is a lot of stuff in vernacular which is well and good, but it's mostly R&B in a Zambian language and not Zambian music per se. I wish I could hear more instruments being played by the singer or his/ her band and not all that piano synthesized stuff. How about utilizing the drums, the xylophone, the kalimba, msekese (haha)...etc. Many other African musicians are doing that today..i.e the beautiful music from Mali, or even our neighbor Oliver Mtukudzi (love him!). Zambian voices are beautiful...but we have to stop trying to compete with the wester market and try to perfect the traditional sounds already available to us. While on that point it would be wrong of me to forget to complement Angela Nyirenda because I think she is one of the few to stray from R&B.

I realise this should have been 2 posts...but it's my blog and I felt lazy to open another page...sue me:-)

Oh and thanks Diva for the news about the stampede in Zambia...that was one of those bitter sweet stories-- sweet in that Zambia won the soccer game 3-0, and bitter that 12 soccer fans died in the process. http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6881462

The Pussilanimous Manena

This post is dedicated to the few requests that I have received asking me to put my profile up.

The reasons that I do not have my profile up-- and I can create more are:
1. I like being sort of anonymous
2. If I one day want to be president of the world, I don't think a lot of the information here would help my cause:-)
3. I make some really ignorant comments at times and would rather not have strangers giving me the funny eye in public..."like..oh my god...like, there goes! like...she's such a loooossser!"
4. My ignorance is HIGHLY contagious, and I do not wish to get sued for it!
5. I do not make posts during business hours...:) just incase the boss is reading, this will calm you down...and how sure are you that I am the 'real manena'?
6. I do not encourage my 7 active and dedicated readers to read my blog during work hours...and if they did, I don't want them hating me when they're fired. So it's best that they don't have proof that I'm "that manena!"
7. I know it's rather PUSILLANIMOUS (haha) of me...but such is life:-)
8. The first rule of law is never to commit anything you wouldn't want found to paper (or written words). Seek anonymity.
9. I do not wish to get stalked. There are too many weirdo's online. Trust me.

The T.B guy.

I am sure you have all heard by now about the lawyer that is in isolation for an interesting case of T.B. Many people were alarmed that they had to travel with him, and he was out in the community...blah, blah, blah. The thing is though, I work in the health care field and I can tell you that many times, tests are done this week, and two weeks later they inform us that it turns out Mr. whats-his-name in room four 2 weeks ago has something contagious! In the mean time Mr. whats-his-name has been walking around town and being in closed spaces with people. Mr T.B guy was getting married and was around a lot of his family. If he seriously thought he was contagious I think he would be stupid to stay around his new wife and daughter. What a wedding present though! damn! for better or worse...for sure!
You would have though the CDC would have encouraged him to buy and use an airborne mask to decrease passing it on to others. Maybe they did...who knows. Dude says his dad has a recording of the CDC/ doctors telling him he was not contagious before they left for Greece-- well in lawsuitville you have to be prepared for anything!
Any way, my point is you never know who is contagious. Sometimes they know, and other times they don't. So you never know what you can catch from those around you:-)

Novena

It has been a rather interesting week. I think I read too much of Jefferey Sach's work because a day after I said sanctions wouldn't work on Sudan, he said the same thing. I guess great minds think alike :-)
Yesterday my little friend came over and I haven't seen her since she was 3 months old! She is now all testy and doesn't easily give out hugs like she used to. She's still sooo cute though!

I later went to a surprise farewell party for someone and I hate to be snooty, but I CAN NOT handle cheap wine! What happened was, I feel uncomfortable going to parties empty handed, so since this was unplanned, I grabbed a bottle of one of my wines for the party. When I got there, they laughed at me for bringing an expensive bottle and they offered me some interesting sangria. I had one glass only and 2 glasses of water afterwards because I know what happens to me when I drink cheap wine. I woke up with the worst headache ever.I should have really opted for the beer, but I'm not a beer fan. Then I had to go to a meeting to listen to financial projections and insurance stuff...I really thought I was dying a SLOOWW death...I almost called the newly released Dr. Jack Kevorkian to help me out of my misery!
I also got email from someone I went to primary school with years ago! It was a very welcome thing to happen and I was happy about it. Hopefully we wont lose touch this bad again:-)
After vowing the D.C area wont see a hide nor a hair of me for a loooonggg time because I'm D.c'ed out... I got a call asking me to attend a party..."you've just got to come." now the guilt is kicking in so I really must make an effort to go:-)I should have seriously moved to the D.C area when I got the chance, but I am not sure what changed my mind...

In addition to all the other fun stuff, I got 2 presents and it's not even my birthday! I love opening gifts, I don't care how retarded they are! most people know that the best way to trick me into doing something is to either offer me a sale (even 2cents off something gives me a rush!) or to offer me a nice prezzy!

You know what though, I often like to walk around the house in my birthday suit...I know that's too much information, but in the privacy of my own home I think it's safe to say that I can be as God made me:-) but I have found the dude 2 doors down twice at one of my windows. Now I can not call it sexual harrasment yet, but it's a little disturbing! For that reason, I never leave my curtains/ blinds open..don't you think it's weired???

And another reason why I am a news addict... a drug called tetrasil is causing 'pandemonium' in Zambia...see the 2 contrasting stories below:
http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2007-05-27-voa5.cfm
http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=480880

Oh and before I forget, I did the powerful 9 hour novena of childlike confidence yesterday for 2 reasons. One was resolved by the end of yesterday! My God is an awesome God!!! It was so amazing when I got the news!

Lastly according to therapists from California State University and Virginia tech university- "The key to a happy relationship could be accepting that some miserable times are unavoidable" they also say that it's the fault of mental health workers and 'happily ever after' type movies which help create disharmony in relationships. Way to go in ruining my perfect life with Mr. Darcy! LOL!!!

News updates...

It was so exciting for my family today. My brother received his official letter to Cornell and not only does he get a full tuition scholarship, he also gets a partial stipend for living expenses! This news came as we were trying to do a family budget to see how this would all work out...! Awesome!

Also...I saw Miss Tanzania in a clip on the Miss World padgent and I think it will be a tragedy if a big modeling company doesn't take her on! She is beauty and raw talent combined and this is her second attempt at a beauty pagent having won the first attempt in Tanzania. I unfortunately- or fortunately do not watch beauty pagents... but i was glad I saw this clip.

Next:
Cindy Sheehan has bowed out of fighting to stop the war after many years. The media states that she was quitting because the left wing is as bad as the right wing... I could have told her that..:-)LOL... any way, she had many Sheehan bashers, many of whom are in denial about the reality of the war. First of all, if "freedom" means the ability to say and do as you choose, then why is she called un-American by many when she expresses her views about things? In the interest of fighting terrorists... I trust that a very good attempt is being made in Afganistan...however I do not agree with the reasons for the 'war' in Iraq. That doesn't mean I think the soldiers are dying for nothing because every life has value...it doesn't matter how it is lost! Also this is a grieving mother...let her console herself in the best way she knows how...just like other grieving mothers choose to call their sons heros for dying in the same wars.

The other silly argument (and there are many...like I said, I missed a big chunk of the news when the war was having a vocabulary make over) I hear often about the reason for the Iraqi war was that it was to 'liberate' Iraqi's! While we're at it, why don't we liberate our neighbors Venezuela? or Cuba? oh..wait..why not send in the troops to liberate the Sudanese if we care that much about liberty for all don't they need it more than anyone??? Sanctions wont work as well as just sending in the military to build a wall between the rebels and the darkville sudanese people. Divide and conquer.

Any way...in funny news, Poland is trying to ban Tinky Winky...the teletubby because he is a homosexual!!!

Like you all didn't notice he carried a handbag??
How about Sponge bob? or winnie the pooh?

Why can't we just go back to the days of He-man and She-ra???

Congrats!!!

Congrats Mr. and Mrs Mulubwa...!

Congrats to cutie pie for getting baptised!!

