A mothers love

No one will understand a mothers love 

Its fierceness

Its ruthlessness

Its passion

Its sacrifice

Its painfulness

Its selflessness

Its sleeplessness 

Its tears

Its hurt

No one not even  another because it's uniquely your love, a mothers love 

I made my bed

So I will have to lie in it... I take responsibility for my actions eventually. I believe it's important to own up to a mistake to not only fix it but grow from it. These few months I made so many missteps that led to the gravest mistake one can make and that's to leave a marriage with a child and be completely selfish

Anyways I wrote another text to my husband that is now like a short letter

*insert cute video of my husband reading to our 7 month old*

Not sure if I sent you this ... But I miss moments like this and I'm sorry I robbed you of it. Your feelings are valid, your hurt is valid, your lack of trust is valid. It all is. I know you have forgiven me and I appreciate that. I never thought about how selfish I was being as I was causing you to lose out on those precious times you guys share (frankly also some of the most endearing moments for me to watch and gush over which is why I recorded this) I understand the feelings you have right now and that too is valid. Thank you for showing me what it means to still push through difficult times even when it can be so easy to give up. I appreciate all your efforts to keep us intact now even though I didn't then. You are a wonderful man, husband, and father .... Somebody deserves that even if it's not me and I think I will have to live with that. I deserve that to realize how easily one can mess up a good thing and lose it all due to selfishness, anger, and fear. In the end I can only thank you. You gave me five wonderful years and help me to grow up a lot. I love you truly because your selflessness knows no bounds and your love for our son is the evidence. I wish I was more mature to have been like that. Bolaji deserves us both and no parent is more important. Your role and mine are not mutually exclusive but so entwined. My strengths and weakness will become his and lucky for me my weakness are your strengths and vice versa. He will be better because of BOTH of us. I see it now. I saw it then. 

Stay or fight

I never wanted to stay in a relationship because of my child however I wish there's a difference better staying for your Child versus using my child as a fuel to fight for or marriage.

It's a hard pill for me to swallow that I made such a huge mistake that could have a lasting impact on my life.

I was childish, I also hurt someone beyond repair in their eyes which is even worse. It will be hard for him to trust and love me and I did that.

I've gained a lot of perspective and matured a lot through this ordeal. Each day I think about this and ponder my life I realize more and more the missteps I took to push my husband against the wall. I also get it no one wants that feeling in a marriage. It's supposed to be secure, loving, peaceful, and happy.

I hope he gets that I've matured and I would try my best to right my wrongs

Blinded

Sometimes in love we take things for granted

So blinded by my own insecurities 

I miss the signs 

As I lost sight 

I no longer noticed the good the positive 

I started taking you for granted 

I missed the many ways you showed me love daily 

My focus was on the ways I wanted you to show me you love me 

Reassure me 

Want me 

I'm sorry 

Maybe I'm not to blame 

But I made my share of mistakes 

So it's my cross to bear 

I'm to blame 

As I regain my sight 

I realize you tried 

You did what you knew 

Take care of your family despite the issues 

I've gained perspective 

Unfortunately it took space 

It took losing you 

For my sight to be regained 

Pause

People who try to understand you rather than accept you will never love you unconditionally. Their love for you becomes conditioned by what you do to their pride. What they don't understand hurts their ego and theyre vengeful nature may lead to them attempting to cause you that same pain. Be weary of who you let pass your door step.

Terrell Harts
July 13, 2016

The alternative

I made a decision
There had to be better than
Arguing
Fighting
Crying
Ignoring
No sex
No love
Zero communication

There had to be better
An alternative
I chose the alternative
But where did it leave me
Sobbing uncontrollably at 10:30 pm on the floor in my house alone

This was what I wanted
But why does it feel like I created my own personal hell
To slowly rot away in misery
My thoughts hidden
Misunderstood
Even by me

Conflicted
I miss him
I love him
Why couldn't we make it work
Why couldn't I make it work
What's wrong with me
I let it all get out of hand

I can only control me
So I chose
I chose the alternative
It's what i could control
Or is it

Needs

I need you

But how do I let you know

I need your body
Connected to mine
The oneness
But how do I let you know

I'm not seeking your heart
Penetrate to the deepest of my darkest realms
I need you

My body thirsts for you
Every touch
Every breath
Every thrusts
It needs you

But how do I let you know

Yearning
Calling
Crying
Pent up
Frustration of months and months

Give me you
All of you
I need you
But how do I let you know

Premise for this little poem now mind you I'm no poet.  I called my soon to be ex husband and I wanted to ask him to come over. I felt pathetic but I also felt like it would be insulting. But it's hard I hate rejection more than anything --- yes I bounce back and I would probably call him again the next week and ask again because along with that rejection it tends to make me persistent to the point of weariness.

