A few weeks ago I was thinking about it and realized, I have not been unwell in a really long time away from home. Since I came to this new land (which I just marked a year in this week) I actually haven’t been unwell and I was feeling extremely grateful about it. But, maybe I thought too soon and jinxed it.
My good friend and I acknowledge how brutal it is to be unwell away from home, alone. It could be as simple as a cold - as mine is and yes, I tested for COVID, it’s just a flu - or a more serious illness, but being unwell really exposes your vulnerability. Cue in family, friends and loved ones.
My week started with family, three generations +80 years between us. I have received so much love in words, on calls, Whatsapp video calls, Facetime calls, birthday song voice notes, and texts from back home (roaming fees aren't cheap), via emails, through books, gifts and in flowers. It’s been a stark reminder that even when you’re far apart, you’re not alone. That there’s a community of people rooting for you, who have your back and for me, that’s special.
So let’s get into this check in. Sheila shared this thread last year and I loved it so much I shared it on this earlier post here. I have made some modifications to my weekly one and added a few questions. So as it’s the first week of my new year, let’s do some reflecting together.
1. What was the hardest part of the past week for you?
Definitely getting sick away from home. It’s mild, nothing too serious but that feeling of lethargy and your body being in discomfort, nursing yourself back to health, that’s been hard.
2. What did you do this week that made you feel good?
If you know me well, you know that when I find good people, I hold on to them. Abraham and I have been working together for about two years now and have been working towards building my portfolio. For my birthday, I got a portion of IFB1/2022/018. That made me feel good.
As I did yesterday, despite not feeling and wanting to, going out for a walk, sitting in the park, getting some fresh air and reading a little bit.
Community is a big value key word for me. My professional community back home is so solid and this coming week we have a number of engagements around the Kenya Internet Governance Forum. Here’s the schedule of all events coming up, I hope to ‘see’ you there!
5. How are you feeling today, really?
Physically - woke up feeling slightly better, no pain, slight cough that’s in and out, lethargic; Mentally - underutilized, emotionally - stretched.
6. What’s taking up most of your headspace right now?
The need to build, develop and stick to a daily routine.
Hulu! No one told me that’s where it’s at, Hulu is where it absolutely is at.
8. What's one thing that brings you energy and joy?
Endless possibilities of what could be.
Strong ties, connections, family, friends, gifts, USCIS and new possibilities.
10. What have you learnt or discovered about
a) yourself this week - Why I like to work so much or say that being busy is how I like my life - I’m a creature of order, structure and predictability; and
b) Anything else this week? The person(s) you reach out to when you have good news, that’s your people - first person that comes top of mind.
11. What is your favorite quote or what stood out for you this week?
Go where you’re wanted.
12. What did you accomplish that made you happy this week?
Honestly, it’s been a very unproductive week because of how my body’s been going so let me be shallow. I legit made the perfect lemon and honey tea. I kid you not, it hits the spot
13. What is something you will do for yourself this coming week?
Work and engage constructively during KIGF Week. Sign up and Register here.
In a recent experiment, scientists observed that single human cells in a petri dish will actually seek each other out and adhere to each other to form new connections. When cells team up, they become stronger. They thrive and evolve and eventually become something bigger than their single cells ever could have been. We are an extension of our cells. Just like them, we are programmed to find others, to reach out for one another and find nourishment and love. Like our cells, we're not meant to be alone. So once we find each other, try not to let go.
MEREDITH GREY - Season 18 Ep 5
I really enjoyed watching this YouTube video by Rina Hicks and Edward Odundo who gave fantastic relevant true life insights on the MONEY MOVES TO MAKE DURING THE DIFFERENT PHASES & STAGES IN LIFE. This quote he said, stood out to my tea drinking self. ‘If you’re drinking a cup of tea, and the cup breaks, you don’t stop drinking tea, you get another one and move on.’
Have a great week!
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