Congrats to Chixy (Amukusana Mundia) and Brian!

Give to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar!

Let me just start by commending all health care professionals in third world countries especially Zambia--I am constantly amazed by what they do!! I have just been watching something on a lady that pioneered www.savezambiasfuture.org (we’ll get back to that momentarily) and I just can’t get over how much work the nurses have to do and the giving nature of most people—it’s just amazing! I always want to give credit where credit is due and these individuals certainly merit more credit than these few lines and I will be back with a better post about it and the ‘brain drain’ in the near future!

Now: Forgive me God for I am about to sin! Forgive me women for I am about to speak ill of one of our own! Forgive me Zambia…! Lastly forgive me cousin Zaza coz the lady looks a little like you!

I came across some video while playing around on youtube.com yesterday. At first I thought it was just someone playing around with a video camera and then I realized that it was someone seriously trying to solicit funds for her “one woman” cause- www.savezambiasfuture,org. The videos are not professional at all… not that it would matter if the contents of the videos were well written and well thought out ideas, but they aren’t. It’s like someone just woke up and decided “today seems like a good day to start an organization”, and then set out with a camera to talk about what she was planning. She walks alone from Queens to City Hall for fundraising (I commend her for this) and she complains about not having a media audience and that people wouldn’t speak to her. Now first off…the bad videos are long with a lot of pointless information—train noise, people talking, darkness. She talks about how Zambia will be extinct in a few years because everybody will die of AIDS. Most times I would have preferred that she spoke in Bemba because it was quite hard to understand what she was trying to say in English—not that my accent is the best in the world because there’s no such thing There is no explanation as to where they got the house, who will stay and work there, where they found the orphans that they picked, what her connection is with the home based care nurses that are shown in the video, what the connection is between the catholic church guy that she interviews, why she insist they will get a washing machine (majority of the homes in Zambia- especially where the orphans are coming from have no washing machines—your hands do the work), she talks of a dinning table, repeats herself endlessly on the same point, kept stressing poverty causes HIV spread especially in young women with no explanation as to how and why. I personally wouldn’t donate to that foundation because of the underlying lack of seriousness and the fact that she hasn’t really done her home work.

Now before you all start writing me stinkers let me just ask—when is enough enough? There are countless number of organizations started by Zambians for the same cause that she claims she is doing ALONE—my personal favorites are the Kabwata orphanage --because they cared for 3 children that I know, Zambia Orphans of AIDS (here in the USA) www. Zambiaorphans.org (please visit them and donate if you can) and many more.

As donors isn’t it easier to donate when you can see where your money is going? And as beggars shouldn’t we band together to raise money for common causes? Why should all Zambians have their own private organizations for orphanages when the country itself isn’t all that big? Why can’t madam P. Nsamwa Lungu join Z.O.A or other recognizable organizations and do their marathons, or other fundraising activities? heck- she can even work with Kasisi orphanage! Simple truth is that she wont get as much air time—but if you are doing it for God, do you really need air time?
The adage ‘United we stand- divided we fall’ fits perfectly in this situation. …lol you wont belive what song just popped into my head ‘ze more we are togeza… ze happier we’ll be’
Please take note, that I found something on Liberia where the minister was explaining that there are many orphanages in his country that are fake, and this could soon become a tragedy for Zambia… not that I’m implying that save Zambia is not a real org.

**********The end***************

Mucho Caliente!

It's wedding season again! especially since the weather is getting cold in Zed (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) Congratulations to my buddy Tukiya on her nuptuals!!! She looks really radiant in the pictures! I haven't seen her in a while, but the catty chick within me is glad to note that we both got a little round...yay!!!:-)

Any way...I am glad to see that society is somewhat evolving! I ran accross a story today about how they used to sterilize people without their permissopn approx. 40 years ago! That was really disturbing...and get this: The dad could give permission for his daughter to be sterilized while he was doing her, so she didn't get pregaz too many times...Na-wow! what kind be dis??? http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/health/6670217.stm
And you would think the disturbing news was over...but no! Another discussion forum about warring parents and the negative implications it had on children had SEVERAL respondents say that in their society "A MAN WHO DOESN'T BEAT HIS WIFE DOES NOT LOVE HER"...what kind of pupu platter shish kabob is that??? Let me tell you something, one misplaced finger on me and your ass is in jail booboo! I don't care how many mouths to feed we have...I'll find a way to make it work without you if the only way you know how to communicate is to show your physical strength! If that's how they show love...I have no curiosity to see how they show hate! Plus it seemed like it was more the west/ north Africans that insisted that a man MUST beat his wife. Go to BBC if interested in the discussion.

Oh and before I forget...the cutty sark burnt! I am not sure if the little weave carrying thingymajig went down in flames too (see pic below) but that was rather sucky that someone could have set it ablaze!

Respiratory allergies

The weekend went alright by my standards. I sort of double dated and went to the wine festival in columbia. Had there been a stampede at the wine festival you would be mourning my loss today! There was a HUGE crowd! The weather was great, but the pollen was so high we were all sneezing a lot. Maryland has one of the highest level of allergens or something like that, so it was inevitable that I ended up with an u allergic rhinitis. But before we go to that let me talk about the festival a bit more:
There were atleast ten Maryland wineries respresented, and each winery carries atleast 5 wines or so. Then there was food galore! hot dogs, jollof rice, jamaican patties, pilau rice, plantains, stews, funnel cakes, all types of ice cream...you name it! The crafts weren't impressive though...hats, jewelry, baskets...etc. I did not taste all the wines, nor did I taste all the food, my group and I opted to buy a few bottles...my faves were Basignani's-- riesling and the cabernet sauvignon, then solomons (or whatever they're called!)--mango something wine! delish!!! I bumped into a lot of baltimorons...opps baltimoreans that I know, it was so much fun. We chilled like there was no tomorrow.
The funny part is, one friend was trying to get me to notice this one male friend of her's and I'm like..."nuh, too short!" and she's like, "but he's rich!" and I'm like "OMG! why didn't you say that before! my number is 1234!" LOL! Just laugh... you know you find it funny too! I also saw a lot of my ex co-workers... it figures!
Then I got home to nurse my allergies. Not fun at all! I do not respond well to medication, and for that reason I like to wait things out. But my nose was hurting so bad...I had to find a solution. I ended up taking loratidine because I can not take anything with psuedoephedrine (or the likes), nor can I take benadryl (or the likes)but the loratidine really did a number on me! the side effects are fatigue and dry mouth...I got both. So I have promised not to touch it again! I have no idea what I will use next for my allergic rhinitis!
Also, I got 2 special emails today. One just showed me how predictable I am. It was a foward from someone, but the first line read "Manena, please do not erase before you read it all" I laughed so hard because I typically erase forwards without reading them because I get so many. This one was a warning for an event taking place here in July...and MY GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!! I will be in England and wont have to find excuses to not run into Mr.Him!!! By golly, he already threatened to call me! eeeck!!!
The next email was from my little cousin Musama! Her wedding is this Saturday...so please keep her in prayer that her day will be a success and that she will have many more happy years with her new hubby! Oh and keep Tayani in mind too because he'll eat me alive for not mentioning that he'll be getting married soon too...I can not remember the date coz I suck...but what's new????

p/s: why do women always have to point out my tata's in public??? I'm used to men gawking, but women should really know better!

aahhh...

Ok... the alzheimers seems to be kicking in...I came here specifically to say something, but its gone now:) oh well...

Today has been a very nice day...Wolfowitz is losing his job, and shared in his sorrow because my hours at the no brainer job got cut because they hired some new people. You would think I would be mad about it, but really I'm not. I am grateful I found that place, and that my contract which was initially supposed to end at the end of January will last till June. So as you can see I would be a real nasty cow if I tried to complain about that:-) This is as close as I have ever been to a perfect job and I will forever keep it in my memory! Now before you all start getting teary and sending me money to save me from living on the street...I just want to let you know that in my profession, you can quit a job at 9a.m and be hired at another place by 5p.m the same day...and I will ALWAYS have a job. It may not be the position I want, but there will always be something. God bless shortages of workers-- AMEN!!

