Hello, it feels good to be writing this afternoon. I’ve been on the road for the past twelve days and bits and pieces of my journey has stayed with me. I was working in Migori county and visiting various communities in the eight constituencies has been a thrill. So, before I digress, I’ll share some of the highlights of my stay:
I’m setting out to another county in a day or two, so I’ll probably write some more. Have a great week ahead!
He left her.
She woke up on a Friday morning and reached out for her phone. There was no text or missed call from him. It had been three days since they talked. She looked at her phone, dialed his number and slowly closed her eyes when she was directed to his voicemail.
He left.
She went on for two months, going to work, catching up with friends and taking each day as best as she could.
It must have been the casual way in which she met a mutual friend. He was swirling a drink in the glass in his hand. He said “yeah, he is still single, you know…I thought he’d settle down by now, but he just said that he started dating this girl but had to step back because she lacked ambition.”
She walked away from that gathering and gulped in each breath as she walked towards home.
Those who saw her that weekend said that she kept to herself. They could not get a word out of her, but even then, the sun set on a soul that was hurting and what’s sad is that he’ll never know how much she bore the burden of judgement.
They all say “she was kind and caring,” like those words could strip down the weight of the world that she bore.
He left her.
As I sit here, I wonder, was it that ‘he left her’ or that life had pushed her to the edge of a cliff, and a few encouraging words or just one kind act could have been the hand she held on?
I had one of those days. You know, the kind where you suddenly want to try something new? So, I thought why not post about food, something I made. My younger sister was all about fashion, but we both know how that went down the last time.
I made some fried chicken stew and rice for lunch.
Basic ingredients I used:
You can tell I’m not so good at this, but hey, Food Bloggers can make you swoon with precise recipes and pictures of food. So, let’s forget all that and get back to what I was saying. Yes, so how did I make this dish?
To be honest, I had thirty reasons for writing this post but after much revision, I realized that I only had five valid reasons:
Have a lovely weekend!
It’s been one of those weeks spent on the road. I’m anticipating another two weeks on the road, but so far, what’s suffered most is my writing. I can make my daily journal entries but anything to do with creating short stories or generating new ideas becomes difficult when all you do is talk about counseling and pyscho-social programs.
It made me question, “how can you get some writing done when you cannot seem to get time for it?”
The first answer that came to mind was accompanied by my Mentor’s voice and it was “You are a Writer, make time!” The other that came included a few tips:
So, I spent four days at this awesome hotel and I loved their color scheme so much and their paintings that I had to share a few pictures.
What are your plans this weekend?
I’ve got an idea, how about reading a free 5-page magazine? Just two short stories 🙂
The third issue of Nilichoandika Magazine is all about keeping it short and I’m so glad that I get to share two beautiful stories by amazing Writers. Get a copy here (Nilichoandika (3))- or on the left sidebar on this blog’s homepage.
Enjoy your weekend as I’m off to Kuria, who knows, I might just visit a place or two in Sirare while at it.
I am seated on this leather seat, cosy, warm and my stomach is so full of yogurt that I feel the urge to sleep. It’s been a long and busy day. The kind of day where I met seventy new people, had to create some group dynamics and set aside some work related rules and regulations.
It’s also the day I realized that I would not make a trip I had planned for the end of this month.
It’s nothing much, you’d say, but have you ever written yourself off simply based on the kind of life other people presented to you?
Saying “I can never be that beautiful,” or “I can’t have such flat abs,” “I can’t have that job or make that kind of money.”
As we were getting teams ready and all, someone stood up and after saying his name, this young cheerful man added “I am doing nothing, so, unlike most of you here who are busy doing things, I am doing nothing.”
The whole room laughed. They laughed until he sat down but during lunch break, I sat next to him and asked him “what do you focus on when you are not say, working for someone or looking to work for someone?” He shrugged and said “I actually sketch stuff, you know using pencil or coal and it’s nothing much but I love it.”
I asked him if I could see his sketches and he pulled out his phone and showed me a gallery of beautiful works that he had done and some that he had sold to his friends on campus and other parish members at his church.
