Dear Diary,

Here I am sitting in the darkness trying to type. I have to say though, it’s pretty nice sitting around trying to play scrabble with some really cool people, squinting in the candle light to see the letters on the old tiles. Actually, they’re playing and I’m lounging. Kenyan style. In the dark

Seriously though, how was your week? Mine was interesting, as usual. Here’s the thing on my mind though: A non-Kenyan male friend recently shared with me that the word on the street is…are you ready? “Kenyan girls are cheap.” Whaaaa???!!!?!?!? I’ve gotta say I got a bit defensive about that, for all of 5 seconds. He was kind enough to let me in on why Kenyan girls have such a nasty reputation. According to him, if they (the girls/females) think that you might have money and/or you’re a foreigner, then they’re willing to give up what they think the man wants. OUCH! Since that very painful conversation, I’ve tried to look at things from the male perspective and I have to admit that it’s not looking good. Ladies, is this true?!?! Continue Reading »

Dear Diary,

I honestly don’t feel like sharing much. Maybe it’s coz I’m sleepy or maybe I’m just a little bummed. Maybe both. This week, I had to say goodbye to someone I very much rather not say goodbye to. They mean a lot to me and I’m disappointed that it has come to this. Honestly I just wanna have myself a little boohoo party but I’m a big girl now, so I guess I’m taking the stiff-upper-lip approach, with a small quiver in my lower lip

Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone you’d rather stayed? Maybe broken up with someone when you were hoping it’d last or had to end a friendship that just wasn’t working out? What did you do to get through it? How did you cope? What advice or suggestions would you give me? Please share with me in the comments section. I could use the encouragement this week.  Continue Reading »

Dear Diary,

What a rough, weird and interesting week! I’ll skip the rough and interesting and go right to the weird. I met a guy. Nothing weird about that, right? So how come in our first conversation he asked for my number so that he can “flash me” so I can call him back? This was right after he implied that I was fat (gasp!) Still need to be convinced diary? How about this? By the next conversation – and by next I mean second – he referred to me as his girlfriend and insisted on it! Ohhhh dear diary but there’s more. By our third conversation he insisted on referring to me as his wife! WHAAAAAA??? Is he crazy?

Ok, I know what you’re thinking: he was probably joking…nothing serious…meant no harm…don’t take these things too seriously…blah blah blah. I admit that maybe I was getting abit too serious about it but still; don’t you think it’s a tad much to be talking like that to someone he barely knows? We haven’t even been on a first date for goodness sakes! Well, I knew it’d take some convincing for you to see this my way so here’s the last straw for me.

During our last conversation, he actually said – OUT LOUD – “oohhhh, you sound horny!” Dear diary, are your eyes bulging out of their sockets yet? Did you just throw up a little in your mouth? Feel any disgust? Well, I did! That was the last straw, especially after he repeated himself twice. Dear Diary, I’m done with this weirdo. Count me out! Next! Continue Reading »

Welcome to Mia’s Diary. I’m super excited to be collaborating and contributing to The Lily Review. This is going to be fun; at least that’s the plan, and I’m really looking forward to it.

Since this is our first meeting, I thought it’d be great to start with some R&R. One of the things that we do on a daily basis is talk about something or someone or someplace. Sometimes, we rave – speak in a positive light – (like when a Matatu charges you 30bob to “tao ndani” and then actually does take you tao ndani) and other times, we’re pissed off (e.g. like when Uchumi displaces its product and then attempts to sell it to you but for the higher price and then refuses to refund the difference. Major Rant!)

I would love to hear your rants and raves for the day, week, month and year in the comments. Basically, wewe sema tu! Just come over and tell me all about it. For my part, I’ll also contribute my rants and raves, and somewhere in between, I’ll also be talking about random but interesting things. Before we can move on, here are a few pledges: Continue Reading »