Happy easter:-)

Oh wow! Can I just say I am exhausted?????? I haven't had this much mental stimulation in a long time...and I shan't be doing it for a while I don't think!!!!

So Friday...I ran some errands, wasted a bit of time doing nothing in particular....then after making myself tired walking around, I finally rolled into Bethesda, then we immediately went to dinner at some funny Thai restaurant across from the Borders books off Woodmont ave. All I can say is....if you look into a restaurant and you're not sure about it--go to the next place!!! The problem was I have eaten at everything in that street but that one Thai place...so i insisted that we go in. Well lo and behold--the place sucked!!! First of all...they didn't have half the stuff on the 'specials menu'...and to my dismay they had no FISH???? on good friday???? talk about being anti Semitic!!!! like OMG!!!! Then because I couldn't be bothered to read the rest of the menu, I settled for their pineapple shrimp fried rice....another error in judgement. It had 4 shrimp at the top and the pineapple tasted a little off (how do you go wrong with pineapple?). The waiter was totally useless...and were it up to me, he would have never seen a tip.

After our little dinning episode, we went out to 'Juste Lounge' for their sex in the city Fridays (pictures will also be available at http://www.justelounge.com/ at some point in the week)...aaaahhhh the life of a celebrity! *hair toss*. We had a great time! There weren't too many people because I suspect most people go to juste lounge on Saturday's for their International night. I plan on doing one of those at some point and will let you know the verdict. I was impressed with the group of people there any way because although there weren't a lot of us, it was quite lively and everyone got up and danced...and best of all several men bought our drinks! Those are the signs of an excellent bar/ club in my opinion. It wasn't sweaty and full of kids... it wasn't rowdy either, Just a bunch of people looking to unwind and have a few laughs with friends. Yeah European Kids though drink as much as they smoke I think... coz those little un's I went with weren't shy to lift a glass. We went from Vodka and redbull to margarita's to Tequila... we were just randomly naming drinks when someone asked if they could refill our glasses:-)

We got home at 4am... then we were all supposed to get up at 6:30 to head to New York City...what a laugh!!! I woke up at 06:30 as agreed, so I got two hours of sleep. Drove to Baltimore in my pajama's, took a shower at home and made a few phone calls, called those girls and they were still sleeping at 9am! So we didn't leave till like 11...and got to NYC late afternoon and had a splendid time. NYC is over stimulating to me and I really think I should only make one trip every...i don't know...5 years??? There is just too much chaos. I wouldn't be complaining of semi-road rage if I lived there because trust me, it would be FULL blown!!! The best part is I ran into my little jay bird:-) She wont let me put a picture up because she is so paranoid about how she looks in pictures:-)

I did not have a very good dinning experience this weekend I might add. It probably has something to do with the fact that nothing was home cooked. We tried to get into one of the good restaurants in NYC and we couldn't. So we settled on a chain--Applebees. I can not stand chain food, but I was starving, so we went it and wow...! They sat us in between 2 very loud birthday celebrations--not their fault of course. Then we got the menu, and I didn't see any main course worthy of being $20 or more--yet they were and people were lined up by the dozens waiting for tables. The best think I would say off their menu would have to be the Oreo cookie milk shake. I enjoyed drinking it and think it hit the spot. As for their trio blah blah thing--hmmm, it ain't for me!

They had a Macy's flower show which was really cool this weekend end. It was also fun to watch real shoppers shop till they drop:-) Oh and we took a picture with spider man, and went into the barbie house:-) too cool man! too cool.
I was supposed to be co-driving home---wait a minute! how come gas heading towards new york city was only $3.07????? And we're like 10 cents over and more?? who does Sunoco know to get great low rates in those cities??? Shouldn't they cost more? Any way, I was supposed to be co-driving, but lack of sleep was causing me to hallucinate...we left NYC at almost mid-night and I was half asleep and seeing buses and people where they weren't ..lol...so I knew not to touch that wheel:-) I kept sort of awake by talking the whole way because everyone in the back was asleep and I didn't want our kind chauffeur to fall asleep too:-) I slept till something like 9am because my mummy called me then. I tried to sleep later...but oh well. Hunger called and I responded:-) Then here I am....
Happy Easter...and I hope you had a great weekend--lotsa luv...me:-)

I memory

Mama Christine Kapiya... (March 9th 1927-March 22nd 2006). I miss you and can't believe how I took our time together for granted thinking you would be here forever. I remember how you said you could still hear your gtrandmother's voice when you were older and I believe I will still hear you singing when I am a grandmother too:-)

Good Friday

hi there!

I know I have been a slacker, but really there has been too much going on in my vida that I hardly have time to write:-)

The joys of working for a catholic institution is that you get Good Friday off... so I am a happy camper:-) I am home all day...you hear me? All day (color purple).

I had a very disturbing conversation with someone on the Dixie chicks documentary 'shut up and sing' their basic conclusion was that if you don't like the USA then get out. I do not understand that way of thinking because I am under the impression that one of the founding principles of this country is freedom of speech and I know that ones freedom must not suppress another's freedom. The little dixie didn't say she was ashamed of America. She said she was ashamed that dabya was from Texas...which is were the chicks are from! But oh no!!! Billy bob and his crew were quick to shout "crucify them!!!". Yet people with the Billy bob mentality were in agreement that the people of I-raq and Afghanistan needed to be liberated so they too could be free to speak their minds!

