Living in Liberia

I know, I know. It's kind of hard to post nowadays. I 'm sorry to let you all down. I promise to be regular with up and coming Liberian events and news you can use. Keep posted and send me some love people!

Older and wiser? Definitely true.

Happy birthday to me......

Have you dare to dream lately?

"I have a dream that one day..." What is your dream?

I couldn't help but pull out a copy of Dr. Martin Luther King's Dream Speech and read it. Savoring every meaning , not only the part that relates to equality and freedom for all but the part that says " I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together"

This is just the first step in his Dream and we are all seeing it together. Thank God I am alive to see this day. One day I too will explain it to my children and what it meant to me and should mean to them.

The Inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama( just for a few hours and then Mr. President!) I am looking forwardt o his speech and I know many other people are. The speech that will go down in History.

In Liberia, we are all setting our channel to catch the event. Big and small ,young and old. I guess I can say Africa is on the alert now. Wow, who would even have thought Liberia would have the first female President and USA the first black President?

Dare to dream and make a change because one way or the other, we are all given the opportunity to make a difference. I know I will....

I really think my new year's resolution should be ...stay away from sweet and exercise more often.

Can anyone tell me how to say no to sweets? I am finding it really hard. HELP!

After the season to be merry, is the time for sober reflection. What have I accomplish this year?

Did I do what I said I would? Was I kind/hard/bitter/mean to people around me. Did I cause others grief?

Do we have to wait for this time of the year(the last day) to take a step back and look at ourselves?

(So many questions!)

Can't help but wonder. As we spent the last remaining hours in the day, let us forget about the things that we did not do or did not do right and use the time to make it right and work.

To the people that we love ...love them more
To the people that we trust ...trust them more
To the ones that we hurt..never mind yah!
First thanks go to the Almighty God for sparing our lives to see each day.

I want to take this time to appreciate everyone who has made my life a better one just for being a part of it. Mommy & Daddy, Fatima, all my cousins at home and abroad. Aunties and Uncles, Worksmates, Friends for Life and most importantly to the man of my dreams " Bash". I love you lots

Happy New year to all.

Siata

Christmaas time is here....a very good time of the year...(singing)

The sounds ,sights and smell of Christmas is every where. At home, at work, on the streets and even in the way we speak and greet one another (compliments of the season! Or Merry Christmas).

I really feel everyday should be Christmas day. Reason being that every one is in a jolly mood even for just a moment.

Two days ago I was telling a friend.." I haven't felt the season yet" but today, I can’t wait to leave the office and go down town.

Christmas time is here!

It seems like every day in the office nowadays is a party. In Liberia now, the city will be fill to overflowing in the days leading to Christmas. People coming from the hinterlands to shop or visit relatives, bringing Christmas cheers and love.

Back in the days, my entire family would leave for the hinterlands to spent the holiday season with our grandma (God rest her soul). She was and still is an inspiration to me and the rest of our family. A strong woman. We will miss her this season (the days leading to Christmas, she would be dividing cash and food to all who came near)

Right after work, is shopping time at “Waterside". This is where the season starts. There is no Christmas in Liberia without a "Waterside purchase or visit". I pray some day it will change from a local market to a big shopping mall. That way it will accommodate all the shoppers that come to Monrovia just to get there.

Just a word of caution, if you plan to stay  trim and not exercise...Stay off the sweet this season( I should be saying that to myself ;))

From my family, Liberia and me, We want to say MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR TO COME.

And also like we say back here, MY CHRISTMAS ON YOU YAHHHHH!!!!!

Boy... we did it!

On Sunday, December 7,2008, "the girls" brought down the house with a fundraising program at Barnes's beach!

I really wish I had the opportunity to give you more vivid expressions and photos from that day but I have only 5 min to spare so I thought I write a few...

We started at 6:00am Sunday morning to prepare the food for the day. I mean it was all fun working together ,cooking, eating , picture taking, etc. Some of us were on the beach setting up the chairs, table sand ofcourse music.

Before we knew it , it was noon and time to get ready for the beach for us at home. We were all uniformed ( yellow t-shirt and hot.. I mean hot trousers!).
I mean things went so well that day, that some people have asked us to have more of such events. Because of this we have now decided to register our organization and make it more official. That way we can be recognized as a group of women to be proud of by the contributions we will make in our society.

Over all the mean reason for the day was to raise funds for some projects that we want to undertake; Scholarship for deserving children and gifts for the less fortunate this holiday season.

With the help of our sponsors, advisors, friends and well wishers , we can say that the day was a success.

 

 

 

 

 

What do you remember as a child? I mean fond memories...

For me I remember so much. I think I even remember when I started school.

I started thinking about this as the rainy season came to an end (we are officially in the dry season come tomorrow)

On my way to work, I saw some children playing in the rain! I mean running, rolling, pushing each other jokingly, and laughing. I mean, really having a goodtime.

I remember doing that also, but only when our parents were not around (then you get reprimanded that you might catch a cold) I don't remember getting sick though. Guess, there really is a child's angle around.

I remember mud wars, jumping rope, foot game, hand games. You just name it. I did them all (with the exception of a few that were "unchild like")

Nowadays in Liberia, you still find some of those same games and childhood antics. If you were

If you were a parent, would you chastise you child for e.g playing in the rain?

 

It is good to know that through all the hardship and strive that you find around, children are still children.

What can I say, it has been long since I have posted anything. Do you really blame me? I have been working furiuosly to pack up from my old job and move on to the new one. Yes..I have a new job. I've been wanting to post it ever since but wanted to get all the details in first.

I am both excited and apprehensive. I know expectations are high and I am really looking forward to learning something new.

 On top of it all, I have some friends new from Naija, visiting Liberia. More on that Later.

Today is an American holiday, so I had the day off to do some shopping and last minute preparation.

I might not be able to post as often as possible but will keep you updated all the same.

Keep the comments coming... just let me know what you really want to know from Liberia and I'll get the info as it is always my pleasure

It really is hard to ignore the fact that today is Election Day in the US, even though we are not in the US.

It is also hard to resist blogging about this event knowing that lot of people will be blogging about their experiences. But what do you know, either way it is history in the making and who won't want to relish the fact that they were alive and aware on that day?

In Liberia for example, from the moment I woke up this morning, It was the elections news on CNN. We all could barely sit and eat breakfast, glancing at the TV every now and then. Everyone wants to be the one to tell about something new they have seen or heard about the election or about OBAMA.

Then it was off to town and work but I had some stops to make on the way. We (my friends and I... that is another story I have to tell!) were riding to town and planning the rest of our day when sudden this guy jumps out and shouted" OBAMA!, YES WE WIN IT! Our time has come and we started to laugh and signal approval for his enthusiasm. The last glance I had of him was his t-shirt, a vote for OBAMA one. WOW! even in Liberia people all wined up....

Then it was a stop at the clinic and again, CNN/BBC with the election coverage. Patients attentively listening to every little detail, some was arguing while others looked on.
Back on the streets, I heard a guy say “They better don’t cheat OBAMA or else it won't be easy! Just imagine that. And he is not even an American. If this is the sentiments from Liberia, how are other people around the world feeling? There wasn't a single mention about McCain. Its like people have run him oven and have already predicted the outcome.That is that or nothing.

I couldn't help but think, do we have the right to feel this passionate about the US election?