Also, I knnow I am lactose intolerant, but I have been in denial for several years, so I finally bought myself some lactose free milk...I am still not sure what's going on in my tummy though. I will let you know over the weekend.

I SWEAR I am not and alcoholic and you do not need to have an intervention. I just LOVE wine! I am scheduled to go to www.wineinthewoods.com for one of my favorite activities this weekend. I drink (a) glass of red wine (mostly) approximately every friday or saturday, or sunday depends on the mood and what activities I have planned the following day. i do not do wine on work days... for obvious reasons.

Being a home owner has turned me into little miss care-a-lot... I keep noticing all this dumb crap that I never used to see before. I also seem to think I can D.I.Y...but really I suck at it! I recently tried to remove and put new caulk in my shower...lol...patheticly done. I also have my friends coming over to paint. They promised if i buy pizza and wine, that will be all the payment they need. My walls are all white, but I need a more feminine color...black?lol. No really though, my friends laugh at me because I can't/wont do many things...I told them, we had a painter in Zed if we needed one, I had house maids and a driver, gardeners and people to copy papers and type out what I needed. We weren't rich by any chance because just about everyone had a maid. So what the heck would I be learning how to paint or garden for? in fact even if we had to do our own painting, I think it would have been a mans job because we would need a ladder?? duh..:) My lazy ass brother probably might do my shower properly when he comes:)

It's so embarassing that I learnt how to use a copy machine only six years ago, and that I really can't type fast because I was never in a typing class! Those of you that went to RGSS...(my alma mater www.eroga.com ) know that teachers used to threaten that you would only amount to a secretary or tailor if your grades weren't good...and so I associated typing with dummies:-) hey blame my teachers for my shallow thinking:-)

Oh before I get carried away...those of you in London..please support the Zambian Gospel choir. They are performing at St John on Bethnal green (well the church next to bethnal green tube station) On June 17th at 19:30 hrs and there's a 5 quid charge. If I lived there, I would go with y'all...:-)

umwana ashenda...

Ola people!
I wasn't having a good day today and was giving my "mayo ukuchula"(woe is me) speech to my friend and she gently reminded me that I have a roof over my head, food on my plate, clothes on my body...so technically I aint ukuchulaling...:-) I needed that though and i feel better. I hit a pothole with a project that I am working on, but with a little more work and prayer I should be fine.

So any way, I am one of those people that don't like it when languages are directly translated, I think the end product sounds different sometimes. For instance, that book I told you about last week has a Bemba adage 'umwana ashenda atasha nyina uku naya' many translations on google and around translate it as 'a child who doesn't travel praises his mothers cooking'. But Bemba words have many meanings... ashenda- can't walk/ can't move/ can't travel, atasha- praises/ thanks, uku naya- now this one I could have sworn is reserved only for preparing nshima (I don't think uku naya can be used for cooking anything but nshima). If they wanted the word to mean cooking shouldn't they have said ukwipika? The implication of the statement though is always the same: travelling or visiting others increases you capacity to broaden views of the world.

Wait!!! I forgot to comment on the Zim deal...what's with rationing electricity to 4 hours a day?????? what do factories/ butchers/ clinics and others do in those hours? the idea is good for the wheat farmers...but jeez louise! This is the problem with sanctions...they rarely hurt the people that they need to hurt- especially in Africa. Mugabe can live off his money in his Swiss(?) account while the general masses starve! Inflation of 2200% now that's crazy!

On another note: my paranoia about the media industry was just increased last week when I heard on NPR (who I can almost trust) that a certain program on CBS uses fabricated/ inaccurate information and they claim they're always right! it was as simple as figures for undocumented immigrants bringing leprosy to the U.S. It was an interesting story and I'm sure you can look it up on NPR's website. I just don't have the energy to tell it.

Well I'm off now- stay well! Remember to broaden your minds:)

it's almost monday

I am not sure how I have become a little social butterfly all of a sudden. Friday night after work, the girls and I went for sushi as usual, did our bonding and met again saturday afternoon for a party with really yummy food. From that party, I left for the Washington D.C area for a soiree. Quite an interesting evening. I am getting sick of the Washington DC area, I have had to go there every weekend for one thing or another for the past month...and I think it's a bit much now! I just got 2 invitations to two more things this month, and I am already thinking up excuses as to why I can't go. Don't worry the people that invited me don't read my blog...bet they don't even know I have one:) My friends think it's good for me that I'm out of the house often, but I have no issues being indoors enjoying my own company. I am the kind that can stay in the house from friday to wednesday and not feel antsy about being alone. I love my own company!!! You would have to put me in solitude for a lot longer than the average person to make me go crazy!

Oh great news!!! My brother got a scholarship to Cornell for his Master of Laws!!! He'll be closer to me, and I can get on his nerves and this time, maybe I can have a reason to visit New York!!! How exciting is that???

Also, why is it that certain people seem to think you were put on this earth specifically to serve their needs? I realize that people only treat you as bad as you let them, but some don't take the hint when I've reached my max. If I give you the opportunity to walk on by (or what others seem to think is my way of acting standoffish) keep walking, don't stand there and keep talking to me because I can be the queen of verbal diarrhea when I choose. Treat others as you want to be treated. Those are the most important words I have learnt.

LOL, I know the paranoid among you will be emailing to find out if they are responsible for the above paragraph!

Oh and can I just say how I LOVE costco and Sam's club??? they can make a sista broke, but I love being there...especially the one in Virginia, because
I can buy wine there too. Why can we not buy wine in grocery stores in Maryland?

Oh and happy mothers day to all mothers and future mothers:-)

Zam Fam

I have a new challenge for myself. Today, a co-worker had picked up a book on Zambia to learn more about me (that's how lovable I am!)…and I don’t want to call the authors liars, even though I think they are! So I am going to do at least one thing related to Zambia per month or per week. It might be a recipe, or word definition, or even an explanation of culture from my limited knowledge. Of course my concentration will be on the Bemba for various reasons.

Oh my! Where to start….
Well, I guess I can talk about the traditional family system first and develop from there. The Family is made up of the immediate family members (mother, father, sister, bother) and the extended family (uncle’s, aunts, cousins, grand-parents, nieces, nephews). Most traditional families are matrilineal. This means that most family decisions are made by a ‘mother’ figure and her family. My family is one such family, and for this purpose I am closer to my mother’s family than my father’s family.

Having a child is an important milestone in the Zambian culture. You don’t want to be childless after a year of marriage otherwise your in-laws start to fuss… and offers of a new wife for your husband will begin to surface! (of course the woman is to blame when the couple can’t have kids!!!).

The new parents from that day on known as Bana (mother of) or Bashi (father of) ‘John’ or whatever the childs name is. For example if the childs name is ‘John’, mum is called –bana John and dad is called bashi John. The grand-parents also become Banakulu (grandmother of) and bashikulu (grandfather of) i.e banakulu John. Only the first child or grandchild’s name is used for identification. The new name is worn like a badge of honor.

The families are so close knit that cousins are considered part of the family and called sisters and brothers as opposed to mere cousins. Aunts and uncles can often be referred to as nyina mwaiche/ mai nini (small mum), or nyina mukulu/ mai guru (big mum). The children of your siblings are your children. In case of a death in the family, any relative that can care for the child does so. This was more true in the past than it is now especially with the poverty level and the mortality rate—strain on the family system has caused a collapse of sorts as we have seen with the increase of street children.

The sense of family is so strong that when one dies the funeral can takes days and there’s a whole ceremony among the Bemba called ‘Ukupyanika’ whereby the name and ‘spirit’ of the dead is passed on to a selected member of the extended family. Ancestors (imipashi) are often said to be present especially at important functions. It is said that when a child cries a lot during its infancy then imipashi do not agree with the name given to the child.