Well hell! how can you liberate another if you yourself are not liberated and can not French fries unless their name be changed to freedom fries???? To be a good leader, one must lead by setting a good example of what the general masses must do.

Forgive me. I am off my soap box now:-) I just have a hard time understanding certain views you know? They just baffle the heck out of me!

Oh and you know how I thought the hospice patients would weigh me down??? on the contrary no! They are just the jolliest people I have ever met. Some you can hardly tell have only 6 months or less to live. They are bright as day light! I also met a REAL gentleman in the "Ghetto" the other day, and he insisted on walking me to my car and making sure I was safely on my way! That was very refreshing! It was not because he was trying to hit on me either (you know...coz I'm so hot and stuff) it was just because he has great MANNERS!!! It took me a few minutes to regroup after that. I was too chuffed:-).

So for the weekend.... I am off to the DC area... I know right? why don't I just move there:-) any way, I have plans to see my Little cousins (one from England, the other from Belgium) and one of their friends from Morocco. I may take them to either Adams Morgan or Cafe Peju (Juste Lounge) in Bethesda... today or tomorrow... depends on where the wind blows:-) Then I have plans with my friends, which will be awesome!

I know you're thinking Good Friday is a day to reflect and she really shouldn't be a party bunny and all... but the thing is... I am spending all day reflecting and it gets kinda old at some point. Besides, my grandpa's one song says (and so does the Bemba culture) "Ubu lofwa bwali bipa, bulaleta imilandu" which loosely translates as 'an idle mind, is an evil mind' which is true. The more you sit doing nothing, the more time you have to plan crap! Also I think good friday should be celebrated-- I celebrate the fact that someone LOVED me enough to DIE for me. That's quite .... umm.... okay lost my eloquence... but y'all know what I mean!

I may post several times today... idle mind! LOL! Do I hear you complaining? but I'm I bovered though? I'm I bovered???

Oh wait one more though... if I end up giving up my wine habit and having to live at the YWCA because of the recession...I will sue Greenspan... coz his job was to see this coming and take preventative measures to ensure that Manena doesn't end up eating green eggs and ham all day!!! So this good friday, he better be praying that aint so...coz i will take him down and marry Warren Buffet in the process. Oh did I tell you guys that I divorced Bill Gates??? yeah it's over between Bill and I. Forbes listed him as Number 3 or something....and that just wont do!!! I only entertain people that are number 1...you know...like me:-) ( you should have seen that one coming!)

I am also eagerly awaiting the supreme court decision on the gun issue in D.C... you know i'll have something to say about that:-)

Happy birthday Brother dearest!

Oh if you run into my baby brother make sure to wish him a happy birthday today:-)

I am soooo jealous that my brother was born on St. Patricks day...and I was born on a non drinking holiday... but that's cool though coz i forgive him:-)

So guess what? The world is getting really small for me! As it turns out... the first African Playmate (Playboy: March 2008) happens to be the sister of a family friend!!! Okay so some of you out there might view it as degrading and all... but it's an achivement for her nontheless. She worked hard getting her boob job and all...and deserves all the credit that comes with it...like totally! I only feel sorry for her poor father because he has a prominent Unesco/ UN job and she mentions him in her bio...which is really messed up! and now Tanzania is in an uproar about it...and so is her family. So any way, if you want to see more google her-- Ida Ljungqvist. She is very pretty...okay so not more than me coz I'm a natural beauty...but she aiiight!

Next, in funny news... Mubarak has ordered the army to bake more bread because the country is short of it:-)....that was hillarious! The army???? are you kidding me????

And in not so funny new....Bear Stearn!!!! While management was out playing dodge ball or whatever game he plays in the summer.... the company was in a major crisis! This is what people do with our money when we tell them to invest it. So someone gave me a lecture about my investments and said I need to be more aggressive because I am young and can afford the losses... I was like WHAT??? in my best indian accent I stated "I am to be telling you, that I am to be in-westing half my money conserwatively and the other half I am to be letting some nikonpoop inwest!"

Which reminds me... if you haven't seen this http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10843030 story in the economist... you need to hussle! Go on now! I found it troubling.

Kudo's to David Paterson! Black and Blind...that's awesome dude!!!

Gosh! I can not believe March is almost over! Time is really flying...and it's going faster than I can move! It's like I plan to do something this week, then this week is gone before I can even blink!

As for Serbia and Kosovo...what in the world are they fighting for still???? They erased the name Yugoslavia... (which is a funny story because C$ was born in Yugoslavia...and now the country doesn't exist!!! more on this next time!)

Ooopsy! It looks like it's bed time.... I need to go now...taa!

Oh and happy St Patricks day.... my friends though it was a cool picture of me to looking like I am a Guiness advert...who knows-- they might just pay me for it! Cheers!

Spitzer

Dear Mr Spitzer,
I am not going to get on you for ethics and blah blah because we've got the ever-so-moral- never-get-laid republicans (yeah right!) to do all that.
All I wanna know is....dude...why didn't you call me?????? You were right around the corner spending $80 000... you shoulda let a sista know!!! For my half price 'she don't have to know special'... nobody would have found out about us!!! I don't keep lists and I am not in the habit of lewinsky-ing my dresses. I would have been totally discreet for the price!

Double damn! You shoulda called a sista dude! I coulda used that money!!!

