Editor’s Notes Feature Story: VANESSA MDEEChew on this Fashion SenseHealth Talk Book ReviewG-Spot October FoodBlogddit No EvilTech Buzz Betrayal by ThreeAdverts Subscription

Editor’s Notes Feature Story: VANESSA MDEEChew on this Fashion SenseHealth Talk Book ReviewG-Spot October FoodBlogddit No EvilTech Buzz Betrayal by ThreeAdverts Subscription

Editor : Wangechi Ruguaru Editor : Linda Obel Editor : Eva Githina

Contributor : Gerald Montgomery Contributor : Wambui WamutongoriaContributor : Kabura Wahome

Designer- Sam GathenjiContributor : Kenny Githina

Whenever I write this note. I am usually trying to impart a life lesson, a message that can help you with whatever it is you are dealing with in your life. Every feature story here, every article, is geared towards giving you inspiration or giving you the very best advice on all the areas of your life.

Sure we want to entertain you, but more than that, we want to leave you feeling renewed about others like you and most importantly we want to make sure that you feel renewed about yourself.

The stories we publish in this magazine are meant to enable you to believe in yourself even more. A lot of us are very good at believing in others all the while we neglect ourselves. A lot of us doubt our own strengths and talents and lack belief in our abilities to overcome the challenges that life throws our way.

Today I want to encourage you to be your own best cheerleader. I want you to root for your own success. I want you to believe in your ability to achieve the dreams you have about life. If you believe it then it will be so. Don’t believe me? Then see the two quotes below from those that know better than I....

“A person who doubts himself is like a man who would enlist in the ranks of his enemies and bear arms against himself. He makes his failure certain by himself being the first person to be convinced of it.” ~Alexandre Dumas~

“It’s not who you are that holds you back, it’s who you think you’re not.”~Anonymous~

...Now go out there and live your best life.

Peace and Bangles, Eva Githina

Vanessa Hau Mdee has accomplished a great deal for someone very young. Born 24 years ago in Tanzania, she had the opportunity to see some of the world growing up in New York, Paris, Arusha and Nairobi.

Through exposure and interest, Vanessa became familiar with many forms of creative and performing arts and I am surprised that even with that experience she ended up enrolling to Catholic University of Eastern Africa to pursue Law.

It seems that even though Vanessa enrolled to study Law, she was actively pursuing experience in the performing arts because it was while she was there that she won the VJ search competition and became the first ever MTV VJ from Tanzania.As VJ for MTV she was able to work in collaboration with others to host the Coca Cola Chart Express. Vanessa admits to feeling ‘timid and insecure’, yet she was able to put those feelings aside to present energetically for her audience.

Since becoming a VJ Vanessa has traveled widely throughout Africa and the rest of the world and has successfully established herself through hard work. Leaving home has offered numerous challenges for Vanessa and she has worked diligently to overcome and strive in the music industry.Despite the challenge of moving from Arusha where she lived with family to Dar es Salaam, Vanessa’s career as a VJ has also allowed her to support causes that are close to her heart and meet amazing, like-minded celebrities.

Vanessa worked with Kelly Rowland the Special Ambassador to The Staying Alive Foundation in 2008, formed STANDWIDTH which MK Asante under the UNAIDS umbrella and allowed her to run shoulders with the likes of Russell Simmons, Honorable Olusegun Obasanjo, Emmanuel Adebayor and Akon as a host on her current show MTV Base Meets. Vanessa blogs as a roving reporter on behalf of MTV Staying Alive and UNAIDS on her Dynamites Mission website as part of her belief in a HIV free world. She was MTV’s voice at the 2011 UNAIDS Mali Youth Summit in Bamako and thereafter the High Level meeting in Capetown, South Africa, The International Conference on HIV and STI’s in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

In addition to being a VJ for MTV, Vanessa has a radio show on Tanzanian airwaves, as host of 102.6 Choice FM’s The Hitlist a brand that Vanessa has made her own. Vanessa’s highlights eclectic RnB and Hip Hop with a hint of Pop.