Anyways while on the call with him I immediately felt my nerves kick in and I decided not to and somehow made a mess of the situation instead.

So this morning after staying up half the night feeling horny; I needed him. At 6am I gave myself some kind of women empowerment speech. Tell him what you want, demand it lol.  But as usual I talked myself out of it

Hi _______ sorry to be calling you but I was wondering if we could have sex. I miss your body and frankly I can't envision giving myself to anybody. I don't want to at least not right now. I need you. I have needs too. You are one of them. I understand if you say no and I will be really hurt maybe devastated but I've always thought it was best to ask for what I want and put myself out there even though it risks being so badly rejected. Anyways it was worth the try.

Okay maybe not as empowering when it got to the last 2 sentences but you get the drift. I've alarrafy predicted how he feels about my request and that's because I feel like he hates me and I've ruined his life.

I've really made a mess of things. Am I really that fcuked up?!?!? Well I will be sharing this with my therapist hopefully I can get some clarity.

-Diary of a soon to be divorcee

Ps did I mention that the other conversation was suppose to go along the lines of "hey _____ I need an oil change and not my car but me" obviously that conversation would have gone way worse.

The art of a yo-yo

My spirit animal(or in this case toy) is a yo-yo

Up and down
Up and down down
Up and down down down
Up and down down down down

That's how I feel my emotions get the best of me and I find myself like a yo yo bouncing between emotions till slowly at the end of my string down down down and ....

A letter on L❤️VE

Another 2 hours and a 4 way meeting later I wanted to pen another letter

I would explain the premise of the letter and feelings around it but I think it's better that I just do it in my letter

Dear __________

I love you. That's just it.

My love for you will be finite. I know this now. I will probably always love you.

It's quite easy to see why, everytime I look into the face of our 14th month old; I see you and there is love.

Every tear I cry and every hurt I feel; my love for you grows immensely and infinitely (lots of tears and pain)

A love riddled in hurt but also in healing.

We sit across from each other adversaries with the same common goal fighting and I find love for you. Actually it's the most difficult time for me to dig in and find that love but somewhere it comes radiating through the tears I mentioned before. Love

It's my love for you that causes me so much pain but brings me pleasure

It's my love for you that sought you out wrongly those many nights of arguing and avoiding each other like the plague. My love for you is deeper.

Eventually my love for you scared me, made me toxic

It's that same love that allows me to demonstrate kindness to you and yours

Nothing good will come of hate.

So in the end I choose to love you, love you completely, love you enough to let go even when it's the most difficult heart wrenching thing to do.

Because I will always have love for you.  Bolaji is love and i can only love the creator of the person who i find so much love joy and happiness.

With love always,

-Sara-Kay

Truth is

theres no better than truth than your own.

I spoke to my soon-to-be-ex-husbands uncle a few days ago and told him about all these things that was going on in my head and life. He makes it easy for me to talk to him. Like my uncle he is a voice of reason.

Anyways, in the moment of talking to him, I realized I was becoming happier lighter free-ER and its because I was living in my truth. Acknowledging my feelings and best of all still being nice to someone who is being cold, unfeeling, and insensitive towards me.  I made up my mind that I would not be petty like my husband--- if he's a hour and a half late why create an argument. If it's birthday on my day offer to switch and send a homemade gift from the baby. If it's Father's Day on my day switch again and send cards and gift. Why? Because that's the kind of person I am. I am giving and thoughtful. Why change that because our relationship has ended. Nothing changes. I will be who I am --- emotional.

He continues to be himself but I will not let him take me out of my character.

My love wins. It conquers all. And someone will appreciate it.