I am no Picasso.
I am no Sketch Artist but I loved what I saw and more so, I respected the hours and clarity he put in his work. But, his utterance in the morning session reminded me of all the times I wrote myself off.
It’s easy to compare yourself to people based on what they project or the image they show you and it’s even easier to go the extra mile to try and be like them.
It’s easy because copying has never been difficult, it’s being an original and staying true to yourself that takes grit and a lifetime.
So, before you write yourself off, please give yourself some time. Take a step back. Talk to yourself (yes, do it😉). Give yourself the award or medal for being uniquely you and live your life.
Whenever I feel like a failure, my Mom’s words always come back to me “life is being on a race track, you are guaranteed two things, a start and a finish, it’s what you do in between that matters, and no race was ever won by running in someone’s lane or by constantly looking over your shoulder to see if your opponent is catching up.”
I love a good tag. They are growing on me, so thank you Jordy for sharing your responses and sharing in two parts, now, let’s do this!
When I was twelve.
Creating a world where anything is possible.
Getting words right
Not having the story that’s in your mind reflected on paper.
Not being able to write consistently or lacking the psych to simply jot down a sentence.
Being distracted by everything else while there’s this urge to write.
I love writing short stories. I have also learned that novellas are quite interesting.
I love writing romance and sometimes I excel at it, but since publishing The Currents Series, I have been drawn to Literary fiction that enables me to incorporate elements of the African culture.
If I say ‘none’ would you believe me?
I’m good with both and I love writing from the Male Point-of View especially when we are dealing with a drunk man. I live for such characters.
Oh, anything rocks my boat. I just steer away from Beyonce because I dance more than write whenever I listen to her. Yes, and Sauti-Sol too.
I don’t snack when I write. I just drink a lot of tea, or a pot of coffee depending on my mood.
Anywhere, as long as I can plug in my earphones and mute the world. I’m good to go.
I write best from 2AM to 4AM.
Grace Ogot, Margaret Ogolla, Azenath Bole Odaga, Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi.
I’m inspired by my desire to be vastly read and here’s the thing about ideas, they creep up at any moment, so whenever I get an idea, I put it to test.
None.
So, that’s it for today and given that I jumped in on this tag without a welcome mat, I’ll sign out and wish you a lovely weekend.
It’s 10:58AM on a Wednesday morning and I am seated at a table, at the New Victoria Hotel as I write this. I have just ordered a cup of tea. I am writing this as I listen to Dan+Shay’s self titled album, right now the song that’s playing is “Alone Together.”
I am not okay. I am far from it and the only thing stopping me from breaking down is the simple act of typing this post. My battery’s at 23% and even that is enough to send me in a downward spiral.
I just walked here from Maseno University. I had a meeting with my Mentor. I handed him five copies of the first half of the novel I was to release in May this year and he was going through it with four beta readers.
I’ll break it down for you, they loved half of it and totally hated the other half. This means one thing, I am back to square one and cannot release a book that’s long overdue! I am not okay and I’m on the verge of tearing this manuscript to shreds, or using it to light the jiko this evening, but even then, this is my lowest point.
You’d think that for someone who has interacted with quite a number of Kenyan publishers and opted for self-publishing later on, that I’d know better by now.
Well, each book is different and writers get frustrated.
I know I get frustrated when:
I’ll go back to work and then maybe get to bed early and see what tomorrow awaits. I’ve already received four titles from NetGalley to read this weekend and even though I am scheduled to have a sit-down with the beta readers on Saturday, I’ll binge on these four romance novels and pray for some peace of mind.
And so we ran away,
We ran away from the sight, thought, and idea of ‘us’.
You hid in your ambition
You proved this with your silence, a trail that grew cold.
I accepted your silence and cherished in my freedom, I never relinquished control,
I did what I wanted to, when I wanted to.
And so we ran away,
Miles from each other, but somehow, the universe was not done with us.
She asked for a rerun,
We almost gave in,
But nothing beats the thrill of running and now, I’m miles away not be swayed.
