I do my grocery shopping as rarely as I get to visit the market, however when I do, the following have to be in my cart:
I have been saying this for years and now that I think of it, there are three cities that I would love to visit.
For the history, vibrant culture, colors, fabric- because I love my fabric as bold and colorful as Africa, and then the food and the people.
Accra
Morroco: On this I could have said Rabat, but there is so much that I would love to see, experience and even more about the writers and the stories from this county.
Bangkok
I was love
Light
Kind
I saw them for who they were
They laughed when I was with them
They got to do the most beautiful, life changing things because I inspired, challenged, dared or slightly nudged them.
They loved reading my books
They would love to experience life with me in it again.
It’s the seventh day of December 2025 and I am here thinking of all that has happened this year.
First, I did get to publish The Longest Way Home after revising and rewriting it for a year!
Second, my reading goal on Goodreads for this year was 100 books and so far I am at 65, looking forward to setting aside a day and updating the books I read on Netgalley as well since this year they ceased that partnership and it means manually adding the books.
I recently just finished reading Yinka, Where is your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blcakburn and Yellowface by Rebecca Kuang. Two different books with very bright covers- and focusing on young women going through different relatable issues. I am currently doing my best not to grind my teeth or clench my fist as I read God of Malice by Rina Kent.
I have had a rich year in terms of the books I have bought, read and even enjoyed along the way. I have also had rich experiences at work- working with a large team, making more decisions, co-creating solutions with young people and traveling to different countries across the East Africa region- and as the year ends, so does my engagement with the organization and I look forward to the next part of my journey.
On health, well…the greatest scare and being ushered into emergency trauma response and frequent hospitalization has only made me more grateful for being able to keep my head above water. It’s the only time my Mom’s almost lost her sanity and it’s been a blessing to bounce back better, stronger and happier.
So here’s the rest of a beautiful week in December, and many more writing escapades.
Yes.
In Nairobi- a short drive to Athi River and you meet Giraffes, Dik Diks, Zebras grazing and crossing the road.
There are days when I am the perfect night owl getting a lot done, studies right, cleaning the house, decluttering, dancing and having coffee refills and simply loving the silence that comes with night.
Then there are those days where it’s nothing but sunrise, the dawn…of wanting to be up by 5am, and getting out of bed and doing stuff…just like that.
So am I a night or day person?
The truth is, it depends.
A smile
Handcrafted earrings
There are more than one cool thing that I have found and kept- well I will also include the Luron body products that I use, stationery that are so irresistible that I can barely part ways with a notebook that I love- as square and dotted as it is with a blush leather cover.
I also love the insulated thermo mug I got from Ziwa, this cute portable beside lamp- the perfect companion while reading at night, this cute shopping basket I got from Urembo Crafts Kenya.
I should start by saying that I really try to skip these but fail as often as two days or three days after:
I have lived through experiences and some memories I hold dear- some good and others painful, yet no matter how much I look at it there isn’t an age or time in my life that I would want to go back to.
Right here, right now these words I am typing are real, I am creating something now.
I am who I am now because a compilation of all those experiences and it’s beautiful because I know not who I will be tomorrow, what I am sure of is that she will come with history.
nilichoandika 