6 days and counting

I've officially gone 6 days without tears. I've been on the brink once or twice but composure I held it together. But why? I've discovered how important it is to live in my truth. After opening up about the way I feel.  the soon-to-be-ex-husband and I engaged in some looooong winded pointless back and forth texting via whatsapp. It was cathartic for me but an excellent reminder of our poor communication skills. It got us nowhere.

 Love is never enough. So no matter how much I love him and will always love him. I am letting go. He needs someone who will help him to heal and love him as do I. We deserve that. We both do.

It's the hardest thing I've ever done but I know it's what we both need. Love isn't always enough.

Dear Son

Today you are 13 months and 2 weeks, it's been 4 shorts months since I left the home we lived in. I've tried to work things out with your dad but he doesn't want any parts. I want you to know that even though I left and it was my fault. I did try. I tried to reconcile. I tried to put my ego aside. I tried to put my pride aside. I even tried begging. But all of which to no avail.

I love your dad immensely but sometimes people in ther time of hurt make really stupid mistakes. Mistakes that can mess up their lives and change it forever.

No matter what know that you were conceived out of love. You came into love and you are surrounded by love.

Know it wasn't for a lack of trying on my part but sometimes things just never work out the way they should and we just have to let go.

I love you

Your mom,

Sara-Kay

I did it

Not that it.

I told my lawyer, co-parent counselor, myself the soon to be hopefully not anymore ex-husband how I really felt

It was liberating. It was true. It was real and oh so honest.

I told him I want to reconcile... just dropped the R bomb in our co-parenting session.  Our counselor looked at me like I had 4 heads. Did he see this coming?

So yes world my husband knows that I still care about him; I feel horrible for all the pain I caused him but the worst part will be the rejection to follow.

I don't think he wants to reconcile. I have hurt him too much and I understand now.

But nonetheless, to be able to swallow your pride and ego in love is important and I did it.

Also, I felt even better to know that I had a friend who i could share this with.

My plan is to continue to show him the person he fell in love and married.

Love is hard.

anyways 2 days since I last cried and that's because I could finally be honest with myself, the most important person.

Tears

The sickness you never really see

I've cried sometimes even bawled and other times I've wept 

Almost everyday 

Sometimes 3-5 in a times in a day 

And once in a while never (these are the good days but they are so far and few between) 

I cry in my loneliest moments

In my car to work listening to k-love 

In bed at night while I breastfeed or even soothe a crying baby I too cry 

When I pee I cry 

Sitting in my classroom grading papers I cry 

In the shower 

After I call my ex-husband-to-be for the 15 times that week and like the other 14 times before he didn't pick up I cried 

When I look at pictures on Facebook I cry 

It's cathartic but it's painful 

It makes me more anxious and overwhelmed 

I feel like I'm stuck 

Somewhere 

And I can't find myself 

13 months and counting life will get better

I come from a line of strong women 

One day at a time 

Things I tell myself 

But instead I feel like I'm falling deeper 

Is this depression? Anxiety? 

Will I be happy again?

I talk to God ... I sing to him ... I cry out to him 

In frustration 

In hope 

In my sorrow

In my confusion 

For clarity

Guidance 

Love 

Each time I find myself falling deeper 

I want to be strong

I want to find happiness

Peace 

Love

Success

Not for myself but for the persons who made me feel --- my son 

But I find myself falling deeper

Questioning 

Doubting 

Will this ever get better 

Is this depression? Anxiety? 

Am I way in over my head 

I just want happiness 

It's true: when it rains it pours sleets and storms

Over the last 30 hours I've been bursting into spontaneous tears minus the moments when a simple polite inquiry of how are you reduces me to a stoic nod or a meltdown into sobbing whimpers 

I feel inconsolable

Gloomy 

Melancholy 

Thank God Mother Nature understands; on my way to work it was foggy which encapsulated the dark cloud I felt as I was driving, the  sun fought through for a few hours but ultimately the sky reverted to a misty eerie feel and the clouds gave way to an outpouring of water.  Something someone understands my mood...

I know it is okay to feel the way I do and someday things will get better but for now the end is farther than it seems and I would much rather embrace how I feel. 