Karma

If you ever learn anything from me, let it be this: Sin's catch up with you. This invariably holds true.

See, I remember 9th grade we had a prefect called Ursula Thompson. I wouldn't say I was a fan of hers, but till my grave, I will recall what she said in our class one day before she graduated: "Life is a circle and what you do here," she illustrated on the board "will find you here again."

Many years later, I have found this to be true. Times aplenty we are under the misconception that we got away with things and then we turn around and the baggage is right behind us! It sucks especially when you know you're sorry for what you did, but sorry doesn't change history. If you're lucky, it lessens the punishment so as it doesn't fit the crime.

I am watching "a mistake" unfold...and it ain't pretty! Somebody did wrong...and their cards are unfolding...and all I can say is bring me the pop-corn because it's about to get down! I mean I know it's wrong to rejoice in someone else's misery...but lawd forgive me!

I really shouldn't be laughing because I think I am paying back for something: not sure what-- or maybe I am in denial of the charges! Okay I think I am know what I am paying for at the moment-- I just don't think it was this serious. Although...only God knows. So I should probably be concentrating on doing penance for that and not laughing at others.....lol...it's STILL funny!!!

I am such a goon! Okay, my issue (among many) with God is that...why doesn't he/she send a memo outlining all the wrong things I do? that we we can quickly resolve things! I mean if it says something like

"Dearest love of my life Manena,

I am of the opinion that you messed up when,

• You made fun of that person at work


• You didn't help that beggar on the street


• You were too damned lazy today man!


• That thing that you did--ummm honey chile that weren't too cool aiight?

Then I would write back and say:

"My dearest God, I am sorry for mistakes I made and this is how I will rectify my error in judgement

1. I will try to understand the person at work a little better and help them change a little so I am not tempted to laugh at them. They may mock me and smack me for what I will say, and I am prepared to bare that cross.


2. I will go back to that street corner and look for that beggar... chances are he's still waiting on me to come back.


3. I will spend all day cleaning the house tomorrow and do most of the laundry tonight


4. I know it weren't cool. I take full responsibility for my action and will await your letter of punishment suggestions.

See that way, no one is shocked and disappointed by things you know? I would be ready for punishment and I would know how long it will last and then I would know what never to risk doing again! Sounds like a plan!

Any way tomorrow, I am doing work for my other agency. I will be working with hospice clients so I might be sounding very bitter over the next few weeks only because they are all in the process of dying. I am excited to be working with Hannah again though! The agency calls us the "Banana" team... Manena Banana and Hannah Banana... a.k.a the 'A' team...because we ALWAYS deliver! So watch this space for more impressive things that I can do:-) Gosh I love all things me so much!!! lol!

Oh and pray for me because a) my body is falling apart! lol...no seriously I have no idea wha a gwan! and b) I am embarking on a new path-- I am not sure if God chose it, or I chose it. Which reminds me... I need to do something important!

International Women's Day

Today is International women's day:-)

So if you haven't celebrated the woman in you yet...I suggest you stop what you're doing and just celebrate!!!!

Check out http://www.internationalwomensday.com/ to read the history of this day.

I thank all the great women in my life starting with my mother...without her strength and perseverance (interpret as: bossy) I wouldn't be most of the woman I am today!

I thank those that have worked hard to ensure women have a fair standing in society, those that protect women from physical and emotional abuse, those that recognize that the differences between a man and a woman are physical and not intellectual (well...that's debatable...I still think women are smarter!)

I thank Margaret Thatcher and Indira Ghandi for showing me in my childhood that women can be heads of countries and do darn good jobs! They gave me the audacity to hope:-) When I'm growed up, I want to be jess like them...okay not really because I want Ban Ki Moon's job because I think it's better than being just a president:-)

I applaud the creator of the brasieres...you are totally awesome! I didn't realize that till today!

The Kite Runner

If you haven't been stressed enough to pick up a copy of the book I suggest you do. Like I said, I opted out of the movie because I really didn't feel like upsetting myself...and trust me, there is one very disturbing part in the book that I don't think one would want to see on screen! That part sets the story in motion, so it's quite important and couldn't be left out.

I think the book is better enjoyed if you can relate to the parts in the beginning. I, as most Zambians would, found that there were several similarities between what the children did during their play time, how their parties were celebrated and understood the juxtapositioned relationship between the master and servant....ect

I loved 'baba' too in the beginning because he was a strong man who seemed morally sane, hard working, ready to do anything for his son...then just like most men, he disappointed me by showing his true colors! How could he not say that Hassan was his son? How could he shamelessly steal his servants wife (the poor man was a sterile cripple with not too much going for him)? Well I guess baba atones for his sins by watching his son grow but not being able to treat him as a son but as a servant and also not knowing where he is and what has become of him for many years. To die and not know here your child is should be a very difficult thing! Oh...yeah did I just ruin the book for you? yeah...baba dies...sorry:-)

Then Hassan...his loyalty. Wow! I like the part where Hassan is described as 'people who mean what they say' and that is so true about me as well for the most part! People like me tend to think other people mean what they say...and it could be described as gullible, which really isn't exactly true. There are just times I think to myself..'why would so and so lie about that when they have no reason to' then i end up believing what they tell me. I personally don't lie unless I have very good cause to, and even then, I lie by omission. So ask me the right questions and you'll get the right answer, or even a partial answer. In general though, I have very poor control of my facial expressions, so really if you want a true response, you had better be looking at my face :-) In any case, if I have something to say to someone it comes out sooner of later... I don't like the stress of unsaid things. I hear you can get cancer from it :-) oh wait! this isn't about me is it???

