Don't trust everyone you meet!

When I first arrived in Nairobi, my Namibian friend who is married to a Kenyan man warned me about conman. When she explained to me about how she has lost money trying to buy a car etc, I was saying to myself that, how can I let someone full me you know? Not long ago I received a note from my son's school telling me to pay for the music lessons that I have paid already. If not of the security for my son, I could have mentioned the school's name because they have pissed me off. Once my son leaves this school, I'll re-post and mention the school's name. At the beginning of the term we all received a letter stating that the owner of the school has fired the secretary because she stolen money. I could not believe that this lady did this, because she was one of the reasons I registered my son to this school. She was very nice, and inviting, always smiling, and making us feels welcome. When I visited other schools, some secretaries didn't smile etc. Since the school has started, my son told me he was taking computer and music lessons; thus I thought they made a mistake that I paid for both the computer, and music. I was just thinking that maybe she has made mistakes that some parents paid for two activities, but I was not sure how to ask them. So when I received the note asking me to pay for the music lessons, I thought in the system it says we have paid for computer, because last term we paid for the computer. I wrote them back and told then that we have paid for music not for the computer. On top of that, I went to the school with the receipt. The new secretary asked me to leave the receipt with her to show to the music teacher. I was not comfortable with her request thus I asked her to give me a note that says I have left her with my receipt. The following day I returned for my receipt, and she called the owner of the school to talk to me. She said, she had seen my receipt and it does not have her school stamp. I was just in shock. So I asked her "what do you want me to do". She had fired the previous secretary one week after the school reopened because she claimed that she has stolen from her. She kept insisting that why did I accept a receipt without a stamp? I told her that she should inform all the new parents to accept only stamped receipts. She said all over Kenya the government has announced never to take receipts without stamps. Hallow I'm not from Kenya, and I don't know everything that is going on here. She kept on saying that everywhere in the world people accept receipts with stamps only. I have lived in the US for the past 8 years, and I don't remember receiving a hand written receipts with a stamp on it especially when I pay for an on going service like school fees etc because everything is computerized. Even if I had lived in Kenya for over 5 years, and was aware of the situation, people do make simple mistakes. It's not impossible to overlook a simple receipt. Ok if the secretary has conned me, is that my fault? My mistake was paying by cash. If I have paid by check then I don't even have to prove my points to her, just show her the bank statement period. Maybe if she computerize her system, she can avoid these issues. I have learned my lesson, never ever pay by cash especially when you move to new places. If you have no check use money order or something like that.

Out of Africa!

Few months ago I had an opportunity to visit Karen Museum. This is the house that Karen Blixen lived when she was in Kenya. There is a book and a movie "Out of Africa" about the life of Karen Blixen in Africa. From 1914 - 1931, Karen, the daughter of a wealthy Danish family, arrives in Africa in 1914 to marry Baron Bror von Blixen, her second cousin with whom she shares a desire to lead a more exciting life. The filming took place in her first house "Mbogani", close to the museum. You can see the outside of the home here. Pictures taken by Helvi!

Kids Summer Party Nairobi, Kenya

My B-day!

When I woke up, I was so sleepy. I asked my son to go and get something while I tried to sleep for two more minutes. When we came back, he came back with a big smile on his face, and then he jumped up and said: "Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to you..." With great excitements on his face. He sang the entire song, and even remembered my age. This was the greatest gift ever. At the end he hugged me and told me that he loves me. At night we went out for dinner, and when we returned, our neighbors prepared great food for my b-day. It was great!

My Childhood Memories!

About 7 years ago, I started writing a story about my childhood memories. I spent almost 10 years in exile (refugee camps in Angola and Zambia). while I was living in these two camps, there were many good, bad, and funny adventures that I want to share with the world. When I started my Masters degree, I decided to put this project aside. After my graduate degree, I wanted to take a long break to refresh my brain, and enjoy time with my family. I think I'm ready to pick up this project. I want to give myself 1year to complete it. When we go to Namibia this year, my goal is to compile all the exile pictures, and any other piece of information to help improve my book. I'll keep you posted on the progress once a month.

Mother's day!

Today is a special day to celebrate. Being a mother is a wonderful yet challenging. You can't get enough sleep even though you are not breastfeeding at night anymore, you don't have privacy, your sister or friend calls you, and you tell them to hold on 10 times in three minutes. You can't finish eating a meal for straight three days without getting up to get a cup of milk, or help someone go to the potty, or give them more food, and the list goes on. But when I look at it at the end of the day, it's worth it. Those smiles, and hugs are the best gifts ever. For a while I have been searching for an idea to run a small business from home. I finally discovered it, little did I knew that after publishing my first book, the work has just began. Marketing a book is not an easy task. Today I came across this article:How to market and promote a book I have learned a few good tips, and I'm still searching for ways to market my book/books. Happy mother's day!

Eve's Wedding

During the first week of April, Ndamona and I went to Eve's wedding in Karen. This was one of the best wedding I've seen in Kenya. Great decorations, great food, and great weather. The family and friends, danced, and sang some traditional dances and songs. I said to myself, "wow, this is similar to how we do it in Namibia." I wish Eve and her husband a blessed life together.

Eve and Sophie's mom dancing on the left waving and dancing!

Ndamona, Sophie and I

Let's dance!