So with that when it rains it pours, sleets and storms 

Not a letter of reconciliation

My best friend in college taught me that writing was a good way to vent... Just never send the email. Since that day in 2009 when some kid ticked me off on a group project I wrote about it instead of emailing them a snappy and nasty reply. Now, I have over 47 drafted emails mostly to my ex-husband-to-be and others.  I drafted an email for him about four days ago with an excerpt of a conversation he was having with the same friend that he has began to slander me to... The narratives are completely opposite.

Well today. A minute ago. I sent that email. No it wasn't because I want to reconcile or makeup. More so i wanted him to realize as a couple we are on a journey; you cared about me. Yet, in a moment of difficulty, you hate me and I'm the worst kind of person there is.  Marriages are hard; people change, I met him when I was 19 and I had a lot of growing up to do. Marriage is patience;it's work. Sometimes you need space.  

How ironic! In the chat he had with her he described this fierce love for me so much that he called it LIKE a lot (red flag number 1, I will probably address this in a blog but then I thought it was cute)


*** I never finished this day but I will publish it as is 

Dear Diary: An open letter to...

My ex-husband-to-be (I'm assuming that's what you call an estranged spouse that has filed for a divorce), his family, and friends,

Thank you all for granting me your audience. Now, that I have your attention where should I begin. Hmmm... Let's start with "Mrs. Logan-Ajiboye, thank you for meeting with me and trusting me to handle your case.  In order to retain my services you will be billed $4,000 as retainer which will be held in a separate account. Although, we believe that your case could run as high as $8,000 due to the complexities of motion and wants of spouse"

Yes you read correctly, I will be billed $4000-$8000 to retain a lawyer all because I would much rather not be a doormat and roll over and settle for the options my spouse is giving me.  So why did I pen this letter to you all? Well, as the father of my child and once the love of my life I'm sure you realize how ludicrous this is; we are investing 8,000 each (~16,000) into other people's pockets for their business and for their family so that there child could go to college.  Instead of communicating like mature adults, creating a plan through some sort of mediation once everything has cooled off, we both could maintain our money and put it towards raising our son and ensuring that he has all his hearts desires.  To continue, the amount of money I make for work is 3 times less that of your salary. Where will this money come from? Who advised you that this was the best way to resolve our family situation was to tear us apart further.

As his family or friends it is your job to ensure that your friend is reflective and thinks about his decision and the implication.  The goal is to be apart of our sons life and throwing money at lawyers to have them showdown will not necessarily break about

Thanks again.

Today, after meeting with my lawyer and discussing my retainer. I felt overwhelmed, distraught, frustrated... How did things get so bad ? Where will this money come from? I have plans for my money! I worked so hard to save.  This is not the best use of my money.

I wish we could resolve this situation better but there is no other way.

Divorce sucks!


On the plus side, little man officially crawled on all fours and is no longer scooting like an inch worm. This all occurred on my birthday 3.14.16 and I couldn't ask for a better birthday gift.

25!

Today marks my 25 birthday.  I greet my birthday with so much pent up mixed emotions. I want to cry because of the last 6 years of my birthday I celebrated it with someone special. 6 years, it feels like eternity.  I'm happy, I'm a mom  and for my 25th birthday I woke up next to the most handsome 10 month old, my son.

I'm in transition, at the age when I thought I would have it all figured out, 25.   Here I am,  I am living at my parent's home with my son with hopes of having my own home, I'm rushing to work in Massachusetts when I would rather partner and help grow my mom's business, I am in the middle of a divorce and custody battle when I would much rather be with my forever person raising our child with hopes of having more.

In all this, I do thank God! I woke up to mark another day, another year.  25! You are a miracle, not everyone lives to see this age.  25!

I am ready to embrace the journey...

where will life take me at 25?

I declare this my year, 25! In Jesus Name!

So for my 25th birthday... a blog a day to keep the negative thoughts away. (okay and because writing is cathartic/therapeutic)

Induction: The Beginning of my journey

I am proud to be a Teach For America Massachusetts 2012 corps member.  Today I would be starting induction (sounds like I am joining an honor society or sorority right?) meeting the rest of 2012 Massachusetts corps members as well as the lovely staff of TFA Mass. Before I launch into the whole spiel of induction, let me first clarify what Teach for America is and briefly explain why I chose to do it (I will go more in depth in subsequent posts).