The older the family member the more authority they have. So imagine what life is like having several elders waging their fingers at you when you are wrong! What a fun life.

Mind Your Language!

I had a really fun weekend with some set backs ofcourse! I saw a few faces I haven't seen in a while...and most of the people I hadn't seen in a while have the cutest babies!!! I was like ooooooohhhh I want one of those too:)but don't tell my family that other wise they will start their 'you need to get married' speech again... seriously if you're not an unmarried Zambian adult female (or african for that matter) consider yourself blessed! They throw all these guys at you, and actually madam C at saturdays outing was like "we really have to find you a man, what about so and so? don't you think he's nice? I think he likes you! maybe I can arrange something"... this was out of the blues!...I'm thinking to myself, I am not desparate yet... when I'm 40, I'll marry any Tom, Dick and or Harry! but that's for another topic on another day!

Any way, Sego lost...awww! how crappy is that? and my friend G.dabya forgot to invite me for lunch with the queen! we'll see who laughs at his jokes next time! I am really not looking forward to him leaving the white house, who will I laugh at then? he is too comical...I start laughing even before he speaks! I should probably put a big poster of him in my house so I can be happy all day:) So why was he winking at the queen??? dude's got issues! lol

Then I got the most marvellous phone call today, and then the best package in the world! I will be the envy of my little Zed circle! The package conatins 'the gods must be crazy' part one and two, 'Mind Your Language' parts one to four and Sarafina! I can not wait to get started on Mr Blown (brown) and the Little led book of china! Laughter is truly the best medicine!

WHY?

1. So Chiluba has been found guilty of misappropriation of funds...what's new? but WHY was the case done in England? LAZ??? anyone???
2. WHY don't people get that sperm + an ovum = life?
3. WHY can Cubans that reach American shores get automatic (?)asylum, but Other nationalities can't?
4. why would sanctions on Sudan stop the genocide?
5. WHY would the pope want mass in latin???
6. Why couldn't Giuliani just leave his legacy at September 11th?
7. WHY does my mother rarely call me by my 'real' name?
8. WHY is England turning American?
9. WHY is my Amazon.com order not here yet?
10. Why did that fool give me that stupid answer?
11. Why is burger king better than McDonalds?
12. Why are men from mars and women from venus?
13. WHY did the 3 guys go missing off the 'ghost' ship in aussie?
14. WHY G.M.O's?
15. Why do the sweet potato chips I got taste nasty???
16. WHY don't we have separate toilets fo gays and lesbians if men and women can't share toilets?
17. WHy lie???
18. WHY isn't guardisil mandatory?
19. WHY is ignorance bliss?
20. WHY wont MSNBC pick names out of a hat for poor people like me to go to the places that Matt Lauer visits?

Any way, tomorrow is cinco de mayo the second major drunkards dream. I will be in D.C. for most of the day, and after that, I will be any where the wind blows. So you wont hear from me tomorrow unless D.C really sucks:) which I doubt coz there will be plenty of hot latino's to salsa with:)

Law association of Zambia

I have been hesitant to write about a recent scandal in Zambia, but you all know I can only be silent for short periods:) Apparently the student at the Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE) were caught with leaked final bar exam information.

The Story:
A source who happens to be a student in that class informed me that during their last and final exam for the program, one student presented a copy of the leak which she had received the previous night to the administrator. The administrator then went on to inform the rest of the class that they could stop trying to write the exam because all exams were now null and void!

The details:
The student that took the leaked information to the admin. Citing a disturbed conscience is the wife of John Sangwa… that’s right …of the Law offices of Messer’s Sangwa and co. One of the students that is alleged to have distributed the leak is our lovely president Mwanawasa’s niece! It appears Mr Sangwa and president Mwanawasa do not get along. Therein lays the conspiracy.

Their problem:
LAZ says they will not allow this years current students to take anymore exams until the whole system is cleaned up, even if it takes the rest of the year to do it. As you can understand this is distressing news especially for those that had nothing to do with this whole issue, and who wouldn’t have benefited from it! In fact, the latest rumor is that the students will all be expelled for examples sake.

My problem:
I believe in fairness and justice. You can not be guilty until proven innocent, although as humans we tend to treat people as such. The problem of leaks has been an issue for years due to the competitive nature of our exams. I remember being in high school, and we heard of people having the leaked national exams at grades 9 and 12! Its common knowledge that UNZA itself has leaks and a ‘sleep-with-the-professor-for-a-good-grade’ program, so I do not understand why the attorney-general Mumba Malila stated that he was “devastated” by the news!!! How out of touch is he???? I am of the opinion that the people who should be disciplined in this case should be 1) the people that write the exam 2) the people that print the exam 3) the people that distribute the exam 4) the people that are responsible for administering the exam!
The whole administration needs to be fired before any of the students can go down because someone sold that information to them. They did not break in and steal the papers.
I am waiting to see how ‘just’ LAZ is, because they seem to have forgotten that they too were once students…and this could have been them!

Places to see before I die

This is my list of some of the places I think are really beautiful, or worthy to be seen and that I would like to see (or have seen) before I meet my maker. Now the list is tentative and could change at any one time. The list in is no particular order. I know I can’t afford to see all the places, but I’m hoping the travel channel hears my plea and sends me:)
· Statue of liberty- New York (I'm so pathetic- haven't gone yet!)
· Kyoto- Japan
· Montreal- Canada
· Trinidad and Tobago- Carnival season
· Havana- Cuba
· Namib desert- Namibia
· St. Petersburg- Russia
· Grand Canyon- Arizona- USA
· Vienna- Austria
· Sweden- To find out the truth;)
· Baja California- Mexico
· Kandy- Sri Lanka
· Phnom Penh- Cambodia- The killing fields
· Morocco- To haggle in the market
· Amsterdam- during the tulip seasons
· Hungary- for the Hungarian sausages;)
· Maasai Mara- Kenya
· Rio de Janeiro- Brazil
· Iceland- for the hot springs
· Taj Mahal- India
· London- everybody should go once!
· Sun city- South Africa
· Bankok- Thailand
· New Orleans- Louisiana- USA
· Texas- I have got to see J.R’s ranch! (Dallas)
· Machu Picchu- Peru
· Dzimba Dza Mabwe- Zimbabwe
· Williamsburg/ Jamestowne- Virginia- USA
· Great wall of China- duh China
· Okavango delta- Botswana
· Scotland- the castles- might meet royalty!
· Angel Falls- Venezuela
· Chinuoyi caves- Zimbabwe (wow)
· Bamako- Mali (during the music and film festivals)
· Roma- Italy (to test a theory;)
· Kauai or any other part or Hawaii- USA
· Paris- France
· Kalambo falls- Northern Province- Zambia
· Graceland- Memphis- Tennessee- coz Paul Simon said so!
· Seychelles- wow!
· Nkhata Bay- Malawi
· Acropolis- Greece- coz cutie pie Aristedes was from there;)
· Dubai- If I see it with my own eyes, my ghost wont rest!
· A Holocaust Museum- I think I am brave enough to see one now.
· Auckland- New Zealand
· Maldives
· Kokrobite- Ghana
· Harpers Ferry- West Virginia/ Maryland/ Virginia- USA
· Egypt- I might have been Cleopatra, but I’m not sure:)
· Kasama rock art- Zambia
· Mosi-o-tunia (Victoria) Falls- Zambia/ Zimbabwe

With the grace of God, I will see these places and more!

May Day March

Illegal Immigrants were out marching again yesterday, and I was too lazy to write about it. Besides I am going to say the same thing I said last year when they did it. So if interested scroll back to May 2006.
The only thing I can add is that I think they are going about their plight the wrong way! How can you break into someone’s house and DEMAND they adopt you??? It doesn’t make sense! The other argument I heard this morning is that, the government separates families by deporting the illegal parents and children born in the United States…ummm…if you’re unhappy about that, see the British and Australian laws below!!! Just because You’re born in England or Australia, doesn’t mean you’re a citizen like in the USA…so be grateful that your children are accepted here!

