Woo-men

Watch me add to the broken shards of glass

Ceilings women have broken and continue to

Break, we need it between career chasing, child rearing, competing, yet still getting paid 

Less than our other counterparts yet we are greater than even the best 

Of the best, we stay humble, slaying, achieving, doing it 

All between cramps and mood swings, breastfeeding and teething

'Babies' in the work place we're called and other trivialized innuendos, hmmm 

Suspect, suggestive 

Of queens and princesses, warriors and earthly angels

Of soft smiles and warm faces -beware

Woman, girl, she, her

Story after story should continue to be heard

To remove the isolated shock and splendor of accomplishing deeds we do

Everyday as this is simply who we are

We win, we work, we study, we dance, we act

Like we don't face unequal challenges, challenging 

But we rise, wise, with grace and poised

To stand together is my dream, a united gentle force

Women...

Happy International Women's Day🌹

*United we stand, divided we fall*

Birthday Eve -30 Days Until...!

Getting older is often met with a lot of anxiety, sudden change in perspective and even fear. We all dread aging, but guess what? It’s inevitable-we’re all getting there! Botox injections and knee pains aside, except the age of consent, the age at which you’re allowed to drink as well as to drive (not simultaneously please!), age doesn’t really matter. It’s but a number; it all boils down to perception, how you look and groom yourself and how you feel. 

But just in case you’re still increasing your wrinkle lines by being sad or upset about it, here is an ingenious list of a few ways to ease some of the despair leading up to your birthday…

P.S this is no bucket list or venturesome dare but just a few ideas to lighten your mood as the day of your annual ‘getting old’ reminder draws near😊

List of 30 things to do in 30 days before turning 30: (Tick off as you go along)

1.Take and post a pic of 30 things you like

2.Take a 30 minute walk

3.Take a relaxing 30 minute shower/bath

4.Set an appointment for a 30 minute pedicure

5.Take a pic with the number 30

6.Make a list of 30 things you're grateful for (I promise you won’t run out!)

7.Write 30 pages for your 1st book (for those aspiring writers)

8.Do 30 new exercises -1 each day (I an already feel the burn!)

9.Light 30 candles

10.Spend $30 on a book

11.Spend $30 on a meal

12. Spend $30 on an outfit

13.Make a list of 30 things to do while you're 30

14.Spend 30 mins on the phone with your parents.

15.Learn to count to 30 in a new language! (que divertido!)

16.Give out 30 compliments

17.Take a 30 minute nap

18.Do a 30 minute oral presentation (to anyone)on a topic you are passionate about

19.Watch 30 mins of your favorite tv show

20. Read your Bible for 30 mins

21. Write down an important self affirmation on paper 30 times. e.g I am worthy/enough

22. Take 30 minutes to meditate (no phone, tv or other distractions)

23. Read 30 pages of a book you've been meaning to read/continue reading

24. Tell 30 people in your life that you love them 😊

25. Watch 30 movies (yikes)

26. Play a new sport for 30 minutes

27. Find something to volunteer in for 30 minutes 1 day

28. Create and stick to a budget for the next 30 days

29. Spend 30 minutes reviewing your finances-savings, investments, monthly bills including deductibles.

30. Cook a new meal (or bake something) that takes 30 minutes to prepare

Feel free to subsitute 30 with 25 (yes you're getting there too!) 40, 60 or even 80 !(Once you're still able to view this). Also if your birthday has already passed this year then (God's willing) there's always next year!  Have fun!

P.S In 30 days -on my 30th birthday -I’ll share just how many I managed to do!

Try it! Instead of dreading getting older, try having some silly but challenging fun with your age:)

#30 years, 30 less fears

#30 reasons to smile

#30daystothirty

*United we stand, divided we fall*

World War III

The war that threatened to wipe us out earlier in the year does not compare to the current battle we face

                                  This one....

Guns blazing (gloves doubled over steady hands)
Helmets donned (face shields)-at the forefront we stand.
Armed with (finite) tubes, lines and oxygen masks
The health care system has been handed a most gruelling task

To stave the vicious course of a rapidly destructive disease
That's hellbent on taking lives as if they were nothing but leaves.
Forget last words, wills, or final farewells
As it spares not even those who were otherwise well.

We've been stripped of our norms and daily routines, the familiar rhythm of our lives disrupted.
When the first concerning waves tickled the global shores scoffs and scorn erupted.
Our inherent weaknesses and fraility now exposed, our mortality stares raw at the edges;
We're warped in a warfare where every woman, man,boy and girl has a solemn responsibility working in the trenches
By staying home, isolating or quarantining
Praying, hoping while practicing (hopefully only physical) social distancing.

Compassion is on the witness stand as the judge of time tries and tests the true 'humanity'of humans
The jury being those admitted, dying and suffering.

Play your part,
Do your best.
This isn't a make believe story,conspiracy theory or supremacy test

• This is a battle-a worlwide war-between life and the sticky palms of death.