If you didn't guess that Assef would somehow be with the Taliban or some nasty group like that, then you need to be more observant! I actually thought he would start his own pro- Adolf Hitler group or something...but the Taliban was a fitting group for him!

As for Amir... I was waiting on the drama of finding out Rahim Khan was actually his real father! now that would have made for a dramatic twist!!! I felt sorry for the boy having such a strong father figure because I feel it was somewhat emasculating for Amir!

Any way, If you haven't read the book yet, I hope I enticed you enough to take a peek. I wasn't too excited with the ending...it was anti-climactic... that's just my opinion.

Me

I am supposed to be lounging indoors today, but not sure how long my joy will last because I can see my little buddies showing up to get me out of the house...:-) really all I want to do is eat... like really eat and watch 'pride and prejudice'....or maybe my other fun dvd's. Then maybe I can listen to music and dance.

I am making Nena's not-so-famous ribs today, so I am really looking forward to lunch oh and I have cheesecake too that I need to take care of:-) I am pretending to celebrate cousin M's birthday which was yesterday *happy birthday mama!*... So really in general, I have been celebrating since yesterday...lol

Yesterday was Gabriella's birthday celebration as well...now don't ask me how I got caught up in cooking a HUGE pot of Nshima for the party... and now i feel like I have semi carpal tunnel... dude, I never cook that much nshima! There was so much food though...big sashilad vegetables and another pot of what looked like Katapa...(I should be more observant), then there was fresh tilapia, chicken, sausages, fried rice...ect...you know how we roll zed style:-)

After the pwando...(which I didn't intend to stay there that long for but had to wait for Vicky--who is perpetually late!), I went to Dinner with friends, then we went to coldstone creamery for ice-cream...which I don't understand because we were drinking wine:-), then I went dancing and woke up with serious munchies!!!

Yesterday was also Johnny and Vicky's anniversary...so congrats to you guys....:-) Mwabombeni!!!!

Oh and highlight of the week:- The Joint Commission on accreditation of health care were visiting our hospital this past week and anyone who knows the importance of this visit knows it was no fun tip-toeing about the building and hoping not to run into any of the evaluators!!! We were on extra good behaviour and it was well worth it because guess what??? They found ZERO issues with my hospital...and only 3% of hospital's in the United States of America ever get zero dings!!! So that is quite an accomplishment for the facility and I am proud to be working there! The evaluators where especially impressed with my department... so double joy on my part:-)

Then Thursday night...I suddenly got the urge to write at 11pm...of all the things in the world!!! I had been listening to my baby daddy #5 John Legend...and he inspired me! Can I just tell you that I'm like totally in love with John Legend???? He used to be baby daddy number 6, but he's been promoted... so the list now reads:

1. My real Mr Darcy:-)
2. Mr. After 5...!!! one day i'll get over it...lol!!
3. Mwenge:-) a.k.a bashi Junior!!!
4. tie between Denzel Washington and George Clooney
5. John Legend.... (she don't have to know!)
6. L.L cool J
7. Ne-yo (my sexy love!)
8. Collin firth
9. Salman Khan
10. Bandddddeeeeraaasss!

I was thinking that if one were to write a book about me, it would be entitled 'She danced unshackled'. It just seems fitting:-)...

any way it's chow time!!!

Where have all the real men gone?

"Where have all the real men gone? long time passing. Where have all the real men gone? Long time ago..." (use the Peter, Paul & Mary tune) lets get those guitars and tambourines out... put some flowers in your hair and sing along honey....

Yeah yeah yeah...another rant and rave...!!!

Okay, I am not intending on becoming a professional man basher or anything, but some things gats to be said y'all!!!

I am going to blame women collectively for this big catastrophe! I think we've done it and we have to somehow fix it....if it's even fixable at this time.

There too many men getting in touch with their feelings...and it's just not normal! They sit around and talk about how.."oh my daddy left when I was 8, so it traumatized me and that's why I'm not good with relationships!"....Brotha please!!! You are a grown man now...GET OVER IT!!!

Or my favorite!-- "my father died when I was a teen, so I have attachment issues".... umm luvvy...so did my dad, but I attach just fine! Besides, should the world stand still ten years later for that reason? GET OVER IT!!!

The thing with "modern man" is that you have to sit there and pamper him all damned day! It's like he expects to be breast fed, and have his diaper changed. He has forgotten his role as the provider and prefers to be the provided for. It's like you always have to be like "nyonka daddy...nyo nyo...daddy.." all day long!

I think I will blame those brassiere waving women's rights activists because while they were establishing their place in history... they killed "real man" and manufactured "modern man". Mister --"my mother never used to hug us, so i have intimacy issues"...sugar bunz...ahh, if you can say what your problem is...you're on the right path to healing and should have found the solution by now...okay? GET OVER IT!!!! If you can't then go gay or something dude coz I am tired of your whining...and I can't wipe your snot any more!

If all you depend on is 'modern man's' pay check...y'all will be living on the street, because he rarely has the money for a Manager of domestic affairs (a.k.a house wife). Also, they seem to regress even further once you have children in the house!!!