As if that is not hectic enough, Vanessa is offered numerous hosting gigs at events such as the red carpet for MTV AFRICA

MUSIC AWARDS, KILI MUSIC AWARDS and is set to co-host Tanzania’s Epiq Bongo Star Search to name but a few.We caught up with Vanessa to get her take on a few things and this is what she had to say...

AIM: What is your full name and where are you from?

VM: Vanessa Khausa ( Hau ) Mdee and I am from the United Republic of Tanzania

AIM: How did you become a VJ?

VM: I won a nationwide VJ search in 2007

AIM: Do you host a specific show? Please tell us about it.

VM: Currently hosting MTV Base meets which is a show that focuses on giving young Africans on the continent and otherwise ( I hate the word diaspora ) the opportunity to sit down with influential leaders from various industries - politics, music, business, fashion.

AIM: What does a typical day at work look like for you?

VM: While on production its all Hair, Make Up, Scripts and research at the same time with some really loud music playing in the background - depending on the mood. If I am not jumping on a plane to get to our next location.

or

Production for my radio show to broadcast live from 102.6 ChoiceFM in Dar es Salaam from 7 to 10 p.m.

AIM: What advice would you give to those considering a career as a VJ?

VM: Be Informed, Stay interested and most importantly be yourself.

AIM: What is special about what you do for a living and the opportunities it hasprovided?

VM: I feel like you have to make the most of every opportunity you’ve been granted and create channels that allow growth. What may be different in this profession is that I deliver in front of millions therefore as much as there is a lot of scrutiny and

critique I’ve been blessed to have met the right people. People who have seen or heard my work and have expanded my network in various ways. So every profession can be special if utilized in the right way.

AIM: What is unique to the local Tanzanian music scene and where is it headed?

VM: What’s unique to the Tanzanian music scene is the obvious swahili influence. From the language to the instrumentation to the relevant cultural references whether current or old school - I love how the combination of all these little factors are shaping a style, sound sounique and particular to this region of the world. It’s also such feel good music. It’s evolving.

AIM: What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years?

VM: I hope for growth, INTERNATIONAL, INTER- CONTINENTAL type growth. I hope for security in all aspects of the word. I hope that when I say Tanzania I don’t get ‘ where’s that?’ in response - off the top of my head.

AIM: How do you balance your career with your family and social obligations?

VM: My family and friends are my sanity; my reality check - so constant communication with them is second nature. Work is fun, I enjoy it, it brings me fulfillment so it’s more like doing what I want to do as opposed to what I have to do.

AIM: What causes or issues are you passionate about?

VM: I’ve been involved in a few awareness campaigns for HIV/AIDS, Women and Children and Malaria. Visit my awareness blog www.dynamitesmission.com

AIM: What 5 African songs are getting heavy rotation on your playlist?

VM: Can’t get mad at you - A.V.I.D Alingo - PSquare ( Nigeria ) Baadae - Ommy Dimpoz ( Tanzania ) Tswa Dar - Khuli Chana ( South Africa ) Jealousy - AKA ( South Africa ) Africa Massive - Fenamenal ( Kenya )

AIM: You have a very unique sense of style, what inspires your fashion choices,and which african designers do you favor?

VM: I just wear what feels comfortable but also I try to incorporate African print in most of my outfits. I pick my favourite trends from various eras and sport them.

There you have it. Vanessa does everything with elegance and she makes it so easy. What an inspiration!

Keep up with Vanessa by:

www.twitter.com/vanessamdeewww.facebook.com/vanessakhausamdeevanessamdee - instagramvanesaamdee - via.me

Moringa Oleifera is a tree that grows in most countries in Africa and some parts of India. It is defined by its drumstick shaped pods and is valued for its numerous nutrients. It has also been used to combat malnutrition in areas of famine and drought

Every part of the Moringa has nutritional value and can be eaten in various ways. The pods can be eaten raw, steamed or stir-fried like green beans and also produce an edible oil that is odorless and sweet.

Moringa leaves are rich in potassium and calcium and are perfect for salads and curries while the flowers which must be cooked can be used as scrubbers for cleaning walls, dishes and are perfect for feeding animals.

Moringa leaves are usually dried and ground into a powder and sold as a Tea in most places.

