March 31, 2011

If you care, show you do !
TerryMarch 31, 2011 0 comments

Today I went to pick up my daughter's end-of-term academic file and report form. I thought they were closing tomorrow (Friday) until I re-read the letter from her school. I had planned to get to la universidad very early and catch up on International Relations but postponed it to this afternoon when I'd be free.
The letter indicated that parents collect the files from 9am and to kindly keep time. I went at 8:45am as the 3rd parent to arrive.
As I waited for my turn to go in, more parents were streaming in; many mothers, a few fathers and couples. Mr. had an early appointment at the office so  I went alone.
Then, shock on me! enters this riff ruff of a girl with ugly, shapeless, ill-fitting black shorts, noisy flipflops and an over sized jumper. She looked like she had been washing clothes then run over to get the report card.
It was obvious she was the househelp (Note: I have nothing against househelps, infact I can't live without one).

I looked at her and wondered to myself, isn't a child's academic and social well-being of concern to a parent?  It only takes at most 2 HOURS of your time, in three months! It's not much of a sacrifice, it's your responsibility anyway!
I am sure all those parents who were there with me had other things to attend to, me included but chose to come to their child's school first because we have our priorities right and also understand the important gesture of being there, showing love and support for our children's  well being.
If you are gonna send someone on your behalf, it's advisable that the person understands how important your child's progress is to you and mirrors that as you would.
A teacher I know once told me she feels very offended when parents send the help to collect the report form because the day is set aside to also enable a parent discuss their child's performance in and out of class for the mutual benefit of the child and those are issues you'd rather not discuss with a non-parent/guardian.
According to her, if the parent(s) is not able to attend on that day, make an appointment to see your child's teacher at a date and time convenient for you, within working hours ofcourse.
I saw another househelp who I know, the family she works for resides in the  same court as us. This one was different, what impressed me was that you wouldn't be able to tell her apart from the other Mommy's. She had obviously taken her time to dress and look good before coming to face the teacher.

Sometimes it's a challenge to fulfill our priorities but to enjoy moments of bliss, we must ! You'll feel great as you watch the beautiful sunset knowing you did it.

March 29, 2011

Insomnia in the dark
TerryMarch 29, 2011 0 comments

Yesternight KPLC decided we'd had enough electricity and buuuuh! black out at 7:30pm just as I had positioned myself infront of the television to watch Rythm City on E! then on to my favourite soap soy tu duena on Citizen. I went to bed early.
I woke up at  2:20am to go find my son and take him to the loo because Mr. went up to his room and couldn't find him there. Kumbe he was scared of the dark (like me) and went to sleep in the girls bedroom. Mission accomplished, I went back to bed but kept tossing and turning for the next many minutes. Usually I get to sleep like a cat to milk but tonight, apparently not !!
Note: we were still off the national electric grid so I couldn't go watch TCM / CNN /Al-Jazeera and whatever else TV stations play at night. I went to the kitchen and got a glass of hot Ribena ....... Yes, Ribena diluted with hot water, Thank God we always have it in a thermos.
The hot Ribena worked like magic. I was soon fast asleep unfortunately I dreamt that I was having a sleepless night, talk of double portion.
I've just Googled what causes insomnia in women?  and all articles seem to zero in on Menopause, ha ha ! naaaaayyy !! Yours trully is like a gazillion years away from that !!!
I've come to my own very informed conclusion, I was angry at Kenya Power, that's it ! you know one needs to be well relaxed to enjoy a good night's sleep.
How dare they make us be in darkness an entire night ???? Without electricity life comes to an almost standstill!
I woke up (no electricity yet!) fatigued and splashed cold water on my face to jolt me.

I need to call home and find out if power is back for this faithful customer and her household, Not blissful at all.

