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.
May is here and I have read 28 of 100 books in my #GoodreadsChallenge.
It’s been a bit slow on my end, taking time to recover and it’s meant more time reeling from the after effects of medication and less focus on books, however with my family around, I finally got to unpack the boxes in my living room that got here this January.
Bought this as a shoe rack, customized it to a bookshelf 🙂
I still have a room that I haven’t cleared out because I am still settling in my the apartment I am renting. Moving cities was exciting until I had to unpack most of what I had. Let’s get into books now:
Currently reading The First Woman by Jennifer Makumbi– and if you are looking for a story set in Uganda, with vibrant characters who refuse to be ignored- then please read this book. It gets an automatic 5 stars from me as you follow Kirabo, from her grandparents home, to her Father’s house, her relationship with her friends, women in her life- and her aspirations, while also acknowledging that she wishes to meet her Mother just once.
When I’m done with this, I want to travel to other worlds created by Leigh Bardugo- because why not? I also want to read up on power, corruption, factfulness and mental health-so I got a little bit of everything waiting for me in the following books:
I am being more intentional with the books I read this year, mainly because I also want to gain expertise and improve on my skills in my professional life, and it’s dawning on me that there are so many books that I can read and learn from. When it comes to nourishing my writing, would you believe me if I told you that fantasy, poetry, free verse and prose are what I’m drawn to right now? It’s like a yearning to experience and also learn from other writers how they create other worlds, what they bring to the quests their characters go on and why.
Looking forward to a productive month and to fully recover and get back on my feet this month, until then, have a great weekend.
Eleven days into January 2024 and it’s been a whirlwind of activities for me.
I truly thought of not setting any goals this year, but there is a part of me that has been at it for years that could not be numbed. So, for this year I would like to:
Read 100 books for the #GoodreadsChallenge .
Write and publish a book.
Travel, locally and abroad.
Eat better, drink less milk.
Commit to promises I make and not feel bad when situations arise that stop me from doing so.
Work out more. I love wall pilates. I did some exercises for a week and found myself enjoying them.
April is here. I’ve written more in March and it feels great working my way back into some form of consistency when it comes to writing.
This month, there’s a mantra I’d love to work on that in the past two weeks has reduced my anxiety at work and got me sleeping better and it was shared by RM of BTS (I’m Army) and he said when it comes to wanting to get everything done and done to perfection there is always the chance of getting lost in the frustration when things don’t go as you plan, so he said to calm himself and appreciate his effort he says “Done is perfect,” if a task gets done, that’s perfect.
Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to improve my iron and vitamin c levels.
Sleep.
Work out ( I am taking to wall pilates and that seems more relaxing for me and I can do the exercises via the BetterMe app for seven minutes in the morning and the evening)
Travel, at least one road trip.
I find myself yearning to engage in everything that means I’m healthy physically and psychologically- and it could be the change I need this month to propel me into the coming days.
Until then, I’ll still say it- if there’s a kdrama you could watch right now on Netflix it is Divorce Attorney Shin.
It’s been three months since I shared updates on life, more so on writing, reading and a whole bunch of experiences I’ve had along the way. This post is my attempt at some sanity after changing the theme of this blog six times. Trust me, I activated six themes before finally settling on this one so my mind is seeking refuge in this post.
On reading: February came with gifts and I got this trilogy set by N.K.Jemisin from a wonderful friend and mentor whose energy and love for others has me in awe. The set adds onto a number of books that I hope to read this year.
On writing: I need help! Truth is I feel at odds and unable to write and for a while I settled into it, but now there are two opposing forces in me- more like intentions- a part of me misses writing, yearns to write and demands that I do and the other part, does not want to do disturbed. I find myself unable to stop buying notebooks and pens-but gathering my wits to write has been unbearable. It does not help that I set one of my goals as writing and publishing a book in April.
On life: The first week of this month was busy because most of the people who support the projects I work on were in Kenya, some visiting for the first time and it was great showing them around while also visiting places I wanted to. We visited The Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, enjoyed many meals and evening talks by the shores of Lake Victoria while in Rusinga Island.
I always wanted to have some chicken biryani and tamarind juice and got to do this while at Mama Nilishe, in Kilimani-though now she opened up a bigger place at Kikao Place in Lavington. And while in Nairobi, we stayed at Eka Hotel along Mombasa Road where aside from exemplary reception and service I couldn’t help but be taken in by the glass bottles in our rooms.
On music: I am obsessed with Akoth Jumadi and Lisa Oduor Noah. Their songs calm my luo soul and makes me feel some type of way that’s got me loving the mood I’m in when I hear their voices.
That’s it for now on the life updates and maybe by the end of this month I shall have set my mind on what to do about the writing slump I find myself in, until then, have an awesome weekend.