Moringa Oleifera Offers the following benefits:

• Increased physical energy.• Combats the symptoms of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.• Improved digestion• For lactating mother’s it enables them to produce better milk for their infants.• Improves the body’s recovery after workouts• Enhances overall well-being especially mental and emotional

Scientific research confirms Moringa leaves contain:

SEVEN times the vitamin C in orangesFOUR times the Calcium in milkFOUR times the vitamin A in carrotsTWO times the protein in milk and THREE times the Potassium in bananas

These are numbers I can live with so do yourself a worldof good and make Moringa part of your diet ASAP!

Moringa- The answer to a healthier you.

• TheseShoesweremadeforwalking:Evenorflatheal,lotsoftraction,amplepadding

• FactoringWindandotherweatherconditions

• Pants,Capris,Layers

• PrettySmallUmbrellas:Smallenoughforyourpurse,largeenoughforyourdo

• Deodorantandmake-up:neutralwiththemakeupheavywiththedeodorant.

Have you exercised your calves lately? No? Most people neglect the calves in favor of the larger muscles and this isbecausetheyeitherdonotknowhowtostrengthenthispartofthelegortheyhavethismisconceptionthatiftheydo,itwillbecomeoverlylarge.

Thecalfmuscleismadeupoftwomainmusclegroups:thegastrocnemius(themorevisiblemuscleonthebackoftheleg)andthesoleus(themusclethatisunderneaththegastrocnemius).

Thecalfmuscleisimportantbecauseitsupportstheachillestendonandhelpswithposture,mobilityandstability.

Herearetwovariationsofcalfliftsforyoutotry.

Option1:SeatedCalfLifts

• Sitonabenchorchairthatallowsyoutoplaceyourfeetflatonthefloorat90degrees• Ifyouwanttouseweights,placethemonthetopofyourthighs• Raisetheheelsofyourfeetofftheflooruntilonlytheballsofyourfeetandtoesareleftonthefloor.• Holdinthispositionfor15secondsandslowlylowertheheelsofyourfeetbacktothefloor.• RinseandRepeat.• Startwith3setsof12andadjustdependingonyourfitnesslevel.

Option2:StandingCalfLifts

• Standuprightbehindachairandplaceyourhandslightlyonitsbackforstability.• Raisetheheelsofyourfeetofftheflooruntilonlytheballsofyourfeetandtoesareleftonthefloor.• Holdinthispositionfor15secondsandslowlylowertheheelsofyourfeetbacktothefloor.• RinseandRepeat.• Startwith3setsof12andadjustdependingonyourfitnesslevel.

GoaheadandtrytheseandIamsureyouwillnoticeanewspringinyourstep!

RaiseYourCalves!