March 24, 2011

Baby + Viagra (part 2)
TerryMarch 24, 2011 0 comments

Apparently, I may have jumped the gun in my previous post  Baby + Viagra = ????? http://momentsandbliss.blogspot.com/2011/03/baby-viagra.html.
According to Kenyatta National Hospital and other like-minded people, Sildenafil (Viagra) was the right course of treatment.
“Some babies develop persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate (PPHN), a condition where the pressure in the blood vessel that allows blood to flow to the lungs remains abnormally high. This also occurs in babies who have aspirated meconium.
“Persistent high pressure in these vessels leads to less blood flow to the lungs and, therefore, less oxygen reaching the blood and all organs of the body.
“Sildenafil may cause these vessels to relax and allow for improved blood flow and improved oxygen delivery to all organs,” read the  KNH statement.

I'm not a medic but then there's always Dr. Google who I've consulted to access various researches regarding this matter and I am neither convinced nor persuaded that this would have been the best possible treatment.

According to http://www.nichd.nih.gov/cochrane/shah10/shah10.htm , Sildenafil may cause these vessels to relax and allow for improved blood flow and improved oxygen delivery to all organs. However, this therapy is not adequately studied in infants and more research is needed.

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/lungs/meconium.html#  ............ putting in an endotracheal tube (a plastic tube that's placed into the baby's windpipe through the mouth or nose) and applying suction as the tube is slowly removed. This allows the infant to receive suctioning of both the upper and lower airways. The doctor will continue trying to clear the airway until there's no meconium in the suctioned fluids.

When I underwent the emergency C-Section, the hospital was fully prepared to deal with any eventualities given that the baby was post-term. I believe, having experienced it first hand, that when a hospital is dealing with an "unusual" case it should be prepared and not be caught unawares which I think is the case here.

I will continue researching and inquiring about this issue from all medics I know.

March 22, 2011

Baby + Viagra = ???????
TerryMarch 22, 2011 1 comments

Today am gonna write in red because am deeply saddened and enraged by some news I heard on my way home.
There I was cruising down Thika road, enjoying the moments and the bliss. I stop at a petrol station to fuel as I enjoy some 'oldies' on classic FM. As soon as I rejoin the main road, the 6pm news come on and this is when my blood boils.
" Doctors at the Kenyatta National Hospital are on the spot in a case of gross negligence after a new born baby died at the hospital after he was put on Viagra"  
whaaaaaaaaaaaat !!
I felt like someone had pierced my heart and was cutting through my stomach with a brunt machete. How in the Hippocrates oath is this possible?? what the @#$* was that Doctor thinking?? Did he ascertain he was treating an incubated baby not a 70year old senile man ??  

According to the anchor, the baby had been born one and a half weeks past the due date and had to be incubated. The Doctor prescribed the blue pill which the parents purchased from town and took to the hospital where it was given to the baby. HOW x a million??
I always make sure to ask the Doctor what medication he/she has prescribed for my children every time I take any of them to hospital and if I don't feel satisfied, I seek a second opinion and continue to do so until am comfortable with the treatment. I am not in way suggesting that the parents are also at fault but it is best to seek proper explanations and  opinions of all those in-charge of you or your loved ones health.
I sympathize with the parents because I know the anxiety a parent feels when their baby is past the due date. My son was past by two weeks and I had to undergo an emergency C-Section. Mr. waited outside the theatre at 11pm till he saw our baby brought out safe and sound, cleaned and incubated. Thank God he (our son) was well despite having started relieving himself like an 'outsider' while still in the womb. He was incubated for 5 days, I have never prayed so much in my life. All I wanted was to hold him in my arms and take him home. My mother thinks he's a genius, he has a photographic memory and he's a very healthy 7 year old.

Cases of negligence and wrong diagnosis have increased, from Coast to Kisumu, Machakos to Marsabit. What is the problem? 
The Kenyan education system has often been accused of churning out half-baked graduates, could that be the case of our Medical schools? or maybe some Doctors are so lazy and ignorant they don't even bother to keep up to date with the latest and approved treatments and procedures.
 The relevant authorities need to step-in  and take charge, guard Kenya against such fools in our health care system.


      
 
        +






is the above equation right ???????????????

