Hello folks, I just need to vent a bit. So darling husband started a business a few months ago and has been traveling like crazy. I really have been trying to be supportive, because I want him do what makes him happy. However, his being away so much is really tough. Not just because looking after the baby by myself is stressful, but also when I was growing up my father traveled a lot and I had hoped it would be different for my daughter. I suppose only time will tell.
In any event, winter is gone and summer is here. So tomorrow baby girl will be going for her first swim. I am so excited. Will let you know how things go.
Well friends have a wonderful weekend and those with good weather enjoy it.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
I am back I hope
I have really neglected my blog. Since my last post so much has happened. For one the weather is finally warming up. I absolutely, absolutely hate winter and this winter just seemed to be the worst winter. We had a foot or more of snow in one day, I mean really. But, the summer is coming so I am over the moon.
But, I think the greatest change or changes have been with my precious, precious daughter. She is now ten months and where has the time gone. Over the past ten months I have watched her develop into a little person. I have watched her learn how to sit, crawl and now she is learning to walk. Baby girl has brought so much joy into my life. There are days when I just think of what a blessing she is in my life and how I got the privilege of becoming her mother. Her smile melts my heart. Sometimes I just sit and watch her sleep, how corny right. Being a mother is really the best gift I could have received. My hope, is to be the best mother she needs or would ever wish for.
But, I think the greatest change or changes have been with my precious, precious daughter. She is now ten months and where has the time gone. Over the past ten months I have watched her develop into a little person. I have watched her learn how to sit, crawl and now she is learning to walk. Baby girl has brought so much joy into my life. There are days when I just think of what a blessing she is in my life and how I got the privilege of becoming her mother. Her smile melts my heart. Sometimes I just sit and watch her sleep, how corny right. Being a mother is really the best gift I could have received. My hope, is to be the best mother she needs or would ever wish for.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
My Best Friend Molly
For past few weeks I have really negelected my blog. My hope at the start of the new year, was to atleast write one blog a week, but I have failed to keep up. Life got the best of me between working 6 days a week because this is "busy season" for the accounting firms, balancing being a wife and above all a "good" mother my blogging has suffered. As a way to cope I have turned to my most trusted friend. She has been there for me through the years, and thought how nice it would be to dedicate this particular blog to my best friend Molly.
Molly has been there for me through good and bad, the highs and the lows. I have probably known her since I was born. My mom was the first one who introduced us and from that point on we have been inseparable. Molly has the ability to change or adjust to mood I am in. At my lowest points she is probably the only thing I can turn to and know for sure she will accept me the way I am. She is extremely versitile and has the ability to blend and bring people together. The one of many charachteristics I have always admired about Molly. One word I would use to describe Molly is AMAZING and I look foward to us growing old together. So let me introduce you to some of the pictures I love of Molly:
1. Molly in Thailand - Chicken Pad See Ew:
Ingredients
•1 tablespoon sugar
•1/2 cup pork, thinly sliced (shimp, beef and chicken can be use if desire)
•2 tablespoons light soy sauce
•2 cloves garlic, chopped
•1 lb fresh flat white rice noodles
•1 egg
•1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
•1 lb Chinese broccoli
2. Molly is known by many in Jamica and this is how she blends in:
This is Molly at her best Jamaican stlye. When she dressed up like this I love to have her with rice or sadza.
