Did I do that?

Whow!
It’s been a long while since I have been here. Not that I haven’t thought about it.
So much has been happening, yet sometimes, I get lost in my head, and don’t bother to put ‘pen to paper’.

Plus I rather enjoy wandering around in my head.

Now, I don’t believe that resolutions are made to be broken, and yes, I have said this before here, but I will do better. Any bets on how long that resolve will last?

Chyulu Hills Pt.2

As I had mentioned in an earlier post, I went hiking to the beautiful Chyulu hills in Chyulu Hills national park, which is adjacent to spectacular Tsavo game reserve.

Now, I would not classify myself as one who has a fear of heights, and yet, I would rather go up hill, than down hill any day (even if I was on all fours and my center of gravity at the the lowest that still allows forward movement). For some reason, I find descents very challenging, irrespective of the gradient. I like to think that is is because I was not brought up in a house with a staircase, so I never really got familiar with the whole ascending and descending motions.

Anyway, going up the hill was crazy, mostly because I am pretty unfit. Going down hill got me really wary! Fortunately, one lady from the group I took the hike with took hold of my hand and walked with me all the way down, holding steady, supporting, guiding and reassuring me, all the way down.

I was overwhelmed by the kindness of this stranger to whom I spoke for the first time only when she took my hand. Sometimes we think that the human race has lost it, truth is, we are found; found in everyday gestures, found in least likely places, found in the reach of a stranger, found within.

Thanks Lydia.

Dumped

One of the things I definitely need to stop doing is over processing stuff that happens to me, with me and around me, and just live life.

Well, this comes from a bit of a sad place. I feel like I got dumped by a friend. We used to talk quite a bit with the person in question, chat about nothing, everything, draw up plans then, wham! One day we realise we are not quite on the same page, and well, I was shown the door.

Ok, I know I may be a bit selfish in the sense that I do not want to let it go; yet I am very upset and hurt about the way we let things play out.

One of my best friends got dumped (really dumped) by a friend a few years back. She sounded distressed when she told me about it, yet, I don’t think I took it too seriously.

I get it now though.

It hurts. Truth is I miss you. But I am not calling either!

Happy Feet

I’ve been up to many places this month, a welcome change from my “hermit” nature.

So allow me to share, including the marine park, I have visited 5 national parks in 3 weeks. Took one weekend to unwind at the coast, visited with a friend in Narok the next weekend, where we managed to hustle a game drive in the Mara. Following weekend, went for a hike on the beautiful Chyulu hills, and had an early game drive in the Tsavo.

All jam packed but a lot of fun. The Mara was awesome, and catching up with girlfriends is always a joy.

I think my heart resides at the Coast – it’s all I need to unwind: the beach and the sea. I love the people too, very laid back & the food……………..what more could you ask for.

Now, Chyulu hills, was a different story all together. The hike was treacherous, yet what they say is true……no pain, no gain! The view at the top of the hills is breathtaking. Nothing but open spaces, sky, Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance. Couldn’t help but think that one day, I’ll be looking the the Chyulu hills from the top of Mt. Kili. Yes, I said it!

So finally, I’m looking forward to a weekend indoors, at home. And I can truly say I have missed that too. It’s all about balance, and I am liking my happy feet.

Happy Birthday To Me?

I celebrated my birthday a few days ago. A relatively painless feat compared to the last few years. Now this could all be in my mind, but I believe there’s a certain calmness that begins to settle in once you hit a certain age.

Truth be told, I have been in denial about growing old for ever, but as long I am still breathing, I might as well accept the fact that with every breathe, I age…………….yes, you too.

Well, what’s strange is the fact that I am at that point where many of my friends are speaking of family and settling down – makes me wonder if there is a stage I have missed out on – because all that is last on my mind.

Granted, I may be a pseudo romantic: but there is a world of difference between the Hollywood happily ever after and real life.

Anyone out there agree with me?