So what is this Teach for America? Is it a cult? Teach for America is an organization whose mission is one day ALL children will be given equal education by working to close the achievement gap.  The only way for this to occur is to enlist the help of individuals who are passionate about this cause who will work in classrooms working to close the achievement in areas that suffer from poverty.  Teach for America believes that a child's education should not be determined by their zip codes (more on this later, I really want to set the stage and show off what I learnt from my pre-work).  It is a two year commitment but many continue to make leaps and bounds in the classroom after their two years while others pursue other profession that may still impact education and low income families. Teach for America seeks individuals who will continue to make long lasting impact in closing that gap because they have seen that reality of inequality after teaching.  So why did I do it? One, I was not fully ready for law school but mostly because I care about causes bigger than myself.  Migrating to America has opened my eyes to so many injustices in a country that promotes equality and justice as well as my family has been impacted by so many non-profits fueling a need in me to give back. Education access has always been important because one's education is a deciding factor in one's life trajectory.  The epidemic of failing schools especially in urban centers have continuously failed some of the most talented individuals especially some of my peers.  Not only will it improve life of those in that neighborhood but imagine the impact economically and socially if the achievement gap is closed for the country. I knew I wanted to be a part of an organization with such a noble selfless mission.

As stated earlier today, I was being inducted, inducted into a group of passionate, knowledgeable, selfish, and hardworking individuals. Induction is the week where the corps comes together for an introduction to our region, each other, learn about the expectations, prepare for institute, and discuss why we have chosen this work.  I honestly did not know what to expect at induction, the packed schedule of a day starting 7am and ending 6pm alone made me nervous.  Also, the fact that we had to complete 45 hours of pre-work (I will dedicate a post to this later on) that we would be discussing also made me anxious.

For induction we would be staying at the swankiest apartments/suites at Boston University (so posh!) and yay me I was paired with my friend Miss W. After checking we went to Match Charter School nearby for opening ceremonies.  Our keynote speaker left me so inspired, frustrated with the system, excited to be a part of the change, humbled, and inspired (so on fire!!).  As she began her speech there was a hush, no she was not a CEO of a company, a superintendent, Principal or teacher but that's because she was so much better than that she was the night shift custodian in TFA Mass office.  Yes, the custodian, she described how she migrated from the country and was placed in an ESL class and eventually graduated from high school despite the challenges.  She described being told by her guidance counselor that she would not be able to attend college because she was not a citizen and it would be expensive.  Now picture a 12 year old brought to this country, not knowing that she was not here legally (rant: my 2nd favorite topic after education is immigration reform especially the Dream Act).  Anyway she describes this fervor to go to college no matter how long it would take to save up.  During her speech describes that her school ended up being a level school and was shut down which made her feel like her diploma that she worked so hard for meant nothing.  She concluded her speech with bad and good news; she would no longer be working as a custodian with TFA because she would now be attending UMASS.  As inspirational as her story is it upset me simply because no child should have to put off college or feel inadequate.  As a future teacher, I want to be that person that changes the generation of my future student's life.  After staring at the ceiling trying to hold in my tears it was nice to hear the middle school students and a corps member who is their music teacher sing Nas I know I can and the good ole feel good song, no not Kumbiya but Lean on Me (my 6th grade song).  We were able to break off in smaller groups with current corps members to get to know each other. Let the adult camp bonding begin loll. I am having so much fun...Stay tuned.

Guess I should start signing my blogs the following ....lol :)

Get fired up cuz I am ….

- Miss Logan

This Crazy thing called LOVE

I decided to go through my drafts and I found this. I think I wanted to add more to it. But, reading it now...I like it the way it is.  It's simple but it describes exactly how I was feeling at the time.  So without further ado something I wrote May 2, 2011.  

Love....
Where do I start?
I've been in love then out of love
I have liked and then disliked
When, in a relationship, I invest so much of myself.  Sometimes I feel that I just give too much.  I give away so much of myself that when I'm not with that person...I'm lost and confused.  I have given, given, and given....the person may not have asked but I just give myself away.  Unlike me,  I have never met a person to match my level of giving.   They love me, nonetheless, I know it, see it, and they show it everyday but still I feel as though it is not enough.  Is it because I just give way TOO MUCH...more than the average person should?