INGREDENTS:
1 oxtail about 2-2.5 lb. Cut up
4 tblsp. cornflour
2 tblsp. cooking oil
Salt and Black pepper
4 rashers (slices) Bacon (Sugar cured, rindless)
2 medium onions sliced
1 clove garlic crushed
4 carrots pared and sliced
1 cup peeled chopped tomatoes
1 pint (16 fl. Oz) hot water
2 stalks green onions finely sliced
1 spring thyme
1 can butter beans (Lima beans)
3. Molly as Malva Pudding:
INGREDIENTS FOR PUDDING
Flour 1 Cup
Sugar 1 Cup
Baking powder 1 teaspoon
Bicarbonate of soda 1 teaspoon
Vinegar 1 teaspoon
Vanilla essence 1 teaspoon
Butter ¼ tablespoon
Apricot jam 1 tablespoon
Egg 1
Milk 1 cup
METHOD
Beat ingredients for pudding together
Bake at 180 degrees for approximately 40 minutes
Once baked remove from oven and poke with fork
Pour syrup over while still hot
Arrange malva pudding on plate with chocolate garnish
Serve with peppermint ice cream
So now that I have introduced you too my lovely friend, please share some favorite moments or versions of your Molly, lolol. As you may have noticed I love food and have even proceeded to name my food, crazy. My relationship with it has been a little lob sided. I have taken advantage of it and managed to put on too much weight. So I am now trying to still enjoy my relationship with Molly but make it more balanced. Also, I am trying to build a book of healthy but taste receipes, so please share your favorite versions of your Molly.
Molly has been there for me through good and bad, the highs and the lows. I have probably known her since I was born. My mom was the first one who introduced us and from that point on we have been inseparable. Molly has the ability to change or adjust to mood I am in. At my lowest points she is probably the only thing I can turn to and know for sure she will accept me the way I am. She is extremely versitile and has the ability to blend and bring people together. The one of many charachteristics I have always admired about Molly. One word I would use to describe Molly is AMAZING and I look foward to us growing old together. So let me introduce you to some of the pictures I love of Molly:
1. Molly in Thailand - Chicken Pad See Ew:
Ingredients
•1 tablespoon sugar
•1/2 cup pork, thinly sliced (shimp, beef and chicken can be use if desire)
•2 tablespoons light soy sauce
•2 cloves garlic, chopped
•1 lb fresh flat white rice noodles
•1 egg
•1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
•1 lb Chinese broccoli
2. Molly is known by many in Jamica and this is how she blends in:
This is Molly at her best Jamaican stlye. When she dressed up like this I love to have her with rice or sadza.
INGREDENTS:
1 oxtail about 2-2.5 lb. Cut up
4 tblsp. cornflour
2 tblsp. cooking oil
Salt and Black pepper
4 rashers (slices) Bacon (Sugar cured, rindless)
2 medium onions sliced
1 clove garlic crushed
4 carrots pared and sliced
1 cup peeled chopped tomatoes
1 pint (16 fl. Oz) hot water
2 stalks green onions finely sliced
1 spring thyme
1 can butter beans (Lima beans)
3. Molly as Malva Pudding:
INGREDIENTS FOR PUDDING
Flour 1 Cup
Sugar 1 Cup
Baking powder 1 teaspoon
Bicarbonate of soda 1 teaspoon
Vinegar 1 teaspoon
Vanilla essence 1 teaspoon
Butter ¼ tablespoon
Apricot jam 1 tablespoon
Egg 1
Milk 1 cup
METHOD
Beat ingredients for pudding together
Bake at 180 degrees for approximately 40 minutes
Once baked remove from oven and poke with fork
Pour syrup over while still hot
Arrange malva pudding on plate with chocolate garnish
Serve with peppermint ice cream
So now that I have introduced you too my lovely friend, please share some favorite moments or versions of your Molly, lolol. As you may have noticed I love food and have even proceeded to name my food, crazy. My relationship with it has been a little lob sided. I have taken advantage of it and managed to put on too much weight. So I am now trying to still enjoy my relationship with Molly but make it more balanced. Also, I am trying to build a book of healthy but taste receipes, so please share your favorite versions of your Molly.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Whose marriage is it really?
So it is 10:51 pm and I got home about an hour and a half ago. On my way home I was listening to a podcast that I downloaded from blog talk radio by Vera, and the topic up for discussion was "Why should I get married". This was an extremely thought provoking conversation and I am so disappointed that I did not have the opportunity to call in. So I figured I would give my thoughts really quick.
