I came, I saw, I conquered America ( I wish)

First things first - writing on events that are seven months old is not easy. Besides, my memory doesn't serve me so well anymore:-) I have decided that instead of a blow by blow or is it by city update I will post photos taken in all the four cities I visited.

Washington DC




Dr Martin Luther King Memorial in DC

The famous Washington Monument


 




Outside Capitol Hill



At the Lincoln Memorial in DC

On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and my back drop is the Washington Monument

Lunch time with Dr Wan Wang from Hong Kong - forgot the name of this restaurant but it has a deep black political history. In fact the owner was said to be running for DC Mayor at that time.

1st official day of the program at FHI 360 Headquarters.

Ooh let it snow let it snow let it snow in DC



Working the corridors of the House of Representatives, here to meet Congresswoman Karen Bass




LOS ANGELES



Day after the Oscars

I tried, never said I was a good photographer

West Hollywood Council in session

8 March - International Women's Day - honouring excellent women

 1 of my faves. For real I think Bruce Willis is SEXY


This was the end of LA,  we then went to Cleveland OHIO and Atlanta Georgia

 

 

 





 



Neglect is an understatement

To say that I have neglected this blog is an understatement of the century. I have been busy, yes busy is the excuse. I last blogged in February 2014 just before my trip to the US. I was so sure that I was going to update this blog regularly while I was there and maybe come back and write all about it in one longer post. Alas! that didn't happen.

Nevertheless, I am back, I will be writing often. There is so much to share and record;
1. The trip to USA
2. My new job - yes yes and yes I got a new job! well it is not so new anymore.
3. My parent's traditional wedding
4. Guess who is the new International Service Director?
5. A new venture that I am working on with my sisters - too excited.
6. My journey to SEXYBACK and a whole new me.
7. Challenges that never go away -:)

I hope I didn't leave anything out but that is what's coming soon.

Umbono: No Statue of Liberty but Hollywood Walk of Fame

Umbono: No Statue of Liberty but Hollywood Walk of Fame: The IVLP trip to USA, 3 weeks, four cities... I was nominated and selected to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program ...

No Statue of Liberty but Hollywood Walk of Fame

The IVLP trip to USA, 3 weeks, four cities...

I was nominated and selected to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) by the US Embassy in South Africa. 2 days before my trip to USA, I am excited and scared at the same time. I am scared because this is a new kind of responsibility, 'kind of raises the bar' as Phil Cummings said. I wonder if it means I must just be an adult who is not young at heart, but serious at heart :-)  I look at the list of the participants I will be with in this program and I feel really inexperienced but have to up my game and represent my country well. Truth is, this is a heavy responsibility, I do welcome it though. I am prepared to do the best that I can and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.

My program will not take me to New York and so no Statue of Liberty but I will be going to Los Angeles and maybe just maybe I may see my African feet on the Hollywood Walk of Fame or Rodeo Drive. Rodeo Drive just to see ridiculously expensive pieces of clothing, for the what I also don't know.

Now I believe I am going to AMMURRICCA! Last year I knew I was going but I didn't want to jinx it and maybe hear that the program is cancelled. I have a ticket, accommodation, damn a visa and so I am going to AMERICA!!

2013 was not a great year

Good day and Compliments of the New Year!

2013... well I have to rant about this not so great year. It was just an unfair year (yes life should be fair to me, I mean why not?). In 2013 I lost my aunt, a break in at our house that left us really scared - dreaded going to bed. One cannot describe the effect this incident had on my  family as it threatened my father's job and the 30 years of service he has dedicated to the South African Police Service. Perpetrators were caught in a short space of time but nothing could have prepared us when we find out that we were betrayed by a relative.

 At work, I had  a difficult time towards year end. I did or in this case I didn't do something I was expected to do. I know that this may be difficult to believe but the truth is, I forgot to organise a visa for my boss and yes it was a big deal that saw me receiving a letter from HR. Well I was stressed for days because of the letter but more because I didn't understand how I forgot to organize that visa. I do this everyday, I know which countries require SA citizens to apply for a visa and vice versa. This incident sent me to shock mode and I think I know why it happened,  I had to reflect and look for answers because I refused to believe it was just one of those things.

In 2013,  two other people I know were brutally killed. A lady relative of my aunt was shot 10 times. A guy I went to my Matric Dance with was murdered. He was shot, stabbed and left to die in a veld nearby his home. He was a wonderful person, he was kind, he was friendly and I liked that he treated people as equals considering that he came from a well off family. Another young person gone too soon. Rest in Peace Phendula Nzimande.

Now 2014... think I heard people calling it the year of the horse, whatever that means, all I know is that I am going to do better this year. I will not say cliché things like " it is my year" but as an individual I will do better than I did in 2013. Work wise I am busy but still clouded by last year's events. It is true that what you do right is easily forgotten but what you do wrong will always be remembered not just by people but by yourself too. It stays with you, it haunts you, like you will make another wrong. Rough experience hey.