Not yet, yet!

Goofing around with my friends; Silviu, Mirriam, Beni si Andrea in Brasov.

When I was a boy I dreamt of many things, among those were having a big house, a nice car, a wife and kids, we all have such dreams I believe.

I worked hard and smart as my grandma always told me that “there is knowledge gained from books and there is knowledge you are born with…” and she insisted that i should blend both to my success. Indeed what she meant was that there is knowledge and there is wisdom, and that you need both to survive in this world. Grandma, i owe you for that, continue resting easy.

Fast forward, I came to Romania, for work, almost 4 years ago. This was a tough decision to make, had both it’s pros and cons. However when i placed the same on the scale, the pros took preeminence. I went for it. Now, i don’t regret the decision i took 5 years ago!

There have been lots of learnings, and runnings too. This exposure has modeled my view of the world, widened my scope of thinking and has expanded my bag of risk taking.

This boy who turned to be a man still with the boys dreams at heart, went for what he thought would be a dream come true.

I met a lady, a fine “ghel” as they say, a beautiful woman who i did cherish and I even figured out a future with.

Indeed love is blind, I didn’t see it coming though. I guess my blinders were so tight locked. Well as they say, when your head is over the heels, nothing can stop what you wish or believe. I was in for love, for family.

But, it was not yet, yet.

God had other plans for us.

2020 was a year of joy for some, but also a year of pain to many others. The self quarantine, heart break, solitude, confusion took toll of me. I am glad not to have fallen into depression. I saw how small my circle was, yet I had thousands of virtual friends hahaing at my posts.

It was a moment of reflection, a moment of self examination.

I am glad that as i write this, what happened to me is over now. I am busy rebuilding that boy to a man that God wants. A priest to that house to be. One day at a time.

A beautiful story is still being written.

Much love,

Laban.

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Celebrating Easter away from home!

“Histos a in viat!” (Christ is Risen!)

“Adevarat a inviat!” (Indeed He is resurrected!)

These were the greetings on the Easter Sunday which we recently had. (28th April 2019). As you may note, it was a week later than the other Christians Easter celebrations! It is based on the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar!
The Romanians say “Paste Fericit!” meaning Happy Easter!
Here, there are a lot of traditions during the Easter period, in comparison to Kenya, my motherland.

I was struck on the way the celebrations are held dearly. On the eve of Easter all faithfuls gather in their churches and light candles which they later bring to their homes and share with the family members. The eggs are painted red or any other decorations(Have you ever asked why Easter is associated with painted eggs on images you see online?) and they prepare lamb meat (which i missed ) and some cake known as “cozonac”.

Painted eggs for Easter- (image credit- Internet)

This last Sunday my thoughts told me that business would be booming (biashara ni biashara) as people would sell the painted eggs, the cakes, the candles, the lamb meat and all that goes with Easter. I was wrong. All the shops, supermarkets, hypermarkets, restaurants were CLOSED DOWN as employees had a day off to celebrate Easter!

“Inchis” means closed!

I slept hungry! 😦

“This is not Kenya my fren, no business on Easter Sunday!…”

The next day, on an early morning i met my neighbor as i was coming from Mega Image, a supermarket, done shopping for breakfast. I shared with him my ordeal and he was like… welcome to Romania!
Afterwards, i had a bell ring on my door, my neighbor brought me some “sarmale” (a Romanian dish, my favorite!), some red painted eggs and the cake, cozonac!

Sarmale, my mouth is watery now :))

I am glad Easter came through for me finally!

“Paste Fercit!”

-Laban Ndwaru wa Njoroge.