March 21, 2011

Birthday weekend
TerryMarch 21, 2011 0 comments

A lovely weekend it was! I've immensely enjoyed the showers of blessings and what a better time than when mi hijo turned 7. He invited his friends on Saturday afternoon for cake, crisps e.t.c.
What I like most about my kids birthdays is that they aren't an expensive affair unless Mr. & I want it otherwise.
As long as there's cake and friends, then that's a happy birthday. I'm basking in bliss though I don't know for how long.
Maybe a time will come when they'll demand all manner of gadgets they saw at a friend's / shop / advert ???

birthday boy ready to blow the candles

not without my 'sidekick' sister

they each wanted two lollipops .... they got 'em

Mommy and the birthday boy
Oh, the chief entertainer

Yesterday (Sunday) I did my daughter's hair. I haven't done that in along time. Look at the hair transformation from Saturday night to now. I love the sato retro-look but it's hard to manage and maintain.
I did a great job, don't you think so ?



March 19, 2011

morning dew
TerryMarch 19, 2011 1 comments

I've just woken up with so much psyk. It rained through out the night. Rain makes sleep so nice and soothing and the morning so beautiful.
I love the morning drizzle, dew on the grass, the heavenly scent of it all ! I'm loving it.
It has been too hot lately, even for Africa, the rain is welcome. No me gusta mucho calor. Deseo buen tiempo, ni calor ni frio aunque no soy Dios así que no hay nada que pueda hacer (I don't like very hot weather. I wish for cool days; neither hot nor cold though I'm not in control so there's nothing I can do).
I hope the drizzle eases at around mid-morning because today my son is having a birthday party. I told you about it HERE

May God give you of heaven's dew and of earths richness............ Gen 27:28

Buenos dias mis amigos

March 16, 2011

Semana de la Cultura (Culture week)
TerryMarch 16, 2011 2 comments

yeah, I know I ought not to be away this long. Truth is, I kept logging on and off to post, I knew what I wanted to write about but the words were not flowing. I am not sure if it was flesh Vs. spirit or neither, maybe it's just me. Today I decided I must come what may.

Last week we had the culture week en la Universidad, I told you about it click here. To say it was great is an understatement. It was an awesome event to take away the pressures of Lectures and all that appertains to them (BTW, I'm wondering if there was a memo to Lecturers to build a mountain of group work for us to scale after Mid-sems. Every body I know, me included has group work for 4 courses .... eish ...... )

Thursday evening was culture night to end the week. Somali took the floor first, they really outdid themselves in representing their culture .... it was spectacular. Nigeria and Burundi also did well as all the cultures represented in this melting pot. Check out some photos of the event:
Even Maasai market was here !


A taste of the freshly brewed Ethiopian coffee
fufu, pepper soup, plantains .......... and all foods Nigerian
 I had a taste of the Somali and Nigerian food; hot, spicy and yummy, craving for more, I'm planning to try the fried plantains and jollof rice, got the recipes online at another of "sites I love"

Bushra and I. I love her Somali outfit !

Judy and I
 

A lovely Maasai attire.(sorry the photo is 'sideways')
 
Ethiopia

Burundi

Nigeria
t'was a great way to end the week! I got to experience a taste of different cultures from within and beyond plus it was so much fun, Trully Moments & Bliss!

March 8, 2011

mumbling
TerryMarch 8, 2011 0 comments

Today for my Introduction to Broadcast Media class , we were getting our maiden feel of the camera. 
I've been yearning for this day the entire weekend, my chance to feel like a real journalist ! I had several topics in mind but none was fully developed. Irene, one of my classmates gave me some work she had done in her English class 'learning from a dog' . It was a really interesting article and that's what I decided to do for my 'reporting for .......' presentation.

heeeeeh ! wacha I got on set !!! Being in front of the camera is no joke! suddenly my mind went blank, Oops! The words didn't flow as well as I had prepared for, at times going completely blank. Usually, I'm never nervous speaking to a great multitude ( FYI, I was once the Public Speaking champion of Central Province music festivals{but do I say?})

Camera, that's a new forte for me to conquer. I felt kind of bad about it afterwards but I encouraged myself "A journey begins with a step'. Today was my step and av put my mind to going for the journey, I'm determined and feel it deep within me that this is my journey, my destiny, my passion and I'm in for the long haul.