I guess so...

How do I fix that?
 I want me back...

JUDGE NOT

While creeping I stumbled upon someone's favorite quotations.  I am a quote person so immediately I was intrigued....
And this is what I found:


I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said,
'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
JUDGE NOT!!

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car ..

Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!


By: Ruby Collins.  


It immediately struck a nerve. It was the most eloquent way of stating that we should never judge 


Whether you are a Christian or not, the underlying message can be applied in everyone's lives.  We are constantly told to not judge a book by its cover.  Yet, as humans we are constantly looking down at the next person, judging them for the circumstances they are in, physical appearance, and much more.  However, meanwhile we are persecuting our brothers and sisters we completely ignore the flaws that others see in us. Why are we so quick to judge? How come we are not more introspective or empathetic to others and their situations?  We must constantly work on ourselves and each person we meet remember they have a story.  Despite the fact that it may completely polar opposite from yours we should never judge them.   


"Let he without sin cast the first stone" or in this situation "Let he without flaws begin to judge"

Mombasa Raha Day 3

Mombasa 

June 7, 2011

Today was an exciting day...It would be our first free day.  Okay well not entirely free.  We left the hotel a bit later than usual and walked to the beach.  When we got there the professor announced that we would be going on a Water Safari.  Some of the group stayed behind at the the hotel so we waited for them.  After everyone arrived we sat around some more and took pictures.  Our boats had not arrived so Johnothan and I decided to ride a camel.  It was such an awesome experience.  When I sat on the camel since I was in the front it lurched up and from the front up and I felt a jerk that frightened me a bot.  We rode for about 15 minutes.  Johnothan and I was being silly singing and posing on the camel.  Once we were done the camel sat down front first which was another sudden jerk.  

Just in the nick of time the boat arrive and our water Safari would begin.  I did not know what to expect as I have never heard of a water safari before. We set sail on the Indian Ocean. Apparently, there is a glass in the bottom of the boat so you can see the bottom of the ocean.  We saw the coral reefs and school of fishes.  It was indescribable.  I love water and fishes so this made my day.  Once we got out to the open ocean, one of the guys jumped and dived under and started feeding bread to the fishes.  The most beautiful zebra fishes rose to the top.   I screamed and shouted with joy punda malia fishes.   Then, we  were told that we could jump and snorkel and feed the fishes.  I was brimming with excitement.  I had never done anything like this before. I found snorkeling kind of difficult but I was able to feed the fishes.  There was also an Ugandan couple on our boat who was in Kenya for their honeymoon.  I even dived under the boat and touched the glass. 

We sailed out further to a blue lagoon with a sandbar.  Today, was a day of firsts.  I never heard of a sandbar either.  Sandbars are places in rivers, sea, and oceans that have a gathering of rocks, sand, and pebbles that may be more shallow than the rest of the ocean.  I never knew such a thing existed and so far from the shore and in an ocean.  We took tons of pictures and reveled in the moment.  

After we got back to the shore.  We had a free day.  I went  IL Covo...everyone in the group is in love with this place. WE ordered tons of food and it was so good.  The guys went to get a full body massage for five dollars and I went to swim in the pool.

Since it was our last night in Mombasa our professor arranged for us to go out on a group dinner.  Surprisingly we sowed up to Bombolulu.  On our way there we encountered a loud screaming which later we learned that someone was being hysterical.  Due to the beliefs of the people here they believed she must be possessed or that someone must have put a spell on her.  Two girls from our group suggested they go to the hospital but they disagreed with them.  The food was great and they had a dance floor for us to enjoy.  It was a great last night in Mombasa.  

Mombasa Raha Day 2

June 7, 2011
Mombasa

Today we had another lecture.  Today's lecture focused primariliy on politics.  The presenter, Yusuf, is the secretary to the Shirikisho party.  He explained the political party and its struggles in placing many people in Parliament.  One of the startegies they used was joining with the poltical stronghold and ruliing party, PNU.  Despite their efforts thgey were stuill unsucessful.   They lecture also covered some history that we knew about.

