JAPAN DAY IN KENYA

It is always exciting to get mail to attend a Culture themed event. And this time,it was from the Embassy of Japan in Kenya! Every time i see their header on my email i always know its going to be legendary... and so was Japan day! :)

After a few preparations to prep both Artitude and #GirlInLoveWithCulture,  I was set and ready to fire!!!

After a few emails on setting up our security details, we were ready for the day! All cameras set, ready to click away and eager to get a lesson on chopsticks!!! 

The moment my crew and i got to the grounds, we immediately recognized we were in Japanese territory.. The welcome was warm and inviting..

Great welcome by Deputy Ambassador to Japan Mikio Mori who also showed us how to use chopsticks! Thank you Sir! :)


The dignitaries came in, one by one.. All well represented from different countries.. The chief guest being no other than His Excellency former President to Kenya Mwai Kibaki. 

The much anticipated event begun with the beat of the drum, this time not from Africa but from Japan! Kenya, being well represented by a beautiful performance from Nairobi Chamber Chorus.  

The Ambassador of Japan to Kenya H.E  Mr. Tatsushi Terada, gave a great welcome to the guest and pointed out Japan's efforts to strengthen the ties between Kenya and Japan through great initiatives such as (TICAD)- Tokyo International Conference On African Development. He pointed out that the role culture plays is crucial and cannot fail to be emphasized! I couldn't help to "Aha!" He was talking my language!!!! :) 

 http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/africa/ticad/

I was on the look out for familiar faces for an opportunity to say hello in true bowing Japanese bowing style.. 

After his address, i must say i was dying to savor the taste and well, the delicacies from Japan... From the bowing thing, to the Kimono's to... ha! well, the Sushi..mmmh... But, i had to work first, of-course, and get my television interviews before i could do that... The red dot went on,  and my cameras were officially on record... 

The conversations on record were amazing, from dignitary after dignitary, i must say, Japanese people are very warm and inviting.

By the end of the day, i could help but leave the venue with this amazing feeling that Japan, was an incredible place to be!!!!!

Kutoka Kwa Wananchi Wa Japan!!! :)

Arigatou Gozaimasu........ Done with a bow... Of-Course!!!! :) Lots of love Japan... 

Yours,

 #GirlInLoveWithCulture

GIRL POWER- Heroine Exhibition By Tom Vandas

'I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.'
Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/543020/the-28-most-empowering-quotes-from-women-who-kickass.html#1l70WLma2eLRaqOj.99

"I Am Superwoman,
Yes i am... Yes you are
Even when im a mess,
I still rock up a vest,
With an S- on my chest..
Im superwoman.. Yes i am!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AphKUK8twg


"I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity." 

Those are famous words by Michelle Obama and lyrics of Superwoman, one of my best tracks by Alicia Keys... 

Words that were definitely echoed at the Heroine Photography Exhibition by Tom Vandas held at the British Institute on Thursday 1st October 2015. 

The evening started with the display of all these portraits of young women armed ready for combat... A very intriguing vibe, i thought to myself... Busy trying to know how all these portraits related to the theme HEROINE, i searched for the captions, eager to know how all these beautiful women were Heroines... But there were none... So i continued going through the portraits one after another looking for  some line of semblance...

As i continued, i bumped into a few art lovers here and there. After small talk, the only thing that lingered in my mind was the intrigue behind these portraits... I simply couldn't wait for the conversations!

After a short while, the conversations started.. We all got introduced to the beautiful ladies in the portraits one by one...

 "One of the primary reasons and inspirations for having this exhibit was to encourage young girls to have aspirations and for there to be more Heroines for young girls to look up to!" 

And there! It all made sense! The reasons and aspirations all stitched themselves together like a chain reaction!

What really made a woman to raise to be a female Clark Kent?... To be a HERO-INE? That was the question... Was it the guns? Was it the machetes?... (Both literal and symbolic) ? .... Or was it something that came from within...? Was it what Michelle Obama called quiet dignity?   

Whatever it was, it was a definite that we needed to have more conversations like these... because as a Chinese proverb puts it "Women hold half the Sky!!!" ;) Till next time!!! 

'I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.'
Read more at http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/suzannah-ramsdale/543020/the-28-most-empowering-quotes-from-women-who-kickass.html#FmkxkQTYLE23S3b1.9"I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity 

AFRICA IS NOT A PITY STORY- Snippets From Afrika Symposium And Gallery

"Africa Is Not A Pity Story!" These were the words of Kerry Oustram as i had my Television Interview with her during the Afrika Handmade Symposium and Gallery Exhibit at the Alliance Francaise... Words that indeed struck me as she continued to unfold her train of thought... In my mind her statement automatically resonated to what i learned from my BBC Training earlier... The topic being "Beware Of Single Stories" ...  It made me think that Africa as the "pitiful continent" was indeed a Single story... But that for another day!