Also what's with all those tears??? I think I saw my father cry twice in my life time (though he pretended to wash his face!) and both times it was for a good cause-- someone had died. But modern man? he cries for anything!!! I mean I'm not saying don't be emotional, but if you cry at the movies daawgg...then Houston....WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM!!!

This is my petition for the return of real man! The man who knows how to take charge...the hard worker with ambition that doesn't need constant pats on the back to know that he's done well. The provider, the protector, the rescuer (lets have a harp and violin playing in the back ground!)...the suave gentleman who brings FLOWERS to a date, cooks meals occasionally, the romantic fella, mister fix it, the man who understands that breast feeding ends at age One...for most people and earlier for others!

Let all the women with sons correct this error...it's not genetic yet I think. They will blame it on genes in a few more years, but lets try to correct this!

If you have a 'real man'...lady-- kneel and kiss his feet tonight, because that man has earned it! If his mother is still in out midst... please buy her something special for bringing him up in the proper way and making your life easy girl! While we're at it, kiss her feet too...

Oh wait!!!! I just had a BRILLIANT idea! we need to petition government to open 'Council for the Preservation of Real Men' (Ceeprem) (damn I'm good!!!) I could be the president and C.E.O of the company...and I could become the law of what's manly and what's just plain wimpy!!! I could hire Margaret Thatcher to whip 'em into shape!!!

*********************Disclaimer****************************************

This is in no way, shape or form a reflection of men that i have dated, I'm dating or will date in the future (except for that one loser!). So homie don't call me and start asking if I was talking about you! Coz I'll cuss you out!

**********************************************************************

C'mmon!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hotmail is down today!

So it really sucks that hotmail is down today and it's my day to work from home! I am sooooo not happy because most of what i need to do is in my hotmail account! How in the world did i become so dependant on the Internet???? Wait...can I sue the creators of Internet for my addiction? lol... but seriously, this is not fun for me:-)

I should probably do all my serious mailing with another email provider... but I really like my hotmail addy :-) it's like my trademark... The problems with hotmail are just getting ridiculous and worse since they created the "new" look. Microsoft needs to get it together I think!

Also you would think it would give you a "we're working on a problem" error...but no, it just says "can not connect at the moment"...well duh! But why can't we connect?
aaaarrrrrrrrrgggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mariposa

May I be a beautiful butterfly when I grow up:-)

Yesterday was soooooo cold! If summer came tomorrow I wouldn't be the one to complain;)

If you haven't been to Fogo de Chão (fo-go dèe shoun), ...stop depriving yourself and head out to experience the tasty-ness that is fogo! http://www.fogodechao.com/ All I can say is yummy!

I FINALLY went to Bodyworlds... I thought it was okay...nothing new to you if you've had Anatomy and Physiology courses. I mean I think I was expecting the displays to look more real, but they looked too plastic for me. I know they are real bodies...but they still had a major plastic look to them. The worst moment for me was seeing the pregnant woman cut open with the baby visible from her stomach. I think that's what gave the exhibit a 'human' feel. I also wasn't too keen on seeing the week old fetuses with bursting amniotic sacs....

I also made a stop over to the cheesecake factory for my favorite white chocolate raspberry truffle... it is AMAZING! I promise you that!!! I am such a glutton at times and yesterday was no exception:-) The tea there sucks like the food on their menu... so I avoid it at all costs. Actually I hate food from 'chain' restaurants usually, but as I needed to thaw my poor body... I drank the lousy tea:-)

My cousin was sooo excited last night because she had seen the Barak Obama rally in Ohio. She came home screaming 'yes we can'... I also got to see the will-i-am song for Barak on http://www.dipdive.com/ my baby daddy number 10 --John Legend...OMG! He is so delicious looking! He wouldn't even have to speak to me, he could just communicate in song....or just by pointing for what he wants done!!!

Oh...how could I forget this funny story!

Agony is:- getting a new job and being informed that they will have lay offs in a few ...:-)

That was really amusing!... So my supervisor was like it's nothing to worry about... lol!!!

Any way the phone has started again...gotta go....

je suis fatigue!

Can I just tell you all how tired I am? worst of all i get a little cranky when I get tired....and it has been quite tedious at work too!!!
I had a hard time falling asleep last night...and it may have something to do with the full moon (no, i did not see the eclipse...i had better things to do like stare at my face in the mirror...we'll get back to this point!) ...so any way...I believe it has something to do with the full moon that I couldn't sleep. I was really tired, but i just couldn't fall asleep! I did my usual, long bath and hot chocolate...or hot zigolo (hot water and sugar-- for the zambiology challenged among you). I am looking forward to better luck tonight!

Any way...I am consoled that it will be Friday tomorrow...:-)

I was meaning to write more.... but i have received several phone calls during this post and have to abandon my thoughts here.... I was trying to multi task:-)

Oh I have plans to attend a belly dancing competition this weekend...if the weather is right because it is too damned cold... I can not wait for summer!
okay will write more tomorrow:-)

I'm a hustler baybee!

I had the awesomenest weekend ever!!! I know I probably say that all the time...but this time it really was!!! I have been eating free food from Friday to Monday...what's there to complain about???

