World Cup - Go Africa

So the Brazil is headed home, and the Netherlands is in. I am shocked because everyone assumed that Brazil would do well this world cup. Brazil's departure has just made me believe that maybe, just maybe the "national" African team, Ghana might have a chance. I mean how precious would it be if an African team, was not only in the final, but possibly WON the world cup in Africa.

Sisi, was telling me of the twitter prayer warriors who were praying for Bafana Bafana, and recently for Ghana in their last game and I was a little iffy about that. Not because I do not believe in the power of prayer, I just have always thought performance should be based on talent. But, after watching the game with an ignorant workmate, I think I will call on all help, so we show the rest of the world that we are not only capable of hosting a world class tournament, but we are also talented. So today I say a prayer for our Ghanaian brothers and for those of you who are believers please take a moment to say a prayer for Ghana.

GO GO our African Warriors - GHANAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, our thoughts and prayers are really with you we are so proud of you.

Cleanout

Over the past year I have managed to accumulate a lot of junk. Which is really terrible, because I hate clutter. I have developed this awful I don't care attitude. There are many reasons for my shift in my attitude, one being living with extended family, that does not share the same desire for order as you. And always telling people to please pick up after themself or coming home to a house that is in disarry, eventually you just say if you can't beat them join them. My sister came to visit over Christmas, and knowing my love for order, she said as only as sister can, "Sisi you have really let your home home go." And don't get me wrong my house is not dirty, but just a little disorganized.

So with that in mind I have decided that one of my summer projects is to clean out my house of all unecessary stuff, my first project will be cleaning out my closet. Now this is somewhat of a difficult task, because I love holding onto stuff for sentimental reasons. For instance Sisi put her sweat into making me lovely pants and top in her fashion and fabrics class. Now the top I have worn once, it was a little snug but it fit. However, the pants even at my smallest size, I would never manage to put them on. Then there is the shirt that daddy gave me when I was 16, which still fits because it was baggy, but I do not wear now because it is a little outdated. But, I hold onto it cause it is from daddy. Do I donate that or do I keep it? Oprah says that if you have not worn it in a year then get rid of it. But, then I say my closet would look empty. I don't know what I am going to do or what my cutoff policy will be. But, if anyone has any suggestions please share your wisdom.

So this weekend I will work on organizing my closet, I will post the before and after pictures hopefully there will be a noticeable difference.

Baby Girl and Mama's Summer!!!!

So Baby Girl turns the ONE next month, one people. Where has the time gone. In the past year, I have been amazed with her "evolution". I think back to when I found out I was pregnant and to the day she was born. Each one of those events changed me for the better. But, the greatest privilege though has been watching her grow into a cheerful and lovable little girl.

Though motherhood has been challenging at times from trying to juggle work, being a wife and spending enough time with Baby Girl. There are times when it would just be easier to come home and just plonk myself on the couch after work and watch show after show, and not even spend quality time with my daughter. But I have come to realize that in the hussle and bussle of life it is really important for me to make time for myself, for my husband and Baby Girl or life would just pass me by. So in the spirit of living a fully life I have decided that this summer would be filled with lots of activities. So here is Baby Girl and and my summer bucket list:

1. Take up swimming lessons

My hope is when we move back to Zimbabwe, Baby Girl will not be one of those kids who always has to swim in to shallow end because she cannot swim. Growing up it was so rare to find a black child who knew how to swim. Many of us used the oh my hair will get wet excuse, when really none of us knew how to swim.

2. Go to a petting zoo

Black Zimbabwean town children are taught from a very young age to FEAR animals. And I mean really fear, as in if your dog approaches me I will probably kick it. So when we went to visit my sister in law and her dog came racing my instinct was to pick Baby Girl up so that dog would not have any contact with Baby Girl. But much to my surprise, Baby got down and headed straight for the dog. Touching the the dog's nose, it's eyes and at one point laughing when the dog was licking her face. It was at that point that I realized it would be unfair for me to pass my fears onto my daughter, and hence we are headed to the petting zoo this summer.

3. Kids Science Museum

There is really no back story to this choice of activity. I would just like us to get into the routine of doing educational activities.

4. Go to the beach

I hate the sun and really would prefer to always walk under the shade. But the beach is such a wonderful family outing and would be a wonderful bonding experience for our little three man family.

5. Have a picnic in Central Park.

So this is still a work in progress, and as more things come to mind I will update the list. Also, if any of you have any suggestions of activities that you think would be fun, please let me know. And I will keep you posted on our summer adventures.

Now that I know better, I do better.

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.

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.

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.

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,

was

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.