After the lecture we went to this great cultural center that is doing amazing things.   The name of the place is Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Center.   They work with people of all abilities.  The people there despite their disabilities have the best ability and it's to create some beautiful art pieces.  The neatest thing was one group of men make wheelchairs for the other members who may need it.  They even have a school for children with disabilities and house most of them there.  The staff there performed for us and gave us a tour of more Bomas (if you don't know what that means see previous post ).   The performance was the best depiction of traditional dancing thus far.  Of course I jumped in and showed off with my Caribbean flavor.  They were all astounded by moves. At the end of the tour we went to the gift shop so I bought some stuff there to support the wonderful work being done.

Today, Wamai would be treating us to a beach that was on the other side, on the North Shore.  The beach was beautiful although it had a lot of seaweeds.  I chilled and read a book.

Some people planned a thank you dinner for our hosts, Dr. Wamai, Carlo, Hellen, Ben, and Charles.  We took them to this really fancy restaurant called Ill Covo.  I danced a little in their bar upstairs.  It was a a pretty chill day.

Mombasa RAHA (pleasure and leisure)

June 6, 2011

Mombasa

Our first day in Mombasa.  It's really humid here but it's also really gorgeous.  It's the hottest I have ever been since in Kenya. The hotel provided breakfast and then we proceeded to the tent outdoors for our lecture of the day.  We would be learning about the Swahili culture and people since we were now officially in SwahiliLand.  Our lecturer, Alawy Abzein, works for the museum of Kenya so he described the historical context behind alot of the cultural practice.  The culture of Mombasa or the Swahili people seems to draw alot from other cultures simply because they are on the coast so they interact with other through import and export. The original name for the Swahili people were Wanglizi.  Their culture is like a fusion of Middle East, Africa, Europe and India.  The men wear white robes and a hat with a tassel while the women wear black robes and cover their faces. Their music called the tarap has the mixture of all those countries described.  It was a very informative lecture and it was nice again to see the difference in cultures that one country can possess, all the diversity.  

Following our blog we went to see Old Town Mombasa.  It was the most beautiful city.  The construction iof the building were semblance of Portugual.  It definitely had European influence.  We went on a tour of Fort Jesus.  Fort Jesus has an interesting hsitory behind it beacsue it has been used for any purposes bcy many groups of people.  It was built by the Portugueses as a naval base, then it was taken over by the Oman Arabs, later the Bristish had claim to it and lastly it was a prison.  Through the fort their were little windows and the view of the ocean was amazing through them.  They even have an actual body display under the tree it was found.  We then had a walk through tour of Old Town.  While on the tour I bought a coconut and a mango.  Both were yummy and filling. 

Last stop on our list was for the day was a private hospital.  The name of the hospital is the Aga Khan Hospital which is apart of Aga Khan Health Services.  This facility was comparable to facilities in the United States.  It was a drastic change from the other hospitals and clinics that we have visited.  One could see the clear difference in services for the wealthy and the poor.  We met with Dr. Amyn Lakhani who works in the Health Services section of the Aga Khan Network.  He has had experiences in medical and health sectors in many places around the world.  He discussed health workers and I knew he would be a great source for my paper.  

At the end of the day we went back to our hotel.  We hung out in the pool for the rest of the day playing a bunch of games.  

On The Road Again: Nairobi to Voi to Mombasa

Friday, June 3

Driving to Nairobi

Today we would be leaving Kissumu  We woke up extra early because it would be an all day drive.  As usual we stopped a couple of times for chai for snacks, and to use a friendly bush.  We stopped in the town of Nakuru for munch but I was too exhausted so I stayed on the bus instead to read and sleep.  We drove from there straight to Nairobi.  We pulled into Comforts and it was the best feeling ever Home Sweet Home!!! I love the atmosphere created by the staff and the rooms in Comforts so I was extremely happy to be back.  I went straight to my room to use the Internet naturally.  I went to sleep early as we would be travelling again tomorrow and I wanted to wake up to pack. 