G r e e n C a r d s t o r i e s i s a c o l l e c t i o n o f s t o r i e st o l d b y I m m i g r a n t s w h o h a v e g o n e t h r o u g ht h e I m m i g r a t i o n p r o c e s s t o a t t a i n t h e i r G r e e nC a r d s . Fo r e a c h s t o r y t h e r e i s a p i c t u r e o ft h e p e r s o n w h o s e s t o r y i s f e a t u r e d a n d t h e nt h e i r s t o r y p r o v i d i n g d e t a i l s o n w h e r e t h e yc a m e f r o m t o w h e r e t h e y a r e n o w.E a c h n a r r a t o r e x p l a i n s w h y t h e y l e f t t h e i rc o u n t r y o f b i r t h t o m i g r a t e t o t h e U n i t e dS t a t e s o f A m e r i c a . T h e y t o u c h o n w h a t t h e ye x p e r i e n c e d o n c e t h e y g o t h e r e , h o w t h ei m m i g r a t i o n p r o c e s s w a s f o r t h e m a n d w h a ti t m e a n s t o t h e m t o b e i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . S o m e h a v e s h a r e d h o w e v e n a f t e r g e t t i n gt h e i r G r e e n C a r d s a n d g o i n g b a c k t o t h e i rh o m e c o u n t r i e s t h e y f o r d i f f e r e n t r e a s o n se n d e d u p c o m i n g b a c k t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e sb e c a u s e t h e y e i t h e r m i s s e d b e i n g i t o r c o u l dn o t f i n d s i m i l a r o p p o r t u n i t i e s b a c k h o m e .T h e p e o p l e f e a t u r e d i n t h i s b o o k a r e f r o ma l l o v e r t h e w o r l d . G r e e n C a r d s t o r i e s i sn o t s p e c i f i c t o o n e c o u n t r y o r s k i n c o l o ra n d t h e n a r r a t o r s a l s o r a n g e i n a g e ; t h e r ea r e t h o s e w h o m i g r a t e d i n t h e i r o l d a g e a n dt h e r e a r e t h o s e w h o m i g r a t e d w h e n t h e y w e r ey o u n g . S o m e h a d n o s a y w h a t s o e v e r i n t h em i g r a t i o n . Fo r s o m e , t h e i r h a n d s w e r e t i e dw h i l e o t h e r s k n e w f r o m t h e w o r d g o t h a t o n l yb y c o m i n g t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s w o u l d t h e y b ea b l e t o b r e a t h e .G r e e n C a r d s t o r i e s s h o w s h o w e a c h o ft h e s e i n d i v i d u a l s h a v e b e e n t r a n s f o r m e d ,s o m e h a v e s h a r e d t h e t r i b u l a t i o n s , j o y s a n db r e a k t h r o u g h s . T h e t a l e s a r e s k i l l f u l l y t o l di n g r e a t d e t a i l .G r e e n C a r d S t o r i e s i s a g l a n c e i n t o a ni s s u e t h a t i s i n t h e h e a d l i n e s e v e r y o t h e rd a y i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s . I t s t a r t e d o f f a s‘ r e m a r k a b l e , i n s p i r a t i o n a l s t o r i e s t h a t c a l l e do u t t o b e t o l d ’ t o ‘ a d d i n g c o n t e x t t o t h eg r o w i n g n a t i o n a l d e b a t e a b o u t i m m i g r a t i o na n d s e r v e s t o r e m i n d u s t h a t w e a r ep r e d o m i n a n t l y a n a t i o n o f i m m i g r a n t s ’ .T h e I n t r o d u c t i o n t o t h e b o o k i s w r i t t e n b yL a u r a D a n i e l s o n a n d S t e v e Ya l e - L o e h r. I ni t t h e y h a v e b r o k e n d o w n w h a t G r e e n C a r dS t o r i e s i s , h o w l o n g i s h a s b e e n a r o u n d -s i n c e 1 9 4 0 a n d t h e y h a v e a l s o g o n e i n t od e t a i l o n h o w a G r e e n C a r d i s o b t a i n e d .

T h e p r o c e s s i s a l o n g j o u r n e y o f b o t hb u r e a u c r a t i c o b s t a c l e s a n d p e r s o n a lt r a n s f o r m a t i o n . T h e y h a v e d o n e t h e i r b e s t t o s t a ya s n e u t r a l a s p o s s i b l e , s o a s n o t a p p e a r b i a s e do n I m m i g r a t i o n . T h e r e i s e n o u g h n e g a t i v e a n df e a r s t r i k i n g i n f o r m a t i o n o n I m m i g r a t i o n r e a d i l ya v a i l a b l e s o t o s e e a b o o k t h a t i s j u s t s t a t i n gf a c t s a n d t e l l i n g t r u e a n d p e r s o n a l s t o r i e s a b o u ts u c h a s e n s i t i v e i s s u e i s a m a j o r p l u s .

T h e p u r p o s e o f G r e e n C a r d S t o r i e s i s t o ‘c a p t u r e t h e t r u e d i v e r s i t y a n d i m p a c t o f t o d a y ’si m m i g r a n t A m e r i c a , s h o w i n g w h a t a r i c h l yn u a n c e d s o c i e t y [ t h e U S h a s ] b e c o m e t h r o u g hi m m i g r a t i o n ’ a n d t h i s i s s o t r u e . I t i s s o e a s y t o h e a r w h a t i s s a i d o n t h et e l e v i s i o n o r r a d i o a n d f o r m a c o n c l u s i o na b o u t t h e i s s u e . T h i s b o o k p e r s o n a l i z e s t h ei s s u e f o r t h e r e a d e r a n d i f o n e i s v e r y h o n e s tw i t h t h e m s e lv e s t h e y s e e t h e m s e lv e s i n t h ei m m i g r a n t .I t c o u l d b e y o u , y o u m i g h t b e t h e f i r s t g e n e r a t i o ng o i n g t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s s o t h a t y o u r c h i l d r e n ,a n d y o u r c h i l d r e n ‘s c h i l d r e n h a v e i t b e t t e r t h a ny o u d i d . I t c o u l d e a s i l y b e y o u .