*United we stand, divided we fall*

Cloud 9

My dreams live here,
My visions and ideals sit and have tea.
My love soars here; here it feels it will endure eternity.

My happiness is plugged in here, topping up from time to time.
My mind travels here, on ocassion by someone taking it for a ride.
My peace dwells here, lying on pillows stacked high.

My heart belongs here,it makes such short sweet trips.
My body transcends here, from everything that transpires from a soulful kiss.
My painful muscles relax here, a spa day just for kicks.

My life dictates that I visit here, just to take off some edge.
I'm the flight attendant, the pilot, in training yet full fledged.

My problems don't get to come here, mindfully locked out.
My worries disappear here, rerouted, exited at the last roundabout.

How long can I stay here?
As long as I please!

Cloud 9, one 1 way ticket please

You

                       

There exists an enigmatic growing space inside my heart-I think it's just for you...
Gently dismantling walls brick by brick, you evenly make your way through.
Unhurried, eyes never far from the prize and the ultimate dream,
You make everything so much clearer and more bearable than they seem.

You calm me with soft, smooth, sweet words that speak life,
Words that leave your lips effortlessly like a dove gliding in midflight.
Words that conquer, words that build
Words that fill every void that there is to be filled.

You present an unmatched, undaunted and contagious energy.
Poise, confidence and class unite in a powerful synergy.
Talent, skills and vision meet at an exciting intersection
Yet humbly and admirably guided by divine hands for strength and direction.

You're like a reserve pair of batteries that every one surely needs.
But you'll only connect with just the right set of wires and leads.
You will never lack recharging if I can help it
You need more than just the occasional quick fix.

A supportive endless source of loving energy is just what you deserve
As you continue to give (me) a taste of life that has never before been served.
I like this cuisine, I bring dessert and wine too
Let's dine where the best of recipes meet; Waiter, life, shall we have a table for two?

Start line...?

         * United we stand,divided we fall*

A Long Yesterday...

January 1, 2019.

Packed a suitcase, chased my dreams.
Changed location, changed my address-country, city, street,
One way ticket in.
One sandaled shaking foot in front of the other, this was it, I was all in.
Shoulders squared but my mind a revolving halo of hope, anxiety, excitement, fear

2019...this was the year.

Thousands of pretty pennies already invested into this venture, I came armed with a worryingly finite sum of USD cash, 2 roasted breadfruits, 5 fried fishes and my mother in tow...bittersweet emotions, so many things unsure.

This was the year I got into my first choice of a program in my specialty of passion Internal Medicine in a first world country. Literally, a dream came through. Summary statement- many challenges and lessons but no regrets. I've come close but how could I have any? 2 years of studying, countless moments of doubt , 3 succesful exams, a few long flights and fervent prayers later and now I'm here. Perched in a new seat of higher learning and humility, my own personal growth and development have certainly been catapulted by this move.

Blessed with new friends, new scenes,I transitioned from writing in a docket to typing in drug orders from a computer screen; I am here. Living, breathing, gyming, being, becoming...

This yesterday also marks the first time I ever donated blood. My fear of needles temporarily overcome by a greater need to help those in need, excuses bled and laid to rest.

This was the year I was inducted as a Rotarian, an honorary service club helping thousands across the world. My personal goal to "give back" to society only just begun.

This yesterday was dented by my first motorvehicle accident, one of the scariest days of my life to date as the experience was complicated by being in a new country, alone and let's just say on the wrong side of town. The PTS (post traumatic stress) is too real.

This yesterday I gained connections so dear but also leveled up in mastering the art of blissful solitude-an oh so important feat for me. Took time to observe the strengths and weaknesses in myself and those around me and accepted the differences as they came; shifted roles accordingly and shared and served enough of myself as needed.


This yesterday my own personal challenges continued to strengthen my empathy towards those in the silent screaming fight for healthy mental health. We survived. May we all take from yesterday the right combination of tools to navigate yet another rotation of the earth . May we hold ourselves duly accountable, hold our loved ones tighter and hold on to the reins of life a bit longer.

So long to a long, eventful, blessed yesteryear and cheers to a new one!

 

*United we stand, divided we fall*

From a rock to a bird

Immobile, rooted in a timeless standstill
Vulnerable, exposed, at any moment ready to be the next roadkill

Half in half out
Of the dirt, the soil from which I came
The same soil that now tries so hard my soul to maim

Wedged between hope and a past and legacy so humble and dear
Wedged between the balance of life and a cocoon of disappointment and fear

A rock, tethered until the next force of nature determines its fate
Will it be overturned?buried further?or finally released to be great?
The rain-to secure the chemical bonds of it's eternal bed of clay
The sun to dry its tears to prevent obscuring its view of another day
The wind to every so gently or harshly toss it just so
Giving it direction, purpose, a challenge of where to go and
what to do when you're an immortal entity in life's garden

Hang tight
You too will one day sprout colourful wings
Be still, young rock, think on these things
The bird eats pebbles...you'll contribute to its growth
Til one day you're the new bird,the rock, both!

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*United we stand, divided we fall*