1. If neither parent is a British citizen or legally settled here, the child will not be a British citizen at birth. So, if a married couple have only been allowed into this country temporarily, for example, as visitors or students, or to work, and they are still limited as to how long they can stay, or if they are staying on without permission, their child will not be a British citizen at birth. Nor will their child be a British citizen if they have entered the country illegally (for example, without being examined by an immigration officer or otherwise in breach of the immigration laws) and they have not been given permission to stay here indefinitely. If the parents want to stay in the United Kingdom, we recommend that they apply to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office for themselves and their child to be given leave to remain.

2. If a child does not become a British citizen at birth, he or she may be entitled to registration as a British citizen later. This will happen if either parent becomes a British citizen or legally settles here before the child is 18; or if the child stays here until age 10. If the child is not entitled to registration, the Home Secretary may decide to allow registration.

3. Children born in Australia with at least one (1) parent who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident will continue to automatically acquire Australian citizenship at birth.
There is another approach here… where illegal immigrants can appeal to governement on a humanitarian basis and also ask for forgiveness. They can talk about how hard life is, and also appeal to the government to be linient because they have spent atleast 10 years here and technically their life is now here. Do not go demanding, because quite frankly if I were president and you commited the crime of entering my country illegally…then had the audacity to go marching to TELL me I need to give you citizenship—you wouldn’t GET it!
Another interesting thing is that, to become Mexican, you need to 1. know the history of the country, 2. SPEAK SPANISH, 3. live with a Mexican. Not that I’m picking on anyone, but why is it a big deal when a lot of hispanics are asked to speak English? ‘when in Mehico speak spanish. So when in America—speak American! nobody makes allowances for me by speaking my Bemba/ tumbuka/ nyanja...etc so wha' a gwan???????
And don't be picketing outside my door!

New Zambia Dailing system.

Effective today:(hopefully the interntional phone companies are aware and will not be charging double for phone calls!)

Please be advised that Zambia is changing it’s National Numbering Plan to increase the capacity of numbers. Subscriber Number length is changing from 6 digits starting from 1st May, 2007.

The current numbering works like this:-

097,099,098,096,095 are called National Destination Codes (NDC) and e.g (437672) being the subscriber number .

Now what will happen with the change is, the NDC number will remain except for 097,099,098 which will migrate to 097, but the subscriber numbers will change, the new subscriber number will carry the last digit of the current NDCs.

Example:

If current number is 095 164972, the new number will be 095 5164972.
“ “ “ “ 096 164972, the new number will be 096 6164972

In case of 097,098 and 099 the NDC will migrate to 097. Then any of these numbers will bear their last digit on the NDC as the fourth number on the new system.

Example:

If current number is 099 763196, the new number therefore will be : 097 9763196
If current number is 098 763196, the new number therefore will be : 097 8763196
If current number is 097 763196, the new number therefore will be : 097 7763196

LANDLINES

For landlines, the last digit or last two digits where the area code has more than one digit, will become part of the subscriber number

Example: for Copperbelt, 02-614972 will be 2614972.
For Livingstone 032-16321, will be 3216321.

ZAMTEL now has an NDC – 021
If you are calling from a mobile phone locally, you will dial for Copperbelt 021-2614972

If you are calling Zambia from another country, you will dial:

Zamtel Landline :+260 21 2164972
Cell Z : +260 95 5164972
MTN : +260 96 6164972
Celtel : +260 97 7164972, +260 97 8164972, +260 97 9164972



The migration period will begin on 1st May, 2007, during this period subscribers will be accessed on both current and new 7 digit numbers until 31st October, 2007 when the six digit numbers will be disabled.

Compiled by : Esnart Pwele (C.A.R.S)

Shopping is Therapy.

It is pretty common knowledge that I love shopping but hate crowds...:) I also love Fridays...not sure why...
Saturday I was only supposed to attend a birthday lunch...which was conveniently going to take place near a strip mall...So its understandable that I came home with the "perfect" dress, and the "perfect" make up! Seriously, if you suffer from low self esteem, or if you're having a bad day...go shopping! The make up artist was like "oh you have such BEAUTIFUL skin, you don't need make up, we can try if you like...OMG you look even better with it on...the eye shadow is just perfect for you!" I knew she was B.S'ing, but what the heck, my esteem rose to 110%. Then I went to look at dresses, and I walked out to show my friends...and I got ooohh's and aahhh's from strangers and thought...screw credit card debt! I'll make shopping a habit:) Halle berry who??? the new name in town is MANENA!!! hot chicks come with love handles these days...didn't you get the memo?

Then twiddle-dumb and twiddle-dumber my accomplices, were planning a trip for us to go to Costa Rica which happens to coincide with my trip to engy, so i said to them, that I would have to look into visa requirements and the likes...
Twiddle-dumb: but why would you need a visa when you have a passport?
Twiddle-dumber: yeah...a passport is used in place of a visa...you can use either!
Me: you heifers know we've had this conversation before! Visa is not a passport!
Twiddle dumb: well the travel agent said all I needed was a passport.
Me: again...traveling on an American Passport doesn't carry the same requirements as traveling on a Zambian passport. I told you that when we were planning our trip to Italy...(which has been forgotten)
Twiddle-dumber: oh yeah, I forgot you foreign people are terrorists!
Me: *eyes rolling* and *rude finger signs* I'm not A-rab!
This is my punishment for hanging out with blonde headed ho's (can I say that?), they ask the same damn questions over and over and over and over...and its not like they listen to my response...coz they don't pay me any attention at all, then they wonder why they don't learn anything! Twindle-dumb is paying for the trip...so we owe her big time...but honey you need to pay attention when I speak! everything that comes out of my mouth is IMPORTANT! And if you give me a rude response...you'll never get your money back:-)
And another thing, I am TIRED of dealing with other people's marital issues! I HATE public arguments between couples! No matter how many vague responses I give, they keep calling me! Its fine if you just want to talk, but to involve me??? "what do you think he means? don't you think he's crazy?"...sorry love, I have no clue...the only ring on my finger is a rosary...besides, I am not married to your husband, I don't know what he means! "my wife did this coz she's crazy, why don't you talk to her"...ah no honey, she's YOUR wife, not mine...you talk to her! There's a reason I am not a psychologist. Please pay one to sort out your issues. I have enough problems trying to sort out the WHY's in my life! The couples I'm talking about know who they are... don't call me no mo' with your questions, especially if you refuse to go for marital counseling! You're disturbing the feng shui of my house and my beautiful aura...okay?

aaahhhhhhhh! now that I'm liberated, I'm going to eat a huge bowl of chocolate pudding and learn more about that new pill which increases libido and decreases appetite:)

Drama

Who needs T.V when there's all this drama in the world to see?
1. lady, how does your 6 year old have suicidal tendancies, with a plan on how she'll do it?

2. Dude, how do you agree to be the baby daddy of a lady you just met who had checked you out first through your doctors records?...don't even get me started on ethics!

3. Zambian women have turned gangster! The Daily mail has it that one lady hired a hit man to shoot her husbands girlfriend recently, but the dumbasses that went to do it left a witness behind, so wifey has been arrested! what the heck happened to the good old days when wives used to go with some friends to beat up the man snatcher, break the windows of her house or car, put some hot chilli peppers in her punani and maybe splash some hot cooking oil on her body???? lol...but seriously, does intended murder ever solve anything??? Is she worth you going to jail and never seeing your kids again lady? better yet, is any man worth that kind of hussle? (I'll rephrase that when I'm married to Bill Gates:)

4. A group of somebodies are planning to do a series of Impeach Cheney things. Well I was imformed yesterday by a Dennis Kucinich fan that he was filling articles of impeachment for Dick (ha ha) yesterday. Today I think I was informed that they are hanging a banner with the words impeach, and that they would have a sleep out at the mall and spell out the words impeach:) These dudes are serious...they made tee shirts man! I am only putting it out there coz the media probably wont.