It’s the fifteenth day of November and at the very beginning I laid out some thirty things I would love to do this month. It’s ambitious of me, given how easy it is to consider a thing done just by talking about it ( that’s why I haven’t been consistent with working out and fitness).
Here’s what I have done and loved doing every day :
Tune into more podcasts (Speaking of Psychology, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, TED Talks Daily, Huberman Lab are some of my favorites). I also discovered some new podcasts (shared here)
Participating in Nanowrimo 2022. I have written 12392 words so far.
Design a logo
Read more books from my Netgalley shelf
Stretch in the morning
Wake up at 6am
Go to bed by 10pm
Finished watching the Chinese Drama Ashes of Love- on Netflix. This was a roller-coaster of emotions for me and the only relief was that unlike The Untamed, it had a good ending.
Wear more brass earrings
Drink more water and often
Speak my mind
Read more blogs by Kenyans ( if you know any that you’d love me to follow let me know)
Reward myself for what I did achieve this year. Yes, bought four pairs of shoes.
Review my retirement and savings plan.
Cook for myself more often- instant noodles is not the only thing to eat.
Call and talk to my family often
Here’s what I haven’t been able to do:
Eat more vegetables
Dance more
Eat out
Cut down on processed sugar
Take evening walks because it rains almost every evening!
Cut down on noodles ( you can miss a host of things in my house but never a pack of chicken noodles)
Forgive myself for not fulfilling some of the dreams I wanted to achieve
Throw down- best explained as the act of cooking and serving a buffet of meals for the people you love
De-clutter
Donate some of my books
I got to work on a simple logo design using Canva and learned that there is a lot to colors and fonts that I know nothing about, and in the end- I resorted to black and white.
I am still working on:
Praying often
Completing Nanowrimo
Forgiving myself for not fulfilling some of the dreams I wanted to achieve
I’ve had a flu this past week that came with joint pain, exhaustion, headaches and a never ending fever and when I thought the worst was behind me, I get to deal with a never ending cough. For three days I lacked the sense of taste.
So, let me start over: happy holidays! How are you spending the holiday season? We have two days to the end of 2021 and at the back of my mind there is the feeling to strive for more, better, for adventures, for a happier me and all that. I am also looking forward to achieving the goals that I never did this year.
As I write this, it’s 9:33pm and it’s raining in Kisumu. I haven’t had a cup of tea tonight. I just finished watching, The Silent Sea, on Netflix. If you’re looking for a dystopian or sci-fi series to watch- give it a go, it’s worth the time and it’s Gong Yoo on this!
On reading: I have bought more books this month which I hope to include in the books I get to read in the coming days.
This year, I did get to read 202 of the 200 books I had set as my Goodreads Reading Challenge and I would love to read more books next year.
On writing: I would love to do four key things:
Write daily by adhering to a writing schedule
Join and commit to a Writers Group
Publish my #WIP
Talk more about my writing either on talk shows, podcasts, book clubs.
I look forward to reflecting more on the things I do and have done this year in the next two days.
Until the next post, do have a wonderful time.
Make memories, cherish the good, challenge yourself to learn from the moments that wound you. Give love. Laugh loud. Dance like you’re the wind.
Nine days into October and this is a reflection on what I’ve done so far:
Read 4 books
Started compiling a short story collection
Bought two sets of gym wear and installed the 30 Day Fitness Challenge app, but I haven’t worked out even for a single day.
Completed watching the K-Drama: He is Psychometric
Changed my phone ringtone.
I’ve had a serving of chicken flavored noodles every day since 3rd October.
Started drinking tea every morning
Prepped and ready to take part in NanoWrimo 2021. By being ready it simply means that I bought new stationery, a tote bag full of colorful notebooks and new set of highlighters.
Love this quote by Dorothy Parker:
I will be on the road tomorrow looking forward to an activity filled week, so until then, have a lovely weekend. PS: If you haven’t been watching Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha on Netflix, check it out, it’ll make your weekend swoonworthy!
Life! Well, it’s been one rollercoaster and at some point, I felt so overwhelmed by what was happening that I took a break from writing and in that one week, I set aside everything including my NanoWrimo project.
The good news here is that yes, I aced this year’s NanoWrimo and managed to scribble 55,751words. Don’t ask me about what I wrote because it’s all messed up. I know because I checked and nearly lost my wits so I will let it simmer.
2020 goals: This was set to be my year, where I would workout consistently, eat healthy, write more, join a Writer’s network and invest in postgraduate education. I hadn’t written action plans for all these things, except for writing. And in true form I managed to write, edit and publish one book: Zuri: The Chronicler of Enzi. When it became clear that there would be prolonged restrictions in an attempt to curb the spread of covid-19, I found myself slacking on my goals and in the first week of this month as I was reading through my journal, I came across all the things I was excited to do and it hit me that I took in so much that was happening around me that I forgot to reinforce what’s within me.