Sunday, June 4

On the road again driving to Voi/Tsavo

Voi

Today we would make a stopover in Voi before we went to Mombasa.  We would be going to game reserve.  The trip was not bad, we arrived at our new hotel at around 2:30 pm.  We stopped for chai as usual and to use a friendly bush.  The hotel we would be staying for the night was absolutely stunning.  The design was creative.  It looked like a tree-house on the ground  I was living in an actual hotel room but some people in the group got to stay in these cool  tents  that had a full bathroom.  There was a quad and the rooms surrounded the quad.  Everyone was really excited.  We ate lunch at the hotel and then we headed out for Tsavo East National Park: Theater of the Wild.  It was a ten minute drive from our hotel.  When we got there it took us a while to get in.  Our logistics guy Ben and the driver Charles said the best times to come is duck before they close and dawn  The Park was okay we saw some elephants and tons of gazelles.  At the exit we were greeted by buffaloes crossing the road.  The best part of the day though was going into the town and chilling with the guys.  Ben, Charles, Johnothan, Sam, Russ, and I went to the barbershop as they all decided to get a trim.  For the price of a 100 Ksh or $1.16 one gets a haircut, a wash, and a head massage.  The guys were all smiles.  We head back home and I immediately went to sleep as we needed to be up at 6:15 to go back to the park. 

Sunday, June 5

Tsavo East Park again

En route to Mombasa

The hotel staff woke us at around 5:50 to be ready to head to Tsavo East in the morning.  Ben told us that the best time to go is in the morning because the animals are moving first thing.  We were greeted by an elephant as we drove in.  I was really tired so at times when not much activity was going on I would sleep.   We took the same road we did the previous night and as we drove by we saw a dead giraffe lying there hollowed out.  We knew it happened last night.  It reminded me of the saying "Only the fittest survive".  We passed a gazillion gazelle (alliteration), saw giraffes eating from the trees, and standing in the road.  The cutest thing we saw were three elegant female ostriches and then all of a sudden we saw male ostrich perch down near them and he coked up and started swaying his black and white feathers side to side.  en and Dr. Wamai explained that it was their mating dance .  One of the females went close and walked away...he took it as a sign of interest and followed her. He proceeded to the dance again but they completely ignore again.   The animals were natural posers it was awesome.  We saw punda malias/ zebras.  Zebras are beautiful creature...I love their stripes.  Lastly we went to a far out part of the park....we were driving till Charles came to a halt once Ben says, "I have seen the lion".  This has to be the most epic saying on the trip.  Ben always spots things that none of us can actually see. Everyone was in a frenzy stating that they couldn't see. We waited there for a long time felt like an hour but I think it was for about 15-20 minutes.  Other buses came and parked looking out.  we were told that there were three lions.  Heading  east towards the lion was a whole group(?) of elephants.  We were hoping that it would scare the lions from their hiding place and that was exactly what they did.   Three female lions emerged from the bushes...we snapped pictures non stop.  Then they went back  into hiding.  we got pictures of them peeking up every now and then.  The elephants decided to cross in front of us.  They travel in a interesting way but it ensures that they are safe.  One elephant would stay behind  and one ahead on both sides of the road.  When they were crossing one stopped in the middle to ensure that it was okay.   One was literally a few feet from the bus it was exciting. Poor Ben was really scared...lol.  After the elephants crossed the lions reyreated back to their spot and I was able to get some cool shots.  It was like being in National Geographic.  We drove back to the exit where we were greeted by baboons and baby elephants.  We spent 4 hours in the park.  Amazing! Next destination was Mombasa...we would have to hurry and get ready to leave in an hour.

The drive to Mombasa was really short.  No one wanted to stop.  Everyone was dying to go to the beach. Once we got there we checked into the Kahama to Mombasa was really short.  No one wanted to stop.  Everyone was dying to go to the beach. Once we got there we checked into the Kahama hotel.  The hotel was like an American hotel...it had fancy key cards that control the electricity.  We were definitely in a tourist destination.  The hotel had Air conditioner, movie channels, and pool with a slide  We all decided to troop to Indian Ocean which is right behind the hotel. WE hung out in the ocean for an hour and half playing various games  Since the tide was coming in we retreated to the hotel room.  Afterwards My roommate Carlo, Amina and I got dressed up and ate at the hotel bar to have dinner.  It was a good day.  Finally, we were able to relax.