Well, Kerry continued with the interview as she went on to explain how there is so much beauty in Africa.. And i just couldnt help but Aha! and Mmh! like an excited 4 yr old at the zoo, as she went on about how there is so much in Africa in-terms of the arts and its creative people... Of how absurd it would be to call Africa- Handmade items "cheap", something to be done just for charity... Before i knew it, we had been talking on camera for a good 15 minutes for a show segment that is 5 minutes!!! The director had to remind me "Evie- wrap it up!" .... And so i did... A little grudgingly... of course..

As i continued to feast my eyes on the other incredible things that were at the Afika Handmade Symposium and Gallery, i indeed couldn't help but think how fantastic, the creativity, the culture the beauty that is AFRICA!!!!! 

Africa's Beauty 

LIFE LESSONS ON BBC TRAINING

So im sitting in an empty room thinking about my life...well about my past three days. Three days of intense learning on a BBC Media Action... and i must say this has been a training well, not just about camera lenses and looking pretty on screen, of which was also taught, but the spirit of things... the deeper business of what it takes to be a winner.

I must say, one thing i took home was why most players on a TV screen are regarded as role models.. Because this is exactly what you got to be. And it does not come from pretty shoes or just a pretty face but it must come from within. I have learnt, like an animal in the jungle ready to get its prey, you must stay aleart, you must stay prepared you must stay on top of your game! I have learnt that no matter how many distractions come your way, you must stay focused, stay on that course and most importantly you must keep smiling!!!! :) 

HOUSES, EXHIBITIONS AND FIRST TIME EXPIRIENCES

Nairobi is endowed with a thriving contemporary arts scene. This was clearly evidenced by the recently held, first in Nairobi, House Exhibition in Runda! It was so exciting as i got my invite, as i had never been to a house exhibition before.. Well, apart from my friends houses with beautiful pieces of art, that was the only thing i had come close to a house exhibition... Hence as you can imagine, I had so many questions in my mind.. Foremost, How did it work?.. Well three houses in a row built by the same architect - Nightingale- (Hence the name of the exhibit) exhibited works of art by well known artist such as Miriam Syowia Kiambi, Jacki Karuti and Maral Bolouri.
  It was indeed an experience as i interviewed the guest for Artitude.. As the evening came to a close all i could think of was getting down these thoughts to my computer... Thanks for sharing with me this experience.. Till the next blog, stay outta trouble... I love you!!!! xoxo

Relaxed at the Three Nightingales Art Walk... A night filled with great conversations, beautiful people and great wine.. :) #BeautifulSights #BeautifulPeople #ILoveMyJob

FASHION PASSION- Meeting Sylvia Njoki

Sylvia Njoki has always been a style icon. We've seen her work in shows such Tusker Project Fame, Elani's #ShareTheLove Concert, (which FYI was my favouritest concert ever!!!) and many others. And true enough, her recognition continues to grow as she recently won BEST FASHION BLOG and KENYAN BLOG OF THE YEAR 2015!

Initially very soft spoken, we get engaged in conversation about her love for fashion and her experiences in channeling her passion.. Her naturing spirit is quite evident as she mentions that first she is a mother and then the rest follows.

She mentions her experiences in Millan and Paris and how these kept channeling her vision to fashion.. I got to know that she is also a very good cook, but why did she decide on fashion?... A little pose, a laugh and says... "Passion and talent are not the same thing Evie, Passion overrides talent and if you got both you've got a killer combination!".. And it was indeed for me a wrap! Great meeting you Sylvia!

Get her on Style By Sylvia

http://silvianjoki.com/day-eighteen-0f-10-pieces-30-ways/

Letters To My 22 Year Old Self

We live in such a jaded world, stuck in this rat race, thinking how much we always have to be at the top of our game, how much we need to hold in, how much we got to be strong, that sometimes we forget the essence of our existence...So when you find something real, something that's been untouched by the emptiness that surrounds it, enjoy it, let it fill your soul, let it remind you of all things beautiful... of reasons you too are beautiful, of why you were meant to live for so much more... ‪#‎The20Percent‬ ‪#‎SneakPeaksFromMyDiary‬

NATURALLY FASHIONABLE

The possibilities of styling are limitless when it comes to natural hair. Whether your curls are loose and wavy or tight and coiled, experimenting with different looks is a huge part of embracing your natural hair texture.
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Think a "big chop" is your only option for starting fresh? Well, you're wrong. Below are some of the most beautiful natural hair haircuts -- from low fades to long layers -- that'll inspire your next 'do.