Work in Progress

    So, this is the where I begin to share my weight loss journey (this is me assuming that this is indeed a weight loss journey & not in fact a colossal waste of time).
    Rest easy, this is not another of those super skinny girls who claim to 'need to lose some weight' and in turn cause you to think not-so-nice thoughts about said skinny girl (I can't use the B-word; it's Sunday). THIS IS REAL PEOPLE. I won't share the number on the scale (that's sacrilege!), but I am currently a size 14.
    Don't get me wrong, any girl can rock any size. This is is not a betrayal of my fellow plus-size beauties, so you can put your pitch forks down. I've been a big girl since the day I was born (came in at a whopping 4 point something kg) and for the first 18 years of my life I rocked my God-given curves with my chin up and a spring to my step.
    I refer to last year as my year of hibernation because I did pretty much of nothing. That, coupled with the fact that I am the poster child for non-athletes, led to weight gain that I wasn't all for flaunting. From the beginning I've declared and strongly felt that 2014 is my year, and so far it has surpassed my expectations. After receiving my admission letter from U of R, I'm kinda on a roll, so guess what? This crazy gal signed up for boot camp! Yup, shit just got serious.
    The reason for taking such somewhat drastic measures is because I tried doing it on my own, then I was reminded I'm a big girl for a reason. We've all been through this before. Getting all psyched up and giving yourself a pep-talk about how you'll give up fries/get on that treadmill/ start doing sit-ups tomorrow (this is usually after pigging out on something either deep fried or smothered in chocolate). You'll be on track for the first 4 days, then the despair sets in because, let's face it, some of us were just not built for delayed gratification. Plus, I was getting my weight loss tips from Google for crying out loud! I needed someone who knew their stuff if I had any hope of reaching my weight loss goals.
    Thus prompted my decision to look for a boot camp program. I found a convenient one (on Google, no less) whose time I could make & location was easily accessible. Best. Decision. Ever! Sure, I get my ass whooped 3 times a week and leave having all my muscles in agony, but to be honest it feels awesome to be active again. Not to mention it's more bearable when it's a bunch of us groaning in pain. I exercise with a really fascinating & friendly group, & awesome trainers. Plus, ever since I got on this track, I find myself automatically making better choices when it comes to food. I didn't have an epiphany or anything. More like, when I'm tempted to go roam in the fridge, I remember that run I went for, or those blasted burpees, and I think, 'I didn't do all that in vain!' (Actually I think 'get behind me Satan!', but anyway...)
    I've been to seven sessions now, and I plan to continue going up until I leave for school. It's not easy, but I believe it's worth it. So for all you chicas out there going through this, you are not alone! And for those waiting for a sign, here it is. START! You're welcome to ask for details on the boot camp, anyone can join.

Keep your eyes peeled for updates.

Valentine's Day

The day of love is once more upon us...and has been topped off with lovely torrents. As much as I'd like to get all critical and sarcastic about how it seems like all Kenyans get an annual email demanding of them to incorporate red in their February 14th outfits, frankly I think it's kinda sweet that Nairobians go out on a limb to celebrate it through their wardrobe, even though it does tend to look like a tomato bomb exploded downtown. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)
I think the most ridiculous part of today was when I passed by a vendor selling flowers worth sh. 10,000. In this economy, if you get me those flowers, I'm kicking you to the curb, after which I'd mourn the 4 pairs of shoes I'd have much preferred to watching 10,000 shilling flowers wither and die. Just saying. I may be as hopelessly romantic as they get, but get real. Pluck some flowers & get me the damn shoes :)
I shudder to think of what next year's Valentine's will bring. Let's just say Emergency Rooms worldwide will have a rather busy night. (For those who fail to catch my drift, refer to the premiere of probably the kinkiest movie in the making. I'm thinking there will be a lot of experimentation. LOL)
Me? Seeing as I have no significant other to speak of as yet, I spent my day having my hair done and am currently at home spending some quality time with two unconditional loves of my life; Swiss chocolate & comedy. Yes, I'm that easy to please. So, hope you had someone put a smile on your face today.

Cheers!