A few people who participated in the discussion, raised some interesting points regarding marriage. The point that comes to mind, however,
one that was raised by a single lady. She stated that she really did not think marriage was worth it, because she had seen so many people's marriages that had failed or were not model marriages. In essence marriage was not a great thing. (Granted this is not the direct quote, but that was the general idea.) If I had the opportunity to call in, this would have been my response to her comment.
After being married for almost six years now, there is one thing I know for sure. Marriage is a challenge and each day takes a lot off work and commitment. And though it is vital for married couples or even single people to have marriages they admire or look up to, basing your whole perception of marriage on other people's lives is incorrect for many reasons. For one people are emotional beings and fall short in their life walk. And even when they do not want to disappoint their admirers, parents, observers and even themselves, disappointment happens. So as opposed to single people and married people basing their lives or relationships on how other people live or conduct their marriages or relationships, INDIVIDUAL relationships should be based on ones own set of values, beliefs and life experiences. For some it may be the bible or something else, but at the end of the day your relationship should be defined by your own experiences not by other peoples'. Why should the manner in which other people conduct their personal lives determine your individual lives. With that said I think each person has free will and should dance to the beat of their own drum, learn how to improve their own rhythm but that of those around them.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tiger Who?
So for the past couple of weeks we have heard the reporters, and every news outlet go on and on about Mr Tiger Woods. And after weeks of him hiding. The search was been on to find Tiger. Was he in South Africa? Was he in really in sex rehab? At some point a picture of Tiger was valued at $1,000,000. A picture of some man who decided to "step out" on his "old lady" mmmmm.
So after 80 some days of being untraceable Mr. Tiger woods resurfaced on Friday 20th 2009 and held a press speech lasted 15 minutes. He controlled who attended the press conference and no one could ask any questions. And during the press conference the American stock market dipped to it's lowest daily trade and then picked up after the speech, showing that everyone was watching Tiger repent.
So I ask the question should the actions of one stupid man really impact our lives so much. At the end of the day he does not pay a single one of our bills. He does not care whether or not we succeed or fail. Why should anyone care whether or not Tiger apologizes or not. Who is Tiger, but some golfer. Is this what our society has become that we thrieve on other peoples failures so much that even the stock market ceases to function efficiently, because Tiger is having a press conference to show how sorry he is. Whether or not he apoligizes to his wife is that really anyone's business. We should all mind our own business and deal with our own issues. Just a thought.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Random Ramblings on Haiti
When the earthquake struck in Haiti, for atleast the first week, every news program reported on this terrible disaster. If you turned on MSNBC they were talking about Haiti, even Fox was talking about Haiti, at that time Haiti was the story of the moment. However, 3 weeks after the earthquake only a handful continue to report or even mention this tragedy, and one of them is the very knowledgable CNN's Anderson Cooper. I enjoy listening to Anderson because for the most part he seems objective, which is an extremely rare quality when you listen to some of these reporters.
However, yesterday when I listened to a report that Anderson did on the Haitian government's disregard of the bodies of those who died in the earthquake I was slightly disappointed. According to Anderson, since the earthquake the Haitian government's strategy, has been to collect the bodies from the street and bury them in mass graves. Granted, as Anderson correctly pointed out this is not the way any of us would want our loved ones to be buried and those who died deserved a proper burial. But, I think when you are not dealing with the circumstances, it is really easy to judge how everything is being done incorrectly. I pose this question: Should the priority be burying people with dignity or insuring that those who are still alive remain living. Should we not be asking why a plethora of supplies from NGOs and other countries are still sitting at the airport. Is the Haitian government ensuring that they bury people with dignity really the most important issue right now?
But what do I know, I just thought I should share my thoughts.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
However, yesterday when I listened to a report that Anderson did on the Haitian government's disregard of the bodies of those who died in the earthquake I was slightly disappointed. According to Anderson, since the earthquake the Haitian government's strategy, has been to collect the bodies from the street and bury them in mass graves. Granted, as Anderson correctly pointed out this is not the way any of us would want our loved ones to be buried and those who died deserved a proper burial. But, I think when you are not dealing with the circumstances, it is really easy to judge how everything is being done incorrectly. I pose this question: Should the priority be burying people with dignity or insuring that those who are still alive remain living. Should we not be asking why a plethora of supplies from NGOs and other countries are still sitting at the airport. Is the Haitian government ensuring that they bury people with dignity really the most important issue right now?