I went and saw Caramel also known as Sukkar banat (Lebanese), and was as good as I had anticipated. It is a movie directed by Nadine Labaki centered on the day to day lives of some women in Beirut. The director is also the protagonist in the movie-- which probably made her job easier:-). it's about a beautiful sisterhood of women with problems. The main character Layale, is dating a married man who wont leave his wife and takes her through the ringer. Her co-worker and close friend Nisrine is about to get married and her man thinks she's a virgin, when really she's not:-), the other co-worker/ friend Rima is a lesbian-- but i'm not sure if her friends know, though it seemed implied in one of the parts. Jamale an older customer and friend is an ex-actor trying to stay young whose husband has left her for a younger woman. Aunt Rose is the tailor next door who takes care of her older sister Lilly....who is crazzzzzzyyyyyy!!! The woman is like totally demented and sooo funny!!!

Any way, I thought it was a cute story and can not really say more without ruining the good parts for those that want to see it. What was also interesting was the every day lebanese language. It reminds me of how we speak in Zambia using English and any local language just by simple switching in no particular order. It was neat.

Then I was treated to dinner at a Jamaican restaurant on Charles street. The food isn't the best Jamaican I have ever tasted, and there weren't that many people there, so it makes me wonder how they have stayed in business this long. Especially since the state of the toilet was appaling!!! They had tissues stuck in the two available toilets in the ladies room. I was so pressed and disgusted I went into the mens room (no...I am not ashamed!), that was not that much cleaner and had no running water... how disgusting is that???? lucky I had already eaten before making these discoveries! I also indulged in some wine because it was Friday...:-)

Saturday found me in a totally lazy mood. I spent half the day on the phone laughing and acting a fool...okay and partially doing the laundry...and listening to music...and I was already 2 glasses into my wine by the time I arrived at my "date"fashionably late as usual though it was only 5 minutes from my house! I am pathetic sometimes! lol. I had a GREAT evening, (don't worry he's not reading this), but I thought he was super cool. Keep your eyes peeled for more information :-) We spent about 6 hours or so together...which is a record for me, coz that's a long time to be with a non close buddy!

Sunday, I was a big baby and went to my aunts to eat...yes, yes...I know I eat a lot. I am a very healthy looking girl :-). I ate till I almost popped then she made some cocktails and my day was complete:-)

Monday: Ryan got me dinner... the end...lolololol

Tomorrow will be my first day of work since my large pay cut, so I will be quite sour every time I think about it, but there is no room for regret in my life. Totally feeling Nietzche's one quote: 'Amor fati', accept your fate and move on...aka...'get over it!'

I have also come to learn and embrace what biggie meant 'I'm not only the client, I'm the playa president!'...one more chance...baybee...baby give me one more chance....wooo hooo! Life is totally fabulous!

This is...for the lover in you

Happy Valentines day to those of you that have met or are aquainted with my buddy L.O.V.E

I hope you get and give lots of loving (not in that way you dirty bat! you know who you are!)

This is what I think of Valentines day for the rest of us that aren't gonna be in warm corners with that special someone, or probably wont have money to buy that secret love a gift...

Kill the little bugger for not getting the job done right!!!

Oh and remember the FBI warning for us not to open e-cards from strangers coz they might be viruses.... don't go getting all excited that someone finally remembered your lonely behind, or that you have a secret crush...coz it aint gonna happen!

My only consolation is that I have a date on Friday and a date on Saturday... now if they come empty handed... me's never going to see them again. Not that I'm a gold digger or anything (who I'm I kidding?), but it's just datettiquette to bring something with you when you call on a lady (me especially!).

Live and love... and listen to all the love songs in your album because t'is the day for that kind of thing.... and if you just broke up with someone booboo, don't be sad... it will just crapitulate the whole day...:-)

It's an Obamanation

Okay a few interesting facts, that one of you out there might be interested in and probably don't know:

Aside from the fact that this guy has proved me wrong...which is very rare because guys never prove me wrong:-) lol... I am sorry that I had written his political obituary even before he had started looking for votes. Actually even Hillary for that matter has proven my theory slightly wrong. So kudo's to the both of them.

The thing I wanted to say today though is that I found out Mccain's top aide Mark McKinnon (are they both Irish? lol) said that if Obama wins the nomination, he will step down as Mccain's aide!!!! Those are some very strong sentiments right there!

Granted (if I'm not mistaken) Mckinnon was a democrat before he went republican and then he was one of the power tools in getting Bush in the white house.

So I think like I said, when it comes down to the wire... if it's Mccain vs. Obama...dude might have a chance. For that matter if it's Huckabee vs Obama, he would still have a chance!

I still insist that if Hillary is nominated, the dems can forget it and drink guiness or something, coz they aint gonna win:-)

Another bit of info...president G.dabya (after stressing that he wouldn't endorse anyone BTW) sort of endorsed Mccain over the weekend... well I think that's a little like political crucification for Mccain or maybe it will help him. Who knows?

so that's it for now....:-)

(Insert catchy heading here)

Oh I am soooooooo good!!!! I had predicted Ghana v. Cote d'ivoire and that Ghana would win, and then I predicted Egypt would win overall... ask my friend that I bet with:-) I should have added more money to the challenge....nah wah!

It's been an interesting few days...I think I'm either catching a cold or maybe the alkee I over indulged in is catching up, or maybe it's the distressing thing that happened to me regarding facebook:-) and that's all I will say on this matter....Ladies and Gentlemen....The mighty have fallen! Ndiiituuu!

