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!

Happy Birthday Ndamona

Ndamona dancing to the music!

This year we planned to buy a cake for Ndamona, and few gifts. Apart from the cake we decided to buy drinks, candies, then make some barbecue. Later that day we decided to call few neighbors, and friends. The interesting thing was that even though I have talked to my neighbor about buying a cake for Ndamona few days ago, her children came one buy one to just make sure I was telling the trueth about the party. I laughed so hard; furthermore, when the first one went down to tell the youngerone, she decided to come and see for herself too. When I went to tell my other neibour, she laughed, and I had to tell her twice that it's really my daugheters birthday. In a nutshell, the birthday party ends up greater than I imagined. The children had so much fun. There was music, kids played games, and ate great food. People could not believe Brian can make the best Nyamachoma/barbecue, even though he's a vegetarian. Happy Birthday Ndamona. We are wishing you a blessed birthday, and many more years to come!

Friend's B-day Party!

Naimi about t blow his candles.

Berhane and Salma jumping castles

Berhane was invited at a birthday party by one of his classmates. It was a fun party. Happy birthday Naimi. Ndamona had fun too.

Full Time Mom!

Who knew after years of schooling and working in the professional world, my toughest job yet would be "Full Time Mom." I don't remember sending a resume, or the interview process, but I must have impressed someone. I've had the position for two years now and heard through the grapevine that I will not be let go so long as I continue to provide plenty of juice boxes and sandwiches. For those of you thinking about taking the position, please take a moment to consider if you have the required credentials. First, understand there are no special degrees or certificates that you can acquire at a local college to prepare you for this position. All qualifications and skills are developed on the job. Secondly, the training is intense. You must be able to multi-task while functioning on less than 4 hours sleep on a daily basis. The hours are long and evening work is mandatory. Time off is an aberration. This position will also affect your personal life. Hobbies will be replaced by a mandatory reading list. Long gone are books by Mary Higgins Clarke and John Grisham. Instead you will be reading "How to Stop Your Toddler's Temper Tantrums" and "Goodnight Moon." Your taste in music will change as well. You will put on any CD that will keep a child quiet for the duration of a car ride even if that means you will be listening to Elmo singing a cappella with Big Bird. If you take the position, you will develop a new "on the job" vocabulary which will include words and phrases such as "potty", "time out", "stop hitting your sister" and of course, "hurray for nap time." You will say all of these phrases at least five times a day without exception. Additional skills will include: Getting a weeks' worth of grocery shopping completed before your children finish a box of animal crackers, cleaning the entire house before the Tom and Jerry DVD is over, and lastly, accepting that your next car will be a silver minivan with sticky seats and a zillion toys thrown on the floor. So, if you are thinking about applying for the job, consider if you can handle it. As you can see, the work is hard and the tasks complex. But luckily, the pay is excellent. Lots of hugs, kisses, smiles and giggles every day make this job worthwhile. When I accepted the position, I didn't know how difficult it would be, but I wouldn't change a thing. My long-term goal is to remain on the job, if my employers will keep me. I will check with them in a little while. They are presently taking a much needed power nap. Kiersten Bartolotta

Last Saturday!

This was a special day indeed. I took my best friend out for dinner for his birthday! We went to one of our favorite restaurant in Westlands. We ate yummy Ethiopian food, and listened to some Ethiopian songs.

Happy Birthday Brian!