But what do I know, I just thought I should share my thoughts.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Life lessons
When I started this blog, my hope was to make an entry every week. But, alas I got side tracked by the happenings of life. But, my hope is that the intervals or time lag between my posts will improve. So here goes:
1. My friend Rose
This past weekend, something happened that made me pause and think about what is really important. On Sunday morning my friend's husband called me to let me know that her brother had passed away. Like a good friends I dropped everything and rushed to her be by her side. When we got there I found my friend "Rose" alone in her room crying her eyes out. The sight of seeing my friend sitting on the floor under her duvet broke my heart. Not only had she lost her brother unexpectedly, she had to mourn with her family over the phone. She was unable to monitor how her mother was coping with having to bury her fourth child. It was at that point I realized how helpless one can feel when living abroad. Though Rose had her new make shift family (i.e. her diaspora friends) around to support her by just saying, "Sorry hako Rose, Sorry hako shamwari yangu" (I am sorry my Rose) it was definitely would not be the same as being around her remaining brothers and sisters.
When I was younger, I nevre really understood why my mother dragged us to funerals where we had to sit on the hard cement floors and watch random women who had just arrived from the ruseva (rural areas) throw her bags on the ground and start waling hysterically from the gate so that everyone sitting in the house knew that that kwazvika munhu anochema (someone who really knows how to cry has arrived). I never appreciated people gathering for days on end before burying someone. Or why at every funeral there was that one woman who was not reverent to the fact that someone had died and cracking jokes was just not appropriate.
However, as I sat with Rose in her bedroom and I could not help but notice how she hard she was trying not to cry, so that I would not feel uncomfortable. While I on the other hand was thinking to myself, "Lord please may one tear, just one tear come out so that I can cry or mourn with my friend, and not seem as though I am being insensitive". It was at that moment that I understood and appreciated how we carried out our funerals back home. I apprecuated the woman who came from the rural areas and cried uncontrolably even though she never really had a relationship with the person who had just passed away. Her theatrical crying gave the grieveing family members the opportunity to cry without feeling awkward and the opportunity dzekupedza shungu dzekuchema. But, in addition the theatrical cryer also helped those like myself who are not really moved to cry on cue, not come across as insensitive.
I also realized that those women veruwadzano, with their ngoma's and hoshos who sang for days on end, played an important part aswell. Their sing for a few moments distracted the grieving family from the pain of their loss. And that irreverant woman she too had a role, it was to fill in those awkward moments of silence that seem never to end when you are alone with someone who is grieving. And even the irreverant woman's jokes not only filled those voids but also lifted people's spirits.
I don't know what I will do the next time I have to go and comfort one of my friends, but maybe if I incorporate a little of all those women I saw growing up I guess it will ease the awakardness.
2. The Days of Gwisai's Life Update
In my last post we learnt that after Gwisai's future "baby mama" had faked her pregnancy and many parellels could be made between real life drama and TV drama. And accordingly the Gwisai Memory scandal continues.
So after being burnt by lady love, Gwisai decided that life away from his mother was really tough. So he decided that at age 28 the best way to recover from this traumatic event was to move back to his mother's home. Now if this was the best move, it really depends who you ask but I say, to each is own. But, I love the drama that surrounds this guy because it gives me something to write about.