I over booked myself as far as activities are concerned and I am feeling it all catch up. Friday I spent most of the day out..doing stuff. Then Saturday I was out with friends for the usual get together. We did Sushi first, then we went to The Vin restaurant for dessert and of course wine :-) Now I found it rather upsetting that they didn't have my favorite wine on the list any more. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that it is called 'negro/ negra' something, so possibly someone was offended and had it removed which is just pathetic really because they should have consulted me first! That wine was the bomb man!

Dinner was great...and you know you need to cut down on going places when the waitress in a busy restaurant turns and says "nice to see you as usual" The newbies at the table turned to me and asked exactly how often I go there...I responded with a smile because I was too embarrased to say how 'often' I go there. They were like, 'why don't you ask for the usual', i was thinking to myself...'i bet i could', but I didn't test the waitresses knowledge of my likes and dislikes:-) she was too sweet.

I enjoyed the camaraderie and the cosmopolitans and the cute little desserts we ate. I like the fact that the Vin actually serves bite sized desserts, so that way you can eat several different kinds. They make apple crumble and ice-cream in a cappuccino sized cup, and all sorts of other wonders...you know creme brulee, souffles...etcetera. The mangoe and rasberry martinis that they make there are to die for!!! I can still taste them as I sit here typing...ummmm:-) Little miss Asia and I were the two minorities at the table, and we sat at direct angles so we could balance the table dynamics...lol:-)

I also wanted to go out to see http://www.bodyworlds.com/ I didn't have the resolve to do so, so i stayed home instead catering to my other addiction- reading. I am almost done with my book and I will discuss it when I complete it. It seems I was the last to read it because everyone I speak to about it has read it already and wants to start telling me the story....I am like....NNNOOOOO!!!

Oh and you can forget about me giving up cussing, coz that didn't last long! I forgot about my slight tendancies to semi-road rage, so I sinned on day 2. So needless to say, I gave that up and I am now trying to follow the new carbon fast craze...hmmm we'll see how long that lasts:-)

See the issue I have with restraint is that everytime someone tells me I can not do something...I keep hearing that I can in my head and, the more I try to control myself...the harder it gets to abstain from something... mon dieu c'est difficile!!!

Obama is in town tomorrow, so if the weather is condusive and the flesh is willing, then I will go and listen to him speak. I'm sure I will quite enjoy it.

I would also like to see 'Caramel' a movie set in Beirut. I have two escorts to the movie, but can not decide which one to take:-) This is what happens when you're too popular...*hair toss and loud sigh*

woe is meeeeee....I feel sooo under the weather at the moment.

Dust in the wind

all we are is dust in the wind....
Today was ash wednesday...and I have given up using swear words for the duration of lent, and I have also added a new prayer a day:-) aren't I so holy???

So the election looks pretty tight...

Well okay, McCain is a definite and well...hillz and bama are still tugging at the prize. In all, I hope Obama beats Hillz. Not because I like him, but because I don't want her to win that's all:-) I just find her too hollywoody... a real piece-a-work!!

I don't know man...none of the main candidates buzz my biscuits! They just don't give me warm fuzzy's. okay...

McCain:- For one thing...he's like old. Not that I am anti old people or anything...but dude's a walking aneurysm! He's also quite millitary in his demeanor which is a good thing I suppose as he will be running a country:-) I also liked his immigration stance, and a few other things I read about him online (sanctions on apartheid south africa...etc). I do not like his stance on guns, nor that he doesn't support a minimum wage increase. Does he not know the price of gas and that maryland taxes have gone up? shoot!!!
To be fair, I think he is very vested in this country being that he is from a family of navy men and that he fought in Vietnam and was a P.O.W. He has a long enough resume that he should be considered for the job due to all his experience.

Hillary aka Hellary:- I just feel something wrong there. She's also pro-choice and pro- death penalty which doesn't sit well in my tummy. She has an impressive albeit wishy-washy history what with the whitewater scandal, lewinsky, her old ties to the republican party, Iraq...need I say more? But she has come a long way in the scramble for president and I am sure she's a splendid lawyer. She just isn't for me.

Obama:- well being 'the new kid on the block' could work in his favor I think. The decisions of the inexperienced sometimes supercede those of more seasoned people. He has also come a long way! I would say it's quite impressive that an unknown (in comparison to his contenders) guy could sweep through and make this kind of ripple! He is quite the inspirational/ motivational speaker and that's what I really like about him. As for what I don't like:- he supports partial birth abortions and the death penalty. I agree partially with his reasoning to allow women to make their own choice...but he messed up with the partial birth abortion bit.

My main issues that I do not compromise on are gun availability and abortion. I do not see how someone can be pro-life yet support the use of guns. Nor do I comprehend how a person can be pro abortion, yet support the banning of guns (okay I can...but you get the point I am making right?). The rest such as taxes? give to ceasar what belongs to ceasar. .. etcetera.

Pendant le weekend

I am sooo knackered right now, because I think I over did my activities for the weekend:-) and as always, this is not spell checked:-)

Friday, I didn't get to bed till late because I went out for the evening with a group of co-workers and we are planning a trip snow tubing and white water rafting when the weather permits for either activity. You know me! all they had to say was the word wine and I was agreeing to everything:-)

Saturday:- early to rise and off to meet Wagner, then we got to the Baltimore Museum of Arts (BMA), then of course trust my luck, the first movie 'Juju Factory' which I really wanted to see as I am familiar with The Matonge district of Belgium! Well something happened and the film failed. Then on top of all that the writer of the film Balufu Bakupa-Kanyinda was supposed to have come for the screening or the discussion, but he had visa issues and couldn't come! How sucky is that?