H e r e i s a p r e v i e w o f s o m e p r o f i l e s f r o m G r e e nC a r d S t o r i e s :

A f t e r c o m i n g t o t h e H o u s t o n a s a L o s t B o y f r o mS u d a n , P e t e r A j a k g o t a j o b a s a s e c u r i t y g u a r d . T h e r e w a s a m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g d u e t o a f i r e a r mp o s s e s s i o n a n d h e w a s d e t a i n e d a n d p u t i n t or e m o v a l p r o c e e d i n g s . H e f i n a l l y g o t l e g a l h e l pa n d g o t c a n c e l l a t i o n o f d e p o r t a t i o n . H e n o ww o r k s f o r h i s i m m i g r a t i o n l a w y e r.S a m E b u t e w a s b r o u g h t t o W i s c o n s i n a s a b o yw i t h r e l a t i v e s f r o m N i g e r i a . H e w a s a b a n d o n e di n t h e U . S . a n d r a i s e d b y a n A m e r i c a n f a m i l y i na s m a l l t o w n . T h e y d i d n ’ t r e a l i z e h e w a s n ’ t l e g a la n d S a m e n d e d u p i n d e p o r t a t i o n p r o c e e d i n g s a n dg o t c a n c e l l a t i o n o f r e m o v a l . H e n o w w o r k s w i t ho r p h a n e d a n d a t - r i s k y o u t h i n M i n n e a p o l i s .M o g t a b a M a k i w a s a n a s p i r i n g d e n t a l s t u d e n t a ta u n i v e r s i t y i n n o r t h e r n S u d a n u n t i l h e s a w h i sn a m e o n a l i s t t o r e p o r t f o r m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e . Fo rM o g t a b a a n d h i s p e e r s , t h e a s s i g n m e n t w a s ad e a t h s e n t e n c e i n t h e o n g o i n g c i v i l w a r a g a i n s tt h e s o u t h t h a t h a d k i l l e d a n d d i s p l a c e d m i l l i o n s

o f p e o p l e . T h a t n i g h t , a f t e r h i s m o t h e r a n ds i b l i n g s w r a p p e d t h e i r a r m s a r o u n d h i mi n a t e a r f u l g o o d b y e , h e f l e d n o r t h o n at r a i n f o r E g y p t w i t h t h r e e s h i r t s a n d a p a i ro f s h o e s . M o r e t h a n a d e c a d e l a t e r , a f t e rb e i n g r e s e t t l e d a s a r e f u g e e i n F l o r i d a a n db e c o m i n g a n A m e r i c a n c i t i z e n , h e w o u l db e r e u n i t e d w i t h p a r t o f h i s f a m i l y w h i l ep u r s u i n g h i s d e n t a l d e g r e e a n d e n d u r i n ga g r u e l i n g b u r e a u c r a t i c d e l a y t o s e e h i sm o t h e r.J o s e p h M i n t a h i s t h e c h i e f o f 9 0 v i l l a g e si n G h a n a , e v e n t h o u g h h e l i v e s i n t h e We s tN y a c k , N Y. H e f l i e s b a c k t o h i s v i l l a g e 6 - 1 2t i m e s a y e a r. H e i s n o w a U . S . c i t i z e n . H en o w f e e l s h e i s a c i t i z e n o f t h e w o r l d . H ei s a l s o a d o c t o r a n d o r i g i n a l l y c a m e t o t h eU . S . t o s t u d y m e d i c i n e .Fo r y e a r s C h a r l e s N y a g a d r e a m e d o fm o v i n g t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s f r o m K e n y af o r g r a d u a t e s c h o o l . H i s d r e a m s s e e m e dt o c o m e t r u e w h e n h e w o n t h e d i v e r s i t yl o t t e r y a n d a p p e a r e d c l o s e t o g e t t i n g ag r e e n c a r d w h i l e p u r s u i n g a d i v i n i t y d e g r e en e a r A t l a n t a . B u t a f t e r i m m i g r a t i o n o f f i c i a l sf a i l e d t o p r o c e s s h i s a p p l i c a t i o n i n t i m e ,h i s f a i t h w o u l d b e p u t t o t h e t e s t d u r i n g ad e c a d e - l o n g c o u r t b a t t l e t h a t n e a r l y e n d e di n d e t e n t i o n a n d d e p o r t a t i o n .S a a h Q u i g e e e s c a p e d L i b e r i a w i t h b o d i l y a n de m o t i o n a l s c a r s f r o m t o r t u r e a n d b e a t i n g sa t t h e h a n d s o f r e b e l a n d g o v e r n m e n t f o r c e sd u r i n g h i s n a t i v e c o u n t r y ’s c i v i l w a r. O n as t u d e n t v i s a , h e m o v e d t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e sa n d o b t a i n e d a m a s t e r ’s d e g r e e a t C o r n e l lU n i v e r s i t y. H e a n d h i s f a m i l y n o w l i v e i nN e w Yo r k , w h e r e S a a h , a U . S . c i t i z e n , i sa s u p e r v i s o r a t C o r n e l l ’s A f r i c a n s t u d i e sl i b r a r y.