Prepare for the best journalist our generation, here I come. The journey has just begun ........ 


We are having Culture Week to celebrate the different nationalities and diverse culture in the University. One of the activities is grafitti, my Friend Silvia and I went to have a look as the Visual Arts club were starting on it





Today started with a few stresses and ended as total moments and bliss !!


I celebrate all Women

March 4, 2011

Dream out loud !
TerryMarch 4, 2011 0 comments

Dreams come in many forms and provide insight into your greatest hopes and fears -- Oprah.com

Dreams and desires provide the powerful energy necessary for achievement, and yet someone must focus and direct that energy. When it comes to your dreams, that is your job.
Go ahead, dream the biggest, most wonderful and personally meaningful dream you can imagine, and feel the intensity of your longing for it. Then, with your passion at full throttle, get busy making that dream a reality. -- Ralph Marston


You may wonder why the title and quotes on dreams. Well, today I had this dream, the second time-same dream ! how what's that word again? !!!

In my dream, two friends (weren't close now, maybe later) from  Campus come to my place for a sleepover, my Mom is also visiting and has invited her fellowship over the next day. I decide to show them around, rather, take them on a tour of my house so they may know their way around whilst staying with us.
The house is a magnificent sparkling Victorian beauty, to say the least !
I can clearly see the sunken lounge and fire place, the spacious kitchen, dining area, the grand stairway that winds up at the entrance to the ballroom, yes, ballroom in my house which my friends and I will arrange later in readiness for Mom's fellowship.

The kid's bedrooms are AWESOME ! **mmmhhhmm...the interior decor lady did a great job..**
We then take the stairs up to the our bedroom, Mr. and I ... Heaven !! "Victorian furniture is simply gorgeous"
The study is just what it should be; nice,warm (fireplace),quiet,cozy and lots of books.

Just when am about to show the girls my walk-in closet, I feel so pressed. I get out of bed and run to the bathroom. Ooh oh oh, same old, same old. ....... deymn!! It's a dream
I've left out lots of detail to avoid boring you but you get my dream, don't you ?? I tried to sort of put it together on paper and on my O vision board. Take a peek though my dream was grander



master bath & jacuzzi

girl's room

pool area
cheki tu !

Sometime last year, Mr. and I were listening to a 'game' on our favourite radio morning show. The guy was asked what his wife's biggest dream was and he didn't know.
Mr. told me if it were him, he'd have gotten it right. I was surprised coz I couldn't figure out which dream (I have may) tops my list. I asked him what it was. He answered "for the family to live in a big house in Runda or Gigiri"
waaaaaaarrrrrr ??? He said I talk about it a lot often subconsciously and my eyes light up when I do.

Maybe, the universe is trying to tell me something through my dreams or is it wishful thinking?

my moments of bliss -- --- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 



Your dreams are not there to tease you with visions of what you do not have. Rather, your dreams truly show you, in a profound and intimate way, what is most certainly possible for you.

Your dreams are yours for a reason, and much of that reason is to entice you into living a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Dreams are not practical yet they have a reason that's as real and as worthwhile as any pragmatic consideration. If you let them take hold of you, they will steadily pull you forward. When you commit yourself to follow them, your dreams can bring out the best of you.

-- Ralph Marston


One of my favourite sites is http://greatday.com. No wonder the many quotes by Ralph. Read it if you haven't


Buenos Dias

March 1, 2011

marching on
TerryMarch 1, 2011 3 comments

It's a brand new month, yipeeee! The month of my son's birthday, he'll be turning 7 on the 18th, that means cake, lots of juice and junk food. I hope to make it very special.
I have never forgotten my Seventh birthday, it's the most special I ever had.
Those days, birthdays weren't really a big deal so it was even rare to hear of someone holding a party especially in the village where I grew up.


My 7th birthday was special because mi papa brought me the most beautiful card I have ever seen and he sang me  Boney M's "Brown girl ..............she looks like sugar in a plum", my favourite song then.
Aaaawwwwhh !!! * * * I felt special and loved, I sparkled * * *