Then we saw 'Meokgo and the stick fighter'...it was too artistic for my tastes... I was not really feeling it. I mean it was sci-fi-ish, and I'm not too keen on science fiction, which is why I didn't stay for the last movie 'Les Saignantes' because that was a clearly marked sci-fi :-)

The one I mosted enjoyed would be the Nigerian film, 'Mama Put', it was both sad and hillarious. It's a story about a struggling widow with four kids who develops a strange relationship with some armed robbers. It's sort of like she was dependant on them and they were dependant on her food! It's not in any way shape or form like the Nollywood type movies. This was well written and directed by Seke Somolu and is only 30 minutes...and no you don't have to wait for a senseless sequel!!! It was a real crowd pleaser as evidenced by the loud applause:-)

We also got to see the Matisse exhibit free because of all the technical difficulties they were having. I am not a great fan of the Matisse sculptures, but I find his charcoal and the color paintings quite cool. I wondered into the BMA's little Collection of African artifacts...not really impressed. They had a neat chief Lewanika stool from 1800 Zambia, and that made my day and put a major smile on my face!

After the films, we went out to Donna's restaurant for dinner. First, they sat us in slanting chairs, then the tea was not hot enough and the dude didn't give me enough sugar. So already you can tell I didn't enjoy dinner:-), then the useless waiter gave me the wrong dinner and had the audacity to charge me double...:-) Oh and worst of all, I had to go in and get my own salt from another table???? Needless to say, his tip was $1 and that's only because I was feeling highly generous!

You know, I find tea very personal...I don't enjoy having other people make it for me unless they know me! I really love a great cuppa...it's just one of those simple pleasures I enjoy.

After this, we decided it was best to eat dessert elsewhere, and while we we're walking, I heard a great rendition of Stings 'Shape of my heart' coming out of starbucks...so we walked in and ordered a few warm gooey cookies and listened to Eva Cassidy.

On the way home, I bought 5 putumayo CD's on sale....how happy I'm I??? Over joyed! I also found the most perfect shirt at Cloud 9, in brown...but the bastido's only had huge sizes and even though I wanted to just 'buy it any way' I couldn't do it! The top was $90... It had to fit right for me to get it:-)

Spent the night drinking wine and dancing salsa and didn't get home till late!

Sunday: Went back to watch the rest of the films. First for today was a documentary 'A love during the War' by Osvalde Lewat-Hallade. It's about a couples unplanned separation during the Congolese war in the 1990's and what was going on in the country. It centers mostly on the consequences when rape is used as a weapon and just goes into detail about the astrocities taking place in the eastern part of Congo during this time period...and most likely going on now! They had several rape victims ages ranging from 2 years old to 80 years old. It was quite disturbing.. It allows you to take a short walk in the shoes of several women, one- a 15 year old girl, who is now the mother of a child whose father is unknown. She was taken from her grandmother at age 13 by the militia to "service" them in the forest for a long period of time. She talks matter of factly about the whole incident and sounds as if she feels lucky that she was selected to only sleep with the top 3 men, while her sister's (?) had to sleep with 20 men a piece!

I can not imagine my first sexual experience being rape....I had too many emotions going through me to name just one! So I wont say how I felt because I am not sure I know the right description.

The next film was a funny Ethiopian parable by Taye Workou 'Menged' which displayed what could happen if you take the advice of everyone you meet:-) quite funny actually. We needed it after that heart wretching documentary before.

'Growing stronger' directed by Tsitsi Dangarembga (author of Nervous Conditions). It's a documentary on people living poositively with HIV. It's about the Model Tendayi Westerhof who went public with her HIV positive status while on separation with her husband Clement Westerhof who was a soccer coach from Holland. I "met" Tendayi at a meet and greet of some kind after she went public. I am stunned that when I mention her name a lot of Africans from my region have no clue what I'm talking about! She was in every Southern African tabloid, how could you forget that beautiful face? I think she's really gorgeous! I wasn't that impressed with the documentary itself because I suppose I expected more...but I guess it would help someone live positively.

I was too tired and hungry to see 'Clouds over Conakry' by director Cheick F. Camara... so I left before that started and ended up at someones house for a tête-à-tête. I am home now, feeling really tired...I need to get my old bones to bed! Oh today is the super bowl...which as you can tell I am not watching. I have stakes in the game though. I put some money down on both, so i don't particularly care who wins because I will:-)


If nothing else, this weekend has greatly improved my french! Lack of use has reduced me to franglish or my favorite franja (french-nyanja) i.e je suis nkala dans le mupando! (classic!). Today though, I felt like there was a major improvement as I sat speaking to the man next to me...I was impressed!
I also heard some of the sexiest voices I will ever hear...one's is Roberto Poveda from Cuba and when I heard him croon Sueño Mama, it was over for me!!! The other would be Bebe (pronounced Beh bay), I think siempre me quedara is a really sexy song and goes well with her voice.

I'm sorry....I have just had a really nice weekend:-) I can't help going on and on!