5. The above info really does nothing for me because I am neither a democrat nor a republican and probably will never be either. I do not agree with abortion, so that cuts me out of the Democratic party, and I do not agree with guns, which boots me out of the Republican party!

6. There's also an awareness for displaced people in D.C this weekend. I can not remember which organization is doing it, but the kids at the school invited me along. I am not going because I found out you have to sleep in a sleeping bag on the grass to get the experience! first of all I have slept on enough floors at various funerals. Next, sleeping outside in the city with a group of your friends is not as dangerous as sleeping in the woods and running for your life before janjaweeds or the lions get you!

7. What is the point of having the capacity to speak, but not being able to state your opinion?????????????????????

p/s: you don't even want to KNOW what dinner is today!:)

Weekend review

The stripper was cancelled for various reasons...I guess I was never meant to see one now. No free peek shows for me I'm afraid:)
So any way I saw 'Namesake' at the recommendation of Mwabi *hello*(www. africangirlinanamericanworld.com )I had read the book because I thing Jhumpa Lahiri is an awesome writter and Mira Nair is a good producer, but I am not sure I was impressed with them working together. As usual the book was far better than the movie.
The catch though was that I was supposed to see an Ingmar Bergman revival series at www.thecharles.com my favourite cinema in Baltimore. I am not allowed to comment on the Bergman stuff coz I'll be in trouble with the fan that sent me there:)

I also finally saw Rent...and all I can say is, I don't get it!!! It was a waste of a whole hour of my life which I will never get back. For some reason I couldn't turn it off coz i kept thinking it would get better and I would finally understand why it was a big deal...but that moment never came and I was glad the show was over!

Yesterday I ate myself silly and enjoyed reports from the Nigerian and French polls. Only in Africa does a guy think he won by 70% when there are reports of ballots not getting to places and people killed going to the polls!

Three Cheers for Zambia!!!

Our very own Nobel green prize! Ofcourse it had to be a Tonga to win it!!! *smile* and ofcourse Zambian Tonga's have an obsession with the letter H, so his name had to be 'Hammaskjold' just as good as Hamusonde, Hamoonga, Himoonga...lol I am just playing with you Tonga peeps!

I was very impressed with the recognition especially with the growing 'green' trend. I can't even imagine how much work this man has to do!

Viva Zambia! and Viva Hammaskjold Simwinga! you have done us proud dude!!! I am very honored to belong to the same country as you! The elephants thank you too i'm sure:)

French Elections

I just found out something interesting. The laws state that telly stations have to allow each person vying for president equal air time before elections! So everyone gets a fair chance to say their piece...yes, even the village idiot! How democratic! ofcourse you would have to listen to your leader of choice and several imbeciles...but who cares?
The person I would avoid would be Le Pen, for obvious reasons, which really don't matter because I don't live there. I would also like Segolene to win because I'm a bigot and she's the front running woman. Simple as that.(and she was born in Senegal)
My mother was one of the pioneers of womens rights in Zambia...she got on the governments nerves and she sort of rubbed off on me. So I am definitely pro-advancement of women. My sex comes before my nationality...wait I need to think this over...don't believe that statement yet:)
It would be hilarious though if Besancenot won...he's so refreshing! He reminds me of Oliver from the 1970's/80's cartoon 'Kid Power'...yeah...who knows what year that cartoon was made??? we were used to re-runs in Zed. Punky Brewster anyone???

it's official!

I have the most disgusting job in the world! Not only do I get to play in people's poop, rotting wounds, pee, puke and snot...I also get to pluck lice out of their heads!
For the first time today, in my 20:) years of existence, I got to see a real louse! then because I am a drama queen...I spent hours disinfecting myself with lice spray and lysol...those suckers were not going home with me!!!
Frankly...I prefer to play in poop:)

Stop press!!!

You know how everything has to be about me???? well this aint no different! read on...except if you're my little brother, or father Matt:)
****************************************************************
Saturday's party at my friends house is going to have a stripper!!! isn't that exciting? My first strip show!!!! (I know right? I am so far behind!)So I casually told my friends if they were good friends, they could get me a stripper for my birthday...and they said they WILL if I am good!! Those tricky cows know I'll fall off the wagon soon and do something bad, so i wont hold my breath...but I will sure be screaming the loudest when Mr "Hardrock cafe" takes his shirt off:)

aaaahhh, it takes so little to make me happy:)

F.Y.I

Those of you with young daughters in Maryland need to know this. As a health care professional it is actually against HIPPA for me to even acknowledge to a parent that their daughter is on birth control or had an abortion without the daughter's permission. The kids still can't legally drink alcohol, nor can they vote though.

Maryland's Minor Consent Law (Article 20-102 of the Maryland Annotated Code)

This law permits minors to receive contraceptive services on a confidential basis. The law states that “a minor has the same capacity as an adult to consent to treatment for or advice about drug abuse, alcoholism, venereal disease, pregnancy, and contraception other than sterilization.” This means minors can get the following services without parental knowledge or consent:

Pregnancy testing
Birth control
Exams
Testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Maryland's Parental Notification for Abortion Law (Article 20-103 of the Maryland Annotated Code)

Maryland law requires that one parent or guardian be notified before a minor has an abortion. The parent/guardian does not need to consent (agree) with the minor's choice, but does need to know the minor is planning to have an abortion. Maryland's parental notification law says specifically that no notification is required if, in the judgment of the doctor performing the abortion:

1)The minor is mature and capable of giving her informed consent to the procedure, OR
2)Notification would not be in the minor's best interest, OR
3)Notice may lead to physical or emotional abuse of the minor, OR
4)The minor patient does not live with her parent or guardian, OR
5)A reasonable effort to give notice has been unsuccessful.

And don't you just love the media??? I love the stress on the fact that the VT shooter was Korean, even though he has permanent residency and has lived here for the past 15-ish years (technically after 10 years you can file for citizenship). According to McCain, lets keep the guns in the hands of law abiding citizens...Ummm...the dude was law abiding before he went on a shooting spree! Lets stress that the shooter was Korean so it appears like a one off thing because...well Americans don't go around shooting one another!
*********************************************************
Side bar:
My friends sister in Law goes to VT, they finally heard from her and she's alive...a friend of her's though is feared dead. By the time my friend and I were going to lunch yesterday, we were unsure if er sister in law was okay.
***********************************************************

Easy forgiveness or short memories?

It's amazing how easily Zambians forget or forgive. I am not even sure if we forget, forgive or just move on because we have too many things to worry about. I just finished reading Andrew Sardanis's(a.k.a Andreas sortiris Sardanis)book 'Africa- Another Side Of The Coin'...and I would like to say wow! It is so easy to point fingers. While Zambia's adopted son (Sardanis) makes some great statements about africa not being a lost cause

This is the cynical view of the West and many other parts of the world. The old colonial powers lament the deplorable state of the ex-colonies, the misadministration, the corruption, the poverty, the famines, the wars and the un-stoppable spread of AIDS. Many, some Africans included, look back on the colonial period as the golden age of Africa and regret its passing. I do not subscribe to this view… But I am not about to malign it either.

and gives an excellent account of Zambian history circa 1950's. I just don't think it should have been given the hype that it was given based on the fact that monsieur Sardanis is still living la dolce vita after being the god-father of the Meridian Bank scandal! The Meridian Bank scandal is the Zambian equivalent of the Enron and many people suffered and are probably still suffering from the loss of their money while the designers of the issue walk about scott free rolling in money and criticising the government.
In fact, Sardanis now owns one of the largest lodges in Zambia which I am guilty of having enjoyed www.chaminuka.com and which i have just advertised...oopsy! I feel his lodge and his books should have been boycotted! Sadly there aren't that many Zambian authors and there are few spots of interest to hang out at in so he's lucky he'll stay in business.