So as mentioned earlier Gwisai decided to move out of his to move out of his twon house and move back in with his parents. But, Memory was not going to go down without a fight. She secretly began watching Gwisai's daily moves. When he went to work and when he returned. One day while Gwisai was driving back home, he slowed down to turn into the road that led to his family's home. And waiting at the corner, sure enough was Memory. I figure she had finally mustered up the courage to ask Gwisai to take her back. I assume that when Gwisai saw her he slowed down, rolled down the window and asked her what she wanted. Memory I assume, tried to plead with Gwisai and explain that she was the only one for him. And she would not let her go because what then followed is nothing short of thetrically. Gwisai told her they were not going to get back together, she then jumped into the the back of the Mazda B1600 and refused to get out. Now you may ask why not just pick her up and get her out of the car. Well apparently Memory is a big girl and moving her wpuld not an easy task. And her size was also one of the reasons given why noone had noticed she was not pregnant. In any event after refusing to remove herself from Gwisai's B1600, Gwisai's lawyer instinct told him to drive to the police station and have them deal with her. Upon his arrival at the ZRP (Zimbabwean Republic Police) station, the officers on duty told Gwisai that they were unable to remove Memory from his car, as this was a domestic issue and the best way to handle this was to go kwatete discuss the issue. Well Gwisai knowing his rights, told the police that until they removed the intruder in his car, he would not remove the car from the ZRP parking lot. Unbeknownst to Memory, Gwisai had proceeded to leave the police station and return back home. Memory determined to win Gwisai back decided tospend the night in the back of the open truck. The next morning during the a shift change one of the officer went over to Memory and said "Iwe munhu wawakamirira akaenda nzuro enda kumba." (You the person you are waiting for left yesterday go home). A disappointed Memory picked herself up and went where ever her home was. A few days later she went to the Mupandawana's residence to let Mai Mupandawana that she was pregnant again. And of course it was Gwisai's baby.
3. The lesson Dhedhi taught me
Growing up I always admired dhedhi (daddy)'s ability to acknowledge when he was wrong or had hurt your feelings. No matter how big or small the offence, if dhedhi came to the realization that he was wrong or he had hurt you he always made sure he said "sorri bhabi". Two days ago I had a disagreement with one of my best friends. I felt that she wronged me and in response I said some stuff that was not only unnecessary but mean spirited. I later apologized to her and she graciously accepted my apology, but I knew that it was not my greatest moment. I am fortunate that dhedhi taught me that I should never be ashamed to apologize because if I had not done so I could have lost one of my greatest friends. Thank God for Dhedhi and thank God for gorgiving friends.
1. My friend Rose
This past weekend, something happened that made me pause and think about what is really important. On Sunday morning my friend's husband called me to let me know that her brother had passed away. Like a good friends I dropped everything and rushed to her be by her side. When we got there I found my friend "Rose" alone in her room crying her eyes out. The sight of seeing my friend sitting on the floor under her duvet broke my heart. Not only had she lost her brother unexpectedly, she had to mourn with her family over the phone. She was unable to monitor how her mother was coping with having to bury her fourth child. It was at that point I realized how helpless one can feel when living abroad. Though Rose had her new make shift family (i.e. her diaspora friends) around to support her by just saying, "Sorry hako Rose, Sorry hako shamwari yangu" (I am sorry my Rose) it was definitely would not be the same as being around her remaining brothers and sisters.
When I was younger, I nevre really understood why my mother dragged us to funerals where we had to sit on the hard cement floors and watch random women who had just arrived from the ruseva (rural areas) throw her bags on the ground and start waling hysterically from the gate so that everyone sitting in the house knew that that kwazvika munhu anochema (someone who really knows how to cry has arrived). I never appreciated people gathering for days on end before burying someone. Or why at every funeral there was that one woman who was not reverent to the fact that someone had died and cracking jokes was just not appropriate.
However, as I sat with Rose in her bedroom and I could not help but notice how she hard she was trying not to cry, so that I would not feel uncomfortable. While I on the other hand was thinking to myself, "Lord please may one tear, just one tear come out so that I can cry or mourn with my friend, and not seem as though I am being insensitive". It was at that moment that I understood and appreciated how we carried out our funerals back home. I apprecuated the woman who came from the rural areas and cried uncontrolably even though she never really had a relationship with the person who had just passed away. Her theatrical crying gave the grieveing family members the opportunity to cry without feeling awkward and the opportunity dzekupedza shungu dzekuchema. But, in addition the theatrical cryer also helped those like myself who are not really moved to cry on cue, not come across as insensitive.