The Good and the Blah

Thinking of focusing my blog on critiquing novels... Anyway, guess the Fifty Shades mania has been revived with the filming of the upcoming movie. Not my ideal cast, but I'll live. So i'm guessing since the world is done reading the damn thing and it had created such a buzz, aspiring authors have decided that the whole 'brooding, devastatingly handsome billionaire with a sordid past and kinky tendencies meets lowly shy girl who saves him from himself' scenario is what we're into now. Yeah...no. After the first fifty novels with the same bloody story, it kinda gets old. Why bother reading something whose ending I can predict, quite accurately might I add, 20 pages into it? No one likes a copy cat.
In other news, I thought the Gabriel's Inferno trilogy ended quite nicely, right? I mean, after the 7 month long wait (read the first two in May), my anticipation was appeased. I hope that was the first of many of Sylvain Reynard's works.
I love people who understand and enjoy sarcastic humor. I mean, it's only the best kind! If you're one of them, you will absolutely adore Chocolate Lovers series by Tara Sivec (prudes need not apply). Hilarious ridiculousness from start to finish. Don't like it? Unclench.
 I'd have loved to discuss other books, but for the sake of observing what is considered 'moral uprightness' (and the fact that you all know my name), I shall refrain. We shall revisit when my inner 'fuck it' finally kicks in.
In honor of the new year, lemme brush through my other favorite 2013 reads...

Inferno
The Chocolate Run

The Fault in Our Stars (you will weep)

Chicago Stars series

Love Me With Lies series

The Best Laid Plans

Windmills of the Gods

Wallbanger *don't judge*

Happy New Year!

Shoes I Like

When my friends heard that I have a blog, they immediately assumed that I blog about shoes. I don't blame them; what's not to love! I guess I picked up a few things from my sister, who owns a zillion pairs.
But, really, my blog would be on the blank side. Shoes may tickle the hell out of my fancy, but let's face it, not the most promising topic of discussion. Lemme give it a shot anyway.
Let's see... I admire heels from afar but I'd wobble and fall flat on my face, rather ungracefully might I add. Hey, at 5'5" I'm still taller than most people anyway. Gladiator sandals are my best friend. Wedges, if I'm in a daring mood. I doubt I'll ever sport stilettos in this lifetime. These feet were made to be planted firmly to the ground!
Unfortunately, being the impulsive buyer that I am & having an eye for pretty things, a lethal combination, I still buy shoes that require less than 10 feet of walking. Reality is, like a really hot boyfriend, great joy is derived from having shoes that other women would kill for. Even if they're murdering your feet one toe at a time. (I don't care what anyone says, women are mistresses of poker faces!) You call it vanity, I call it being a woman. It's the little things that make life better. Sometimes those little things come in sky-high heels.
What I've never understood is women who insist on torturing themselves with heels they can hardly walk in. Honey, even in the sexiest of heels, you'll still look like a fool if you're limping awkardly & sticking out your ass to find balance. Sooo not worth the blisters!
So, I'm not exactly a Fashion Guru, but I can say that I can tell my elbow from my ass in that area. Plus, there are two ways of making me smile no matter what the situation; feeding me chocolate, & getting me a new pair of shoes. And they say women are complicated...huh!

Fifty Shades

I can't believe I've taken this long to blog about the novel that has had me obsessing over it, and quite frankly entranced.
I know when most people hear you're reading Fifty Shades of Grey, they immediately think it's for the, uh, PG 21 content, because, let's be real here, it's smut.
Truthfully, I've never come across such a book, and I read. A lot. There's just something about it that makes it almost impossible to resist it or do much else until you read it all.
Okay, that and the fact that E L James' depiction of Christian Grey makes you wanna be an Ana. I mean, let's face it, for a novel character, he sounds yummy! Actually, that's probably the appeal of the book. He's painted as the dream man every woman didn't even know she wanted.
*In other news, I'm advocating for Matt Bomer as Christian Grey. Totally the role he was born for.*
So, call in sick, curl up in your favorite armchair, unplug your phone and get to reading, Prepare to lose touch with reality for a few days.
"Erotic, amusing & deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you & stay with you forever."
As the beautiful CEO deliciously puts it,

Laters baby ;)

Forgive & Forget

Forgiveness...readily received, hardly given, rarely sincere. We live in a world where we're each aware of our own imperfections yet we are unwilling to acknowledge the presence of each others'. If I wrong you,you must understand that I,as a human being,make mistakes therefore I am entitled to receive pardon for my shortcomings,while you,on the other hand,deserve no such right. Nasty mentality,isn't it!
Then comes the tricky part,the part II of the sequil; forgetting. I'm amazed at how people may claim to have granted forgiveness yet the misdeed will be brought up every chance they get. You may or may not realise it,but it is a way of saying "You wronged me,therefore you are forever indebted to me".
Grudges are a burden to the soul. You may think that it is a form of punishment to the person who wronged you, but you may be very surprised that, unlike you who is constantly replaying the "ordeal" in your head, the person may have forgotten all about the incident & is happily carrying on with their lives, oblivious to your misery. I got this from Buddha, apparently;

'Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.'

The season of Lent is a period of reconciliation. Believe me, there is no greater Easter present you could give to another than the words "I forgive you". There is nothing more liberating.

Be blessed.