I know I have some relatives that were also part of the scandal but I can not boycott them:) but can try to apologise for their part.

The Zambian community has done an awesome job at moving on and have that whole 'ubuntu' thing going. I who is blameless and without sin on the other hand find joy in casting stones at others:) Pick up Sardanis's books when you get the chance. If anything, they are an interesting read.

p/s: the picture is of me with Mr and Mrs Sardanis at Chaminuka...I was hoping to get adopted, but they didn't seem interested:)

Virginia Tech University shooting

if this doesn't validate my posting the other day about stricter measures of gun control...I am not sure what will.
Why should guns be available to sick bastards like this guy?????
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18134671/?GT1=9246
If we can get people fired for saying the wrong words...why can't we use that same passion into getting gun laws changed...because this is really getting out of hand!

In boca al lupo!

The weekend is over too soon yet again...well not for me...but for the rest of you:) I am back to my normal schedule of wednesday to friday--yes. 3 lovely work days a week only. Such bliss! I have actually been working on some policies and procedures at work, and any one that has done that can tell you how tedious it is. So in my defense, I do deserve the 4 days off thing. Its funny someone at work complained that I don't talk much. Verily I say to you co-worker...once you get me started, I will never stop! Ask those that *know* me. The people at my last job swore they created a monster:)
So lets see, friday I hosted pizza and wine night, quite nice really. We had pizza from isiscafe.com because i was in the mood for brick oven pizza and their hummus is just slurping good! I would make a ridiculous food critic I know! Afterwards it was off to Bethesda where I spent most of my weekend. I would like to say I was productive today...but I would be lying...and it is sunday, so i'll pretend nothing happened. J and I spent several hours people bashing. Who knows? we might have bashed you too!!! other than that, I guess I've just been farting and picking my nose:)
So based on the title of this blog, I need all the luck I can get. I am about to do something, which hopefully wont cost much...oh talking about cost I just realized I haven't seen my mummy in a whole year*...sob...sob...sniff* She was supposed to come this year because she got a full scholarship to Georgetown University, and she turned it down because she wont be allowed to work on her visa. Well she hasn't responded yet, but she pretty much told me she's too old to be sitting around. I told her she can work on campus...but I think she's too scared to leave Zed for long periods though she can't face it. Oh did I tell you I free lance as a psychiatrist?:) lol...that's only coz I hang out with too many retards!

Talking about retards...I don't care what you say...I will always be cautious around Germans and Boers! Yes M.W, I'm watching you too, even though you're only quarter German. My people aren't safe around y'all:) lol, let me stop!

As you can tell I am dead bored, I am waiting for my friend to get off work, so we can hang out. The Telly is on, but there's really nothing of interest for me to watch. Any way you can help a sista by calling...or not...its just that I have a small addiction to my phone:) Enjoy the pictures of my beautiful face:)
FYI: Manena: three - Opponent: Love! I win!!!

Wolfowitz

LOL
agony is: going into an organization with the aim of punishing/ fighting corrupt leaders of under developed countries... then you are found out to be using your clout (corruption?) to promote a girlfriend's career!

Stem cell debate

S-5 and S-30 both just passed...and because I'm a bored cow I watched the whole thing on CSPAN.
The simplified difference between the two is that S-5 is the use of viable embryo's and S-30 is the use of naturally dead ones...or something like that.
Listening to both sides for an against, I picked 2 people or things said that I liked. Senator Orrin Hatch made a very powerful statement, he said something in the lines of "pro-life is not just caring for the unborn, its also caring for the living." Majority of the time us pro-lifers seem to forget that the living also count because we seem to put enthesis on the unborn.
The other person of note for me would be Senator Brownback...indeed if $613 million dollars have been spent on stem cell research and there have been zero results, is it economically sound to keep putting money in it???

On the one hand I can understand what the one group is saying when they stress that the emryo's used are from left over in vitro fertilization. If the embryo's will be thrown away and distroyed any way, why not use them to create hope for a cure for people with incurable diseases? (ignore the money lost). Surely if it is wrong to use those embryo's shouldn't we be fighting to ban in vitro fertilization for the sheer reason that it leaves over fertilized eggs that are in actual fact living beings?

What we need to remember though about in vitro is that not all eggs are fertilized, and they go to waste just like the many eggs we women lose per year. The sperm is also wasted, just like men lose...when they do big people stuff:) sometimes in in vitro only one egg out of many gets fertilized and other times a big batch does.
Any way I enjoyed listening to the debate.

On a lighter note. I am H.A.P.P.Y? because I saved a life today!!! I have used 911 several times this week, and I figure they will black list me! At 4a.m today was the worst because I called 911 not knowing whether I heard a cry for help or not. I must have sounded crazy because I thought I was aroused by someone calling "help me" so I tried to explain to the dispatcher what I thought i heard and the fact that I couldn't call my neighbour because I am antisocial and have no clue who they are. So any way two fine looking cops walked into my house giving me the "u must be the crazy lady" look, they went to look at the house that I suspected the shout came from, and lo and behold, he was in a hypoglycemic state and couldn't move. The cops came back to give me high fives for being right. I would have been so embarrassed if I was wrong. Thank God I'm always right:)
The other day when I called 911 eight walking testosterones showed up and I almost fainted just so they could resuscitate me!! This has all been in one week! I am such a life saver:) My neighbour and I though are now finally even for the fireplace incident:) lol! He owes me one.

Imus

ok. a few quick words on "the Imus" scandal.

How many rap songs and 'black' comedians have used the terms "nappy headed" and "ho's"???? why is it funny when the latter do it?

Are we as a society mad that it was a white man (trying to be funny) that used the terms together?
Why isn't sharpton calling for the music industry to drop rappers that use those terms? aren't rappers and media people entertainers? Imus being suspended is just a little vay cay that he needed and is taking...

How can we expect people to have respect for us if we do not have respect for ourselves? why be two faced? isn't it racist to use certain words and tell others of another race they can't say those same words? my niggaz?

eh? very soon I wont be able to tell blonde jokes coz the blonde society will be asking for my removal from the country...

Wha'a gwan man???

When I am Silent

When I am silent
It's not that I am deaf, dumb or blind
or that you're far from my mind
When I am silent
My confusion kicks in
there's quite a turmoil within
When I am silent
I'm still there
I'm still me
Just Silent

Guns and Violence

Okay, so if you buy a gun…isn’t that intent in itself? If you think about it, you buy the gun with the intention to use it on something or someone. If all you wnated was to look at it, you could have bought a toy gun. Before you gun-totting looney-toons send me hate mail… I have heard your little "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Argument. For one thing this part of the constitution made sense at the time that it was written. This day and age, it doesn’t make sense because its used for more than just security of the state! Just today, the news has that one guy that was fired/laid off/ whatever who went out to shoot his former co-workers. Or, the guy that went to the Amish school to shoot kids he didn’t even know, and columbine? etc. Should we now start requiring that all gun holders report themselves on their employee sheets, or at parties, or in shopping malls so we know not to piss them off?

I don’t understand why smoking can be banned because second hand smoke can kill others, or if having STD’s or T.B is reportable so that others are prevented from getting it and if you do not comply as with the guy last week in the new- they put you in quarantine so that you do not kill others with your germy self! Why aren’t people with guns thoroughly checked for mental stability to make sure they aren’t the kind to go around killing innocent people?

Guns don’t kill people- people kill people. Indeed. Guns though give you wings that you otherwise didn’t have, and a quicker means to end someone’s life. When you are pissed off, you can quickly grab a gun and just aim. Who cares if you blow off people that really didn’t do anything to you? YOU have the right to bear arms!

So please friends and co-workers, or future friends and future co-workers. Let me know if you own guns so I can stay away from your dumb selves!

Photo borrowed from some website that i forgot.

Alleluia, Alleluia , Alleluia!

