Been a long time

So I lapsed on the blog writing. I stopped writing because I accumulated so many topics to write about that it became a bit overwhelming and then I just ended up not writing anything. Since my last real post I left Tanzania, finished my thesis, graduated, had a little heart break, went to India for a month, moved back to Texas (hopefully temporarily), and am now filling my days playing housekeeper and front desk clerk at my parent's hotel. I've also been planning my brother's wedding...I can check off wedding planning on my list of possible careers, NEVER will I do it! A good thing about being home is that I have found time to discover the ever wonderful, happy inducing Glee!

Right now I'm searching for a job, which is proving to be a frustrating process. I find myself thinking more about starting my own project than looking for a job, which is obviously not going to get me anywhere because without a job I have no capital!

Otherwise my life is at a bit of a standstill. I want to move to D.C. or NY but haven't built up the courage to move without even a job lead. So for the moment I feel very unsettled, in between what I've experienced and what is to come. Perhaps I'm supposed to use this time to process and understand, which is what I will try to use this space for. I'm also hoping this little unread blog of mine will help me push myself out of this rut before I become a fat couch potato blob.

So Linus (above) and Charlie (below) are keeping me sane while I'm home.

oooppps

1 month from today...

www.presidenterestaurant.com

In exactly one month I shall be boarding a plane and making the long journey back to good ole' Texas. Though I shall be sad to leave certain things and people that I've come to love, I can't help but be excited, primarily at the thought of all the food I shall eat when I arrive. My list, in no particular order...

1. MEXICAN

2. sushi

3. mother's home cooking

4. more of mother's home cooking

5. MEXICAN

6. MEXICAN

7. this new fusion place my brother goes on about.

8. MEXICAN

9. MEXICAN

10. and more MEXICAN

holy shits I can taste it now! (when I say mexican I really mean tex-mex, mmmmm)

Thandiswa

www.thenewblackmagazine.com/view.aspx?index=205

www.mio.co.za/article/thandiswa-mazwai-unveils-new-project-2009-02-11

Another one of my favorites from Sauti Za Busara...Thandiswa.

Thandiswa is a South African artist with what I think is a beautiful voice. Get background information here and read a review of her music here.

Check out her music here

(yes I'm linking multiple sites, but its the quickest way to share info. right now without trying to think up something to write...no time...im in handover mode!)

Mzungu Kichaa

One of the groups at Sauti that I liked and found a bit unusual was Mzungu Kichaa literally translating as "the crazy white man". Mzungu is the term given to foreigners in Tanzania, you often hear it being shouted out in a negative way. Luckily, since I look like I belong here, I don't get it. My friend's Swahili teacher said that it literally means someone who is walking around aimlessly.

Mzungu Kichaa is a Danish man that sings in perfect Swahili. His music is a blend of reggae and hip/hop and is liked by nationals and foreigners. Check out his music here His cd is on sell on i-tunes as well. Enjoy!

Here's a bit of his bio as written on his myspace page...

"Although Mzungu Kichaa originally hails from Denmark, he is one of the pioneers of East African bongo flava. His mission is to open the European market to East African music, with a foot in both Africa and the west Mzungu Kichaa is able to transcend barriers, build a bridge between cultures and reinforce the concept of music as a universal language.

In 2001, Mzungu Kichaa topped the East African charts with 'Mambo ya pwani', one of the first songs to take traditional Tanzanian music and fuse it with hip-hop...."

Sauti cover up

Back from the friendliest music festival, Sauti Za Busara. It was a great experience. The music was fantastic with beautiful, sultry voices, crazy drum beats, and guitar stringing. It was packed with foreigners, expats, the local Zanzibari community, folks from the mainland, and of course my office. There was some dancing, not as much as I expected, a lot of illegal drug usage, more than what I expected, and some down right dirtiness. I was impressed and saddened by the amount of fuel this festival consumed. Zanzibar has been without power since December with no hope of it returning before March. The island has been consumed by the noise of the generators, the smell of petrol, and just down right uncomfortableness for months on end.

What shocked me most is the way many people, especially women, were dressed. When folks think of Zanzibar as a fun island getaway with lazy days on the beach. This is true, but only on the private beaches. It is not an island where you can walk around in your bikini with a skimpy cover up, not an island where you your cleavage is everywhere, your shoulders are bare, and your legs exposed. Zanzibar is 95% and therefore, to respect the community one must cover up. Nobody is telling anyone to wear a hijab, just don't expose skin that doesn't need to be exposed. The website for the music festival had warnings on what not to wear, all the guide books mention it, and its pretty much common sense to respect the community you're in. Unfortunately, that was not the case here.

I didn't take my slr because I didn't want to lug it around so, I didn't get many good shots. Here's a few to give an idea of the fest.

He was trying to teach her how to shake her shoulders.

stoned Israelis

One of the skimpiest dressed girls who also enjoyed dancing in front of everyone near the stage.

morning or motion sickness?

Yesterday after work I went to the friendly neighborhood pharmacy to get motion sickness meds. There are 2 near my house. The one I've gone to in the past was full of people and the other was empty. So I regrettably went to the empty one. I told the lady I needed motion sickness medicine. She looked a bit confused so I said I'm going to be on a boat and I swayed back and forth to imitate some sort of rocking boat. She spouted out some long mumbo jumbo name and I said sure that one. I paid the equivalent of a buck and walked out. I took it this morning 7hrs before though, not 12 hrs before like she said .

This morning I had a meeting. Hour one I was fine, hour two started feeling iffy, hour three I damn near just put my head down on the table for a nap.

I came back to my office and googled the name of the med. Its for pregnant women to combat morning sickness! Grant it the symptoms are the same, but this shit is high dose. Maybe she thought I said morning not motion sickness. Or maybe my weight gain makes me look pregnant! After some more research I've learned this same medicine was being prescribed in the 80s and resulted in babies being born with short arms and legs. Ahhhh my poor non-existent baby! hahaha They say the meds have improved and its still being prescribed though many mothers-to-be would rather just live with their heads in the toilet, SHOCKER! hahaha

I'm sure the drowsiness will pass. But now what about the numbing of my hands...humph!