It’s been a week or so since I took up any challenge and I love me some awesome tags! I came across this tag on Just Call Me Elm or Something aka JustElm’s blog and I had to jump right in…before I chicken out, let’s see…
1: What are you wearing?
A t-shirt, black shorts.
2: Ever been in love?
Yes.
3: Ever had a terrible breakup?
I’m not so sure, was it? I don’t know.
4: How tall are you?
I am 169cm tall, convert that into feet and inches 🙂
5: How much do you weigh?
I’ll say that for the record, I haven’t been taking good care of myself and eating right, so I’m a little under 53kgs.
6: Any tattoos?
Nope.
7: Any piercings?
I have two on each ear, I’ll probably get a third or fourth depending on my love for earrings.
8: OTP?
Alec and Magnus from THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS/THE BANE CHRONICLES…and if you’re into TV, then The ShadowHunters.
9: Favourite Show?
Bull, for now.
10: Favourite bands?
Muse, Daughtry, Lifehouse, SnowPatrol, 1D (I still dance to their songs)
11: Something you miss?
Listening to myself.
12: Favourite song?
At the moment, El Mismo sol by Alvaro Soler. Listen.
13: How old are you?
Really, haven’t you been all over my blog?
14: Zodiac sign?
Pisces
15: Quality you look for in a partner?
Gotta work on myself first, will say that I’m all about play and a bit of that never hurt a soul, so…yeah, until I work on myself, I’m not talking about this.
16: Favourite Quote?
“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”
-Rhett, Gone with the Wind
17: Favorite actor?
Ai, I’m not a movie buff or so big on visuals.
18: Favourite colour?
Orange
19: Loud music or soft?
Depends on how I’m feeling
20: Where do you go when you’re sad?
I retreat into my head, sometimes I cry it out, write it out or sleep through it.
21: How long does it take you to shower?
As long as I feel sweaty, well, let’s just say I do contribute to the water bill escalating.
22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Ten minutes tops!
23: Ever been in a physical fight?
No no no.
24: Turn on?
🙂
25: Turn off?
Where do I start?
26: The reason I joined WordPress?
I wanted to share my weird thoughts and stories with the world and they had those damn share buttons!
27: Fears?
Working on it, but if it starts with an “s” and ends with an “e”, I’m out cold.
28: Last thing that made you cry?
Watching Alec and Magnus break up on Shadowhunters. My sister still can’t get over it! I’d had an overdose that day watching “Love, Simon,” “Call Me By Your Name,” and then binge watching ShadowHunters…I had to break down at some point!
29: Last time you said you loved someone?
This morning, my Mom!
30: Meaning behind your Blog Name?
For the things I’ve written and those to come.
31: Last book you read?
32: The book you’re currently reading?
33: Last show you watched?
ShadowHunters.
34: Last person you talked to?
My younger sister.
35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?
Complicated, I should be plucking rose petals by now.
36: Favourite food?
Chapo beans!
37: Place you want to visit?
Ghana.
38: Last place you were?
The Kitchen. I just got my second cup of tea.
39: Do you have a crush?
No
40: Last time you kissed someone?
720 hours ago
41: Last time you were insulted?
I wouldn’t know.
42: Favourite flavour of sweet?
Coconut.
43: What instruments do you play?
Drums, like the actual drums that are leather bound and you have to beat them using your hands. I can play the first stanza of the Kenyan anthem on the piano too, but besides that, I’m out.
44: Favourite piece of jewellery?
Earring studs.
45: Last sport you played?
You’re so funny!
46: Last song you sang?
Si no tengo a ti by Alvaro Soler.
47: favourite chat up line?
Hey, do you do coffee? I know right…
48: Have you ever used it?
I have used it thrice and let me tell you the results were hilarious! One guy, asked me “can a guy really do coffee?” and that was my cue to answer a fake call!
49: Last time you hung out with anyone?
Last week.
50: Who should answer these questions next?
Anyone who’s made it thus far should try it!
nilichoandika 