So, like the rollercoaster we’ve been on, I installed the 30 day fitness app again🙄 and I have managed to set times for working out. I am on day 4 and already loving the “Rest Day.”🧡
On writing: I just have this awesome idea that sprung up on me as I was writing my NanoWrimo project and I live for visuals when I am writing, so here is what is motivating me to explore it.
On reading: This month’s been a thrill and I’ve read a couple of books that made it easier to get lost in the written world.
The Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Diamond Eye by Arthur Rosenfeld
I am currently reading:
I am learning to write goals, and then break them down to tasks that I can do every day or hour so that I am not overwhelmed by the desire to accomplish them. I call it my 30 day reset and it started with uninstalling the Facebook app from my phone plus messenger so I can focus more.
I have also set a writing schedule so I have ample time to revise my draft and write some more because I love having to write and publish a book over the Easter holidays, it kinda gives my readers and major fans here in Kenya (they’re 14 of them 💛😉) something to read over a 3day holiday break
On education: I am still keen on gaining skills and knowledge and I’ll put it out into the universe, may it bring me my desires and success in my quest to pursue policy writing and formulation in the field of Education here in Kenya. I feel like I’ve been on the ground toiling and working with rural communities to improve public primary schools and it’s a great achievement, however I can scale it up, I can see the need for social investment in children on the value of quality education, across the country and what better way to do this than ensuring the policies written and implemented by the state actually serve this need? I’m all about it and I’ll keep working on it, seeking programs, partnerships, scholarships to see it come to be.
It’s been a hectic month for me, and I am hoping for a better now, tomorrow and to be honest, it’s a working progress and I love that I am envisioning it and calling it into being.
2 quick questions: What are you reading this weekend? What are you setting your heart on right now?
182 days since we got the #stayathome verdict from the Kenyan government. How are you holding up wherever you are? What have you learned in 2020 thus far?
One thing is certain: we have 108 days to the end of this year and I for one, find myself more aware, present and grateful for every moment I experience.
I have been reading more books because I joined this awesome whatsapp book, admnistered by Prime Book Hubs and simply put- they post books for sale and you get to reserve a copy, pay for it and they ship it to you. So, I’ve been buying books and my first September haul includes a book loaned to me by my sister which I just finished reading.
I absolutely devoured Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan and if you are into books that are set in bookstores with some hidden secrets or puzzles, you’ll love how technology meets print and ingenuity in this book.
I am currently reading Lucia, Lucia by Adriana Trigiani.
On writing: Let’s just say that I need to travel a bit, change the environment I’ve been in- read more, or just kickstart my brain into actively writing this next book. I’m taking a leap going into non-fiction and I am learning that it’s not that easy to string words along. Research takes time and I am forever at the phase of “would you tell me that again?” and it’s driving me insane. I need some patience juice! No sugar please, just the patience juice.
And, how do you know you’ve got your writing mojo?
For me, this involves shopping for stationery and nothing speaks to me more like pencils in the dozens! So, I decided to put everything I’ve got working for me and share a picture, just to prove that I am not losing it, or rather, that I should open up a stationery shop…
Whereas the Ministry of Health provides us with COVID-19 statistics daily, I find myself inclined to document and journal what I’ve done in a day, and this is what I call, taking stock of the things that I may have overlooked that made my day.
I decided to cut down on processed sugar and this is my third day without it.
I’ve been changing my sleep cycle; now I go to bed by 10pm and get up by 6am. I am working towards going to bed by 10pm and waking up at 5am.
Pitching articles to various editors is something I hoped to do this year and since last month, I’ve sent out 2, hoping to send some more and explore long-form article writing as well.
My Mom is a huge advocate for Education and it gives because she taught for 30 years. Her challenge to me this year was not to give up on fellowships and scholarships because every year I send out at least an application for a fellowship and 2 Masters scholarships- and I get turned down. I got so close last year and it tore me apart- and she told me, not to give up, if I could come in fifth, then maybe I’d get it.
Fitness is not easy. I can write everyday, because I worked on getting this done, but working out has been a challenge that means installing and uninstalling fitness apps- working out two consecutive days then quitting, so I’ll stick to walking. It may do me some good.
I finally gave my visual threshold a chance- and watched two series: The Witcher and Cursed...and can I just say that I am looking forward to the next seasons? Who would have thought that grunting could say so much- because Geralt of Rivia, in The Witcher grunts in response to almost everything!
Comedy! Yes, I’ve always loved Trevor Noah and this month, I discovered K-Von Comedy.
I am looking forward to reading more books, a bit of travel for work because we’re focusing on WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) projects this round-and most of the schools I’ve visited are in dire need to latrines, hand-washing stations, access to clean treated water and most of all- in need of some infrastructure development.
nilichoandika 