I also realized that those women veruwadzano, with their ngoma's and hoshos who sang for days on end, played an important part aswell. Their sing for a few moments distracted the grieving family from the pain of their loss. And that irreverant woman she too had a role, it was to fill in those awkward moments of silence that seem never to end when you are alone with someone who is grieving. And even the irreverant woman's jokes not only filled those voids but also lifted people's spirits.
I don't know what I will do the next time I have to go and comfort one of my friends, but maybe if I incorporate a little of all those women I saw growing up I guess it will ease the awakardness.
2. The Days of Gwisai's Life Update
In my last post we learnt that after Gwisai's future "baby mama" had faked her pregnancy and many parellels could be made between real life drama and TV drama. And accordingly the Gwisai Memory scandal continues.
So after being burnt by lady love, Gwisai decided that life away from his mother was really tough. So he decided that at age 28 the best way to recover from this traumatic event was to move back to his mother's home. Now if this was the best move, it really depends who you ask but I say, to each is own. But, I love the drama that surrounds this guy because it gives me something to write about.
So as mentioned earlier Gwisai decided to move out of his to move out of his twon house and move back in with his parents. But, Memory was not going to go down without a fight. She secretly began watching Gwisai's daily moves. When he went to work and when he returned. One day while Gwisai was driving back home, he slowed down to turn into the road that led to his family's home. And waiting at the corner, sure enough was Memory. I figure she had finally mustered up the courage to ask Gwisai to take her back. I assume that when Gwisai saw her he slowed down, rolled down the window and asked her what she wanted. Memory I assume, tried to plead with Gwisai and explain that she was the only one for him. And she would not let her go because what then followed is nothing short of thetrically. Gwisai told her they were not going to get back together, she then jumped into the the back of the Mazda B1600 and refused to get out. Now you may ask why not just pick her up and get her out of the car. Well apparently Memory is a big girl and moving her wpuld not an easy task. And her size was also one of the reasons given why noone had noticed she was not pregnant. In any event after refusing to remove herself from Gwisai's B1600, Gwisai's lawyer instinct told him to drive to the police station and have them deal with her. Upon his arrival at the ZRP (Zimbabwean Republic Police) station, the officers on duty told Gwisai that they were unable to remove Memory from his car, as this was a domestic issue and the best way to handle this was to go kwatete discuss the issue. Well Gwisai knowing his rights, told the police that until they removed the intruder in his car, he would not remove the car from the ZRP parking lot. Unbeknownst to Memory, Gwisai had proceeded to leave the police station and return back home. Memory determined to win Gwisai back decided tospend the night in the back of the open truck. The next morning during the a shift change one of the officer went over to Memory and said "Iwe munhu wawakamirira akaenda nzuro enda kumba." (You the person you are waiting for left yesterday go home). A disappointed Memory picked herself up and went where ever her home was. A few days later she went to the Mupandawana's residence to let Mai Mupandawana that she was pregnant again. And of course it was Gwisai's baby.
3. The lesson Dhedhi taught me
Growing up I always admired dhedhi (daddy)'s ability to acknowledge when he was wrong or had hurt your feelings. No matter how big or small the offence, if dhedhi came to the realization that he was wrong or he had hurt you he always made sure he said "sorri bhabi". Two days ago I had a disagreement with one of my best friends. I felt that she wronged me and in response I said some stuff that was not only unnecessary but mean spirited. I later apologized to her and she graciously accepted my apology, but I knew that it was not my greatest moment. I am fortunate that dhedhi taught me that I should never be ashamed to apologize because if I had not done so I could have lost one of my greatest friends. Thank God for Dhedhi and thank God for gorgiving friends.
Well friends till next time. Happy thanks giving to those of you in the States.
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