G o g e t y o u r c o p y o f G r e e n C a r d S t o r i e s a tA m a z o n

Is the Soul Mate Hypothesis Counterproductive?

DearG-SpotReaders,

Ibegyourmostsincerepardon,butinordertoproperlystatemycaseIwillneedtodosomethingIpromisedmyselfIwouldavoidatallcost;talkreligion.It’snearimpossibletodiscussthesoulmatetopicwithoutmentioningGod,justasitisalsofutileavoidingAdamandEve(theprecedentforthesoulmateargument).ThisisatopicI’vewantedtosharemythoughtsonforquitesometime.So,asalways,bearwithme.

Admittedly,nothingismoreromanticorendearingthantheideaoftheidealmate;apersonGodcraftedespeciallyforyou,fromthesamepseudo-cosmic-organicessencehemadeyou.Except,thatis,findingandmarryingthisotherhalfofyoursoul;yourproverbialrib.Ibelievethesoulmateideology(i.e.matchmadeinHeaven)isproblematic,primarily,initsapplication.

Therealityis“we”[ourselves]aretheone’swhoidentifyoursoulmates,startingasearlyasourmid-teens–convincedwe’vejustmethimorher.Noburningbushormysterioushandwritingonthewall;just“abelief”wehave.Ineveryscenariowearealways“asperfectforthemastheyareforus,”nomatterwhenwemeetthem.This,inmyopinion,iscounterproductivebecausewearemorepronetostayinadoomedrelationshipto“saveface”tovalidatethisdeclarationorwe“holdout”onourcurrentoverly-scrutinizedrelationshipstillinsearchof“theone.”

Let’sreviewthepremiseofasoulmate.AsIunderstandthetheory:sincetheCreator,accordingtotheHolyBible,tookaribfromthemaletofashionthefemale,therefore,thepresumptionis,

thisprocessisrepeated,inspirit,foreveryhumanbeing.Okay,let’sbreakthisdown.First,noticeIsaid“…fromthemaletofashionthefemale…”asopposedto“fromthemantomakeawoman”or“fromAdamtocreateEve.”Thereasonforthisis,Manwascreatedmaleandfemale,asinthem,notjustamaleasinhim.ManinGenesisisessentiallythesameasMankind.

GodcalledtheirnameAdam,nothisnameAdam.ToGod,accordingtoscriptures,Adamwasthecouple,notjustthemale.WhenGodcalledforAdamHeexpectedtoseebothofthem.Manwasboththemaleandthefemale,notjustthemale.ItwasAdamwhocalledher“woman,”thenlaternamedthewoman“Eve.”GodcalledthefemaleneitherwomannorEve,themaleAdamdid.