Happy easter to all of you...yes even you pagan P!
I am having some fatigue issues...maybe its mono???lol....
any way friday was a sheer waste of a few hours...I could have stayed home sleeping, but I was asked to "fill" in at work. Almost everyone was away and i practically sat at work all day doing nothing! I was actually begging people to get sick so I could have someone to assess...it was pathetic! Then we went out for dinner...then i fell asleep...then i woke up- saturday.
I find easter rather depressing because I get really home sick. I am convinced no one can do easter like Saint Dominic's in zed. The easter triduum is like the biggest celebration of the church and they go all out. I am talking goats laid at the altar, liturgical Dancers, the lighting of the funeral fire....and the big ALLELUIA! So this year instead of going to my usuall church and getting irritated by Monsignor Tinder's bigoted views (ref: http://manena20.blogspot.com/2006/04/sundays.html )I opted instead to attend mass at Saint Peter's Basilica via EWTN and play my own Zambian catholic CD's...church was bangin' in sister Manena's house!! The only thing I didn't have was the eucharist and that's fine coz I didn't go to confession friday:) So since I cheated, easter came early for me. When the bells rang in saint Peter's...it was easter for me too! That left me with enuff time to go meet my aunt so we could get the program ready for mama C.K's memorial...and without giving away too much, you guys going for the memorial will be much impressed! After several blonde moments we got it together, and i can say that I'm not only pretty but talented too, and ofcourse modest:)
I will leave you all with one of my fav Chewa hymn:

a jehova, chikondi canu, ni co dabwitsa anthu! munalenga ziko lo kongola. ci kondi canu sinditha ku chinvesa mu na pasa anthu o chimwa moyo wa uthali co linga kuthi alape athembenuke. Mu na thulusa chi baraba mu dende. Baraba chinali chigawenga co paya anthu. Muna manga yesu o funa kuti pulumutsa.

A mayi Maria, munkhale nkoswe yanga. Ine Mwana wanu o chimwa monga nkhosa yo sochela, ndigwireni zanja. Mu ndipelekedze kwa ambuye, belu yanga ya lila kupuma kuli kundisiya. Moyo wanga uli ku bitsala naga ndi tawile kuti, kwa satana kulibe malo. Nkhululukileni a mbuye wanga.

The I word.

Most citizens of "developed"/ "first world" nations shudder when they hear the word Immigration...especially when its preceded by the word illegal.
Most recently I came across a college students blog here in Maryland and she was bemoaning a lack of support from the new Governor O'malley for wanting to sign a bill that will permit undocumented aliens (that have completed high school in the state of maryland)to get in-state tuition. Now I personally don't see wnything wrong with this because these are kids have probably lived here their whole lives and their parents brought them here. They graduate from high school and need a fair chance at college. In order for them to pay out of state tuition, they probably need to get on a student visa or something...which would mean returning to the country of their birth...which would probbly mean not being able to get a visa back here so screw that option!
The other thing I saw today was on the BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6507535.stm Now this is an interesting story because if you think about it from a business perspective, I do not agree as others that President Dabya should make all illegals legal, for that really wont fix the problem as more will come in and do the exact thing. It will help for the moment. My proposal is...make a new visa category for south America. With this new visa, the goverment can make a cap as to how many people enter from that region and require them to pay whatever coyotes charge them to come across deadly ground. They would also need to reduce most of the questions they ask at the visa check point. Now I am not saying blindly let Ahmed in from Mexico... do a background check and ask only minimal questions regarding their plans.
If you are well accustomed to getting visas to developed nations you somewhat know what they ask...they have key phrases that they want you to say and standard things that they want to see...sometimes there are things that are too complicated for one to explain to visa officials...such as you have relatives that will allow you to stay with them for free and you can't show that you have the finaces to live in a certain country. There are a few other minor issues that you know will be okay when you get where you're going, but visa officials want you to show proof of things you can't produce...its crazy!
Many people that don't deal with immigration and have never had to get a visa in their lives think its the easiest thing to do..."why don't they just get citizenship or a legal visa?" they ask...well its not that easy....simple as that!

Letter to my Brother

My dearest brother,
You whom I love. Who is first in line for my organs if needed. I have known you since you were born. I remember watching you many nights as you slept, praying over you that were the house attacked may they kill me before you. Even now, I hope that you will live to be at my funeral and not the other way round.
I have watched you grow with my opinion of you changing at each stage from adorable to annoying to amazing. I can not tell you how proud you have made me over the years and I can only wish the best for you and hope that you will do more amazing things in your life.
We do not talk about it often, but I know the hardships you have endured. I know it’s a problem for you that dad is not there and died way too early for you to have known him. He had his faults, but who doesn’t? I would have preferred for him to be here so you could learn from his mistakes or from whatever he did right so it could help you in your journey to manhood.
We had a very difficult conversation this evening, and I knew it would come one day and I have feared this day. I told you before that I had been having disturbing dreams about someone taking you away and I would always wake up in tears. I explained to you that the reason I was having those dreams was because I needed to learn that you are your own person and I need to let you make your own mistakes through trial and error. You are always about 8-11 years old in my dreams, which is probably how I will always remember you. In my most recent dream this week, I accepted what you had to say and I just held you. I did not cry this time. I just prayed and held you.
Like I said to you earlier there are things in life that are hard to explain. It’s like the law school versus music career conversation we had a few years back. You woke up one day and saw where I was coming from. I feel the path you ‘might’ choose is the wrong one for you because I have seen it not work for a countless number of people. My feelings about the subject could also just be my prejudice, and I am somewhat ashamed to admit it. Religion and faith are two things no one can chose for you in a free society.
I have crossed the line with you many times by defaulting to the position of ‘mum’ and not sister, and as ‘mum’ I am having a hard time accepting that it’s time to let go and let you find your own path. At times I feel the worl is waiting to take advantage of you. There are questions in your life that I can not answer for you, and I am glad you have found what/ who can.
I will always support you even when we disagree. God made sure we were born in the same family for a reason. He just forgot to give me a 'being sister' manual.
Use your judgment. You are probably smarter than me….nah! Who I’m I kidding? We all know I’m smarter Live your life to the fullest. It is YOUR life to live.
To handle yourself, use your head, to handle others use your heart.

FYI: I did cry when I wrote this because I am a foolish lady… and with your help, I will eventually learn to be less judgmental and just let you be you.
Je t’aime.

Days are longer in Zambia!

I know I am not the only one that has noticed that days seem to be longer in Zambia than they are in the USA. I remember waking up at 8a.m to run errands and I would be done by noon and twiddling my thumbs! Now here, I wake up at 8a.m and I am still late for things and I am never done by evening. Maybe its coz there's more to see and the bush girl in me likes to go sight seeing in the city...but it just amazes me that I always ran out of time!!

Friday, we went out for Lady P's birthday to our favorite spot www.sushihanatowson.com Yummy yummy sushi...so fresh and tender I could have some now! The service wans't as good as usual, the towels we'ren't as warm as usual and dinner came late...but it was worth the wait!
I came home with a new motto..."do not wait to celebrate" isn't that so cool? I thought of it myself! So following that new joie de vivre...I popped open a bottle of champaign that has been waiting for a "special" occassion in my fridge and I figured now is a good time as ever to celebrate...ME! For if i do not celebrate my life...who will? the clocks-a tickin' and i aint got no children...except for my 2 year old niece, who i might cut out of my will because a) she has been refusing to come to the phone and say hi to me recently and b) I think she STOLE my mommy...!!! So I will be proud of my achievements by my lonesome!
I threw myself a party saturday...great turnout!!! Spent ages on the phone as usual and sunday I over indulged in rich chocolate cake slabs and slabs of it and I need to eat ice-cream. I also got to eat some kabobs and grape leaves from www.cafeisis.com ...not impressive! I wish I could have a real scharwama...like the ones from northmead...not the most common egyptian ones that come on pita bread...thats sooo yucky!
I will be working the whole of this week which sucks, coz my co-worker has to go away...so I am not a happy camper.