Proud to be………Kenya Damu!

Yes, like the rest of the world I am a bit caught up in the Olympic games.

China has outdone herself -I am so sad I missed the opening ceremony. From the few clips I have been able to catch on TV and on-line, it looked absolutely sensational.

I am so proud of them, and I hope they win the medal tally – show the world what you are made of!!!! Even in the face of disparaging comments of a president who is guilty of the same crimes he accuses you of in the Middle East. Go China!!

In the same vein, I am still in awe of the intense feeling of pride I experience every time I hear my national anthem played after the great performance of the Kenya team. So far away from home, and with very little input from me (other than painfully submitted taxes and a lot of good will), our team continues to do us proud in very challenging circumstances.

Go Kenya, do us proud. 

Last, but not least: Michael Phelps- 8 medals? Uuuuuuwi!! Jason Dunford, our very own Kenyan representative, this will be you in 2012 – I believe it!!                                                                            

On a lighter note, thank you to all the male swimmers at the Olympics for making the last few days at the office a joy and celebration of the human from. Amen.

Give a little love….

God believes in you. And, I wonder, could you take some of the belief that he has in you and share it with someone else? Max Lucado

I read the above statement yesterday and it keeps playing in my mind.

It has such profound implications on how we relate to each other: those people we like, dislike, those we think owe us, those we owe, family,  friends, strangers, those we hate to love, those we love to hate..

I tend to be self righteous (don’t we all), yet now I am reconsidering all the reasons I have chosen to keep people I hold dear at arms length because of some perceived wrong they have done to me..

At the end of the day, we are all human – what’s so special about me? If there is something special in me it’s because there is something special in us all.

Could I take the belief God has in me and share it with others?

Great Expectations

When people around me do not meet my expectations and I feel disappointed, I must appreciate that it is not them that have disappointed me so much as I, who has disappointed myself.

I decided independently what to expect, so I should independently bear the outcome, positive or negative. The lesson here is may be some times, we expect too much from people around us. Maybe what we ought to do is expect less and do more.

NB. As I started typing the post, I used the plural “we” instead of “I”, and realised that it was just a way of hiding from what I was saying, because it applied to me as opposed to anyone else at the time of posting. But if it sounds a bit close to home, feel free to borrow.

Back to the Grind – future musings

I’m back to the office after a week off. Suffice to say that I had an even stronger bond with my bed this morning. Sitting in-front of my lap top, toiling (or trying to toil) away, I couldn’t help but wish I could teleport home – literally!!!

This is not a matter of wishful thinking as much as timing. I truly believe that teleportation will become a reality. Now, maybe I watch too many sci-fi movies, but these guys can’t just create something out of nothing, right? And I can’t wait. I imagine the only worry would be the thought of misplacing some of your body parts in the process – I find the thought quite hilarious actually. Would “Teleporting Companies” have to establish some sort of ‘Lost and Found’ department. And where would this department be? in the space/ time between the two ports?

Fascinating. I guess it isn’t time yet for those questions nor answers – or maybe someone somewhere knows it all already and is waiting for the right time to unleash…………

Well they had better do it soon – because the price of fuel is becoming ridiculous, and we really require relief, right?

Change of Mind

I’ve decided to make more of this blogging tool than I have. Logging in I saw that I had 3 posts – I must say I am quite impressed. I expected fewer.

Now, I do not know why I started up the blog, if I did not intend to share, or at least update regularly.

I will confess though, I find the idea of personal blogging a bit vain……………….yes vain. Let’s admit it, if it is personal – why is it online for the whole world to access?

Would you leave a personal diary in a public space for free for anyone to access? I don’t think so……..

But here we are, blogging, and reading each other’s blogs.

My conclusion, with a blog, we (or I) feel that we have a chance to leave a mark in the world. A bit like having a child. It is a hope that what is shared will somehow have an eternal bearing.

Well, my birthing begins.