AsIunderstandit,GodcreatedavegetatedEarth,theanimalsandthenMan(asinMankind).FirstHecreatedthemalefromdustthenthefemalefromhisrib,bothonthesixthdayofcreation.(Togainthisunderstandingyoumustreadthroughtochapter5.)Sotheprecedentforcreatingthemaleandfemaleofaspecieswastheanimals;Godcreatedthefemalephysicallyindependentofthemale.SosinceHehadalreadysetaprecedentofcreatingthemaleandfemaleofaspecies,astwoseparatebutcomplimentarycreatures,whywouldthefemaleManneedtocomefromtheribofthemaleMan?Ibelievethiswasdonetooutlinethesignificanceofmarriage;thephysicalonenessofthefirstcouplecreatedwas,foralltime,tosymbolizethespiritualonenessofallfuturecouples.

SowhenothersanalyzetheCreationstoryandseeevidenceforsoulmates,Iseeanincidentisolatedtotwopersonsinthecreationofaninstitution.WhereothersseeaperfectcoupleinAdamandEve,perfectbecauseGodmadeonefortheother,Iseetheinauguralmarriage;whetherthetwowereperfectforeachotherornot.Wheresomeseeproofofdivineinterventionforallmarriages,Iseedivinenecessityfortheveryfirstmarriage.TakingaribfromthemaleinordertocreateafemalewithhisDNAwasn’taboutthemasmuchasitwasabouttheonenessofmatrimony.Thefirstmanandwomanwerefigurativelyandliterally,oneinmarriage.Eventhelocationfromwhichthebonewastakenhassignificance;fromhissideasopposedtohishead,back,hand,orfoot.(Theribisacurvedbonestretchingfrombacktofrontalongtheside.Attimesshefollows,brieflyshemaylead,butsheisalwaysbyhisside!)

Theappealofthesoulmatephilosophyistheideaofanidealunion;arelationshippreordainedbytheAlmightyfromthebeginningoftime,thusguaranteeing

asuccessfullovingmarriage.Otherwise,what’sthepointofbeingsoulmates?(Oddlyenoughsomecoupleswhoclaimtobesoulmatesfightlikecatsanddogs.)ThistheoryalsomakesGodliableforthehappinessorheartachecausedbythespouse;sinceHeordainedthisunionatthefoundationoftheworldandbroughtthemtogether.

Sohowdoesthesearchforasoulmatetypicallyplayout?First,onemakesthepresumptionthatthepersonheorsheismadlyinlovewithistheirsoulmate.Iftherelationshipisn’tconducivetoahealthyunionorsomeoneelsecomesalongyoufeelmorestronglyisthesoulmate,thenwhat?DoyoupullanUsherRaymondand“leavetheoneyou’rewithtostartanewrelationship...”?Asyoucansee,Idon’tsubscribetotheideaofasoulmate.

I’vegoneonrecordsayingIbelievethereareasmanyasabaker’sdozenineverymajorcitythatcouldcomplimentyouandmakeyouhappy,twoorthreeofthem(fromeachdozen)moresothanothers.SoIthinkthemostimportantcharacteristicforapersonyouintendtomarryisn’tifyoubelieveheorshewashandpickedbyGod,orhowmanythingsyoutwohaveincommon,butratherifthispersonisagoodpersonathisorhercore.Doesheorsheoperateintrinsicallyoutofwisdomorrawemotion?Isheorsheessentiallyaforgivingperson,notvindictive,ordwellsinastateofgrudges?Doesheorshefightfairandonlyoutofnecessity,oriswarlikeinnature?Doesthispersongenuinelylikewhoyouareasaperson,beyondaphysicaloremotionalinfatuation?Doesheorshetreatyouasifyouareafriendorjustamate?Doesheorsheexhibitthenatureofloveorjustloveyou?

Soulmatesareadimeadozen,butagenuinelygoodpersonistherarestofEarth’streasures!(Thinkaboutit;howmany“soulmates”haveyouencounteredthusfar?)Soinsteadofsearchingforyour“soulmate”Irecommendyouscreenforthe“SaltoftheEarth.”Makingcertainyouareagoodpersonaswell!Intime,twopeoplethataregood[people]willbegreatforeachother,andwillgrowinloveforyearstocome!

Ironsharpensiron,solet’sbebetterbecauseofit

Gerald A, Montgomery

Moringaisawonderfultreethatprovidesmostofthenutrientsweneedtostayhealthy.Moringaleafpowderisespeciallynutriionalwhenservedinasmoothieforbreakfast.

YoucandrinkMoringaleafpowderinatea,butforthoseofyouthatprefertohavesomeadditionalcolorandflavor,trythisMoringaMangoSmoothieforlunchorbreakfast.

Forthesmoothieyouwillputthefollowingingredientsinablender: • 1mango • 1banana • 1tspofdicedginger • 1cupwater • 1tbspspoonofMoringaLeafPowderThisrecipemakesenoughfortwo,sogoaheadandsharethiswithyourspecialsomeone!

Moringa Mango Smoothie

ByWangechiRuguaru

Amotherofthree,wife,Africanwoman….FolakeKuyeHuntoonhasalwaysbeenintofashionaslongassheremembers.Aftergraduatingfromhighschoolat15,shewenttofashionschoolbeforeenrollingatUniversityofMarylandCollegePark.

HerblogStylePantryhasbecomeabibleformostwomen.Folake’sstyleandimaginationissowildandcreative.Sheputspiecestogetherthatleavesonewonderingwhytheydidn’tthinkofthat.ILikeherpage,Ifollowherblog,loveherstyle!

Shealwaysmanagestopunchupeventhemostbasicoutfitstomakethemlookfabulous.Let’snoteventalkabouthowmuchILOVEherhair!

Speak No Evil

Most lament about the lack of information or lack of

access to information as far as our beloved continent

Africa is concerned. However, due to efforts by The

National Archives, we now have access to images

collected by the British on many African countries such

as Zambia, Ethiopia, Madagascar etc. Check out the

collection of images curated and available on Flickr by

going to http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalarchives/

collections/72157625827328771/

See No Evil

Nairobi Half Life is a film that tells the story of a young man who moves to Nairobi from Up Country to pursue his dreams. This is what most young people do and even though there have been a ton of these stories told in films over the years. It is refreshing seeing these through the Kenyan perspective.

This is a film written, shot and produced by young Kenyans similar in some ways to the protagonist in this film. Nairobi Half Life has received fantastic reviews and it would do you good for you to also check it out.

Here is the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch v=nRjBLAnx2jU&feature=player_embedded

Hear No EvilIf you want to only hear the fantastic sounds coming out of Africa and

the African diaspora you need to always listed to Afropop Worldwide.

Afropop Worldwide is a radio program and online magazine dedicated

to music from Africa and the African Diaspora.

Hosted by one of Africa’s best-loved broadcast personalities, Georges

Collinet, and produced by Sean Barlow, the radio show is currently

distributed by PRI Public Radio International to over 115 stations in the

U.S., as well as stations in Europe and Africa.

HACKS/HACKERS?What is Hacks/Hackers?Hacks/Hackers is a rapidly expanding international grassroots journalism organization with dozens of chapters (and counting) and thousands of members across four continents (and counting). Their mission is to create a network of journalists (“hacks”) and technologists (“hackers”) who rethink the future of news and information.

What do Hacks/Hackers do?

Their mission is to spread knowledge. information and ideas. Local chapter activities currently include talks, hackathons and demo days (just to get to know each other). They have also been known to are also known to throw awesome parties with great DJs. Based on demand, we are strategically trying to expand into offering courses such as coding for beginners, Google Fusion Tables etc. If you have any ideas, please email us at organizers@HacksHackers.com.

Who are You?

The organizers are just normal folks who are passionate about the future of news.

How Do I Get Involved?

To find out more about this movement bridging the gap between tech geeks and wordsmiths go to www.hackshackers.comIf you like what they are about join the chapter in your area? If you’re interested in starting a chapter in your city, tell us more about yourself and what you have in mind. Also, you can email them at volunteers@HacksHackers.com if you just want to get involved.