Hustle and Scribble

A Twisted Tale of Identity, Privilege, and Consequences. The Strays is one of those films that sneaks up on you, gently taps your shoulder, and then punches you square in the gut. Directed by Nathaniel Martello-White , this psychological thriller dives headfirst into the messy complexities of race, identity, and privilege , leaving you equal parts intrigued and unnerved.   The film introduces us to Neve , a perfectly polished woman living her perfectly curated life in an affluent suburban neighborhood. Her world is a Pinterest board come to life: pristine house, doting husband, two well-mannered kids, and a position of prominence within her community. But, as with all things that look too perfect, something is bubbling just beneath the surface.   And that “something” arrives in the form of two strangers who begin lurking in Neve’s seemingly impenetrable world. These strangers are not your run-of-the-mill stalkers, though. As the layers peel back, we discover they ...

Morning rolls in with the chirp of birds—or is it my alarm? Either way, I’m up by 6 AM, give or take 30 minutes depending on how cozy my bed feels or how fast my toddler’s feet hit the floor. Laundry is usually my first assignment of the day. Yes, laundry. There’s something oddly therapeutic about it, though I can’t explain what. Maybe it’s the satisfaction of crossing one thing off the never-ending to-do list before the day has even begun. After tackling the clothes, it’s my turn to get ready. Showered and fresh, I take a seat for breakfast, which is usually either leftovers from last night or a comforting cup of tea. No pressure for culinary extravagance here; I’m just fueling up to face the day. Somewhere in this rhythm, I steal some precious minutes with my daughter, who, without fail, melts my heart every morning with her energy and endless questions. By 7:30 or 8, I’m out the door, heading to work. My daily walk is a mix of steps and spiritual nourishment, thanks to a rotation ...

So it’s Monday. The start of the week. The day we all pretend to be optimistic about achieving our goals, getting things done, and absolutely crushing it (pun intended). Except for me, today’s vibe feels more like a mix of trying to figure out if my period is late, endlessly battling a Candy Crush level, and having a massive internal debate about whether or not I should actually go through with this interview video I’m supposed to shoot. Let’s start with Candy Crush, because why not? I’m on level 795  and honestly, at this point, I think it’s personal. Like the game knows I’ve got things to do today—important things like figuring out life, or at least pretending I have my life together—and it’s punishing me for daring to exist. I’ve been stuck on this level since yesterday, which, to be fair, is a lot of minutes when you’re this close to 30 and your time is, theoretically, precious. But no, instead of being productive, I’m over here swiping away like a toddler trying to solve a ...

The last four days have been nothing short of eventful—a whirlwind of travel, baby cuddles, and family reunions that left my heart full and my legs aching (public transport is no joke). It was the kind of trip where you blink, and suddenly it’s over, leaving you with a mix of exhaustion and gratitude.   It started on Thursday when we (me, my mum, my sister and my daughter, Jahzara ) embarked on a journey to Nakuru , specifically Lanet. We were off to visit my auntie, Small Mama , who had just welcomed her youngest baby, Baby G . It had been four long years since my mum was in Nakuru, so you can imagine how much was riding on this visit.   Small Mama’s home was the first stop, and the vibe was electric. Baby G was the star of the show, her tiny coos and newborn sweetness pulling all of us in like magnets. There’s something about holding a newborn that makes everything else fade away—even the chaos of wrangling two kids on public transport.   Speaking of the ...

 I’ve always thought of myself as someone who loves a good challenge. But then, when it comes to actually stepping out of my comfort zone? Let’s just say I’m more of a “sit back, watch the action, and maybe cheer from a safe distance” type. But that was before I started thinking about the time Peter stepped out of the boat in the middle of a storm. You know the story— Jesus , walking on water , calls Peter to come join Him, and for a brief, shining moment, Peter actually walks on water too. That’s the kind of faith we all want, right? The bold, fearless faith that lets you step out of your boat and into the stormy unknown , trusting that Jesus will catch you if you start to sink. But the moment the wind and waves got too much for Peter, he took his eyes off Jesus and started to drown. Not the most graceful move.  But, wait—this story isn’t about how Peter failed. It’s about how he trusted enough to take that first step in the first place. Let’s be real: the scariest part of...

If life were a performance, I’d be the person in the middle of the stage trying to juggle flaming torches, balance on a unicycle, and sing the national anthem all at once. Spoiler: I drop the torches. Often. For the longest time, I thought I had to get everything right for God to accept me. I’d convince myself that if I just tried harder, prayed more eloquently, or avoided losing my temper when someone cut me off in traffic, I’d finally deserve His love. But here’s the plot twist: God doesn’t ask us to have it all together. He asks us to come as we are, messy, flawed, and exhausted, and let His grace do the rest. I think about Paul ’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 : “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Weakness. Not strength. Not perfection. Weakness. That hit me harder than my toddler's toys underfoot at 3 a.m.  “Hey, you’re such a calm presence. You always seem so patient.” people would say and I almost burst out laughing. If they only knew th...

Evelyn Hugo , the woman who rewrote Hollywood’s golden age , left us all clutching pearls and tissues. Taylor Jenkins Reid delivers a dazzling tale of love, ambition, and secrets in the life of a star who refuses to be defined by the headlines—or her husbands. Evelyn Hugo is different from your typical protagonist. She’s bold, unapologetic, and incredibly human. Through the seven husbands, we see her evolve—sometimes thriving, sometimes surviving, but always staying true to her ultimate goal: living life on her terms. Let’s meet the husbands: Ernie Diaz : The starter pack. He gets Evelyn to Hollywood, and for that, we thank him. But let’s be real, he’s more of a chapter header than a full story. Don Adler : Proof that charm can be dangerous. Don’s chapter is a tough read, highlighting the sacrifices and pain Evelyn endured to climb the ladder. Mick Riva : A whirlwind mistake. If Mick were a recipe, he’d be “poor decisions, baked at high speed.” Rex North : The strategic partner. Their...

Simple.   Complex.   They say.   Honestly, who am I, really?   A dreamer.   A bibliophile .   An introvert .   I'd say.   But that feels like an unfinished sentence, like leaving a blank page in the middle of a thrilling novel. It’s not enough.   Because I love passionately.   I hate stubbornly (mostly when the Wi-Fi buffers ).   I give generously—sometimes too much.   I take grudgingly—blame my awkward guilt reflex.   I’m just human, after all.   But who is Shee?   A believer—though my faith stumbles like a toddler learning to walk.   A life enthusiast—except before coffee.   A survivor, because life throws punches.   A warrior, because I throw punches back.   A princess, because I know my worth.   And a queen too—because, well, I’m extra like that.   Lol.   I’m light o...

Dear Hobbies, It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I thought it was time to write you a little love letter, to reminisce about all the times we shared. You know, the times I thought I’d finally found "the one"—the hobby that would change everything. But, in true me fashion, we’d get a few weeks in, and I’d end up abandoning you for something new. Yet, even though you were short-lived, you all taught me a little something along the way. The Knitting Phase: Cozy Dreams, Tangled Reality Knitting was supposed to be my cozy, relaxing hobby, right? I imagined myself sitting on a comfy chair, needles clicking away, creating scarves and blankets, maybe even one of those oversized chunky-knit throws that Instagram influencers made look so easy. It was going to be my thing. What actually happened? Well, let’s just say my attempts at knitting were more "artistic interpretation" than "functional scarf." I was left with a pile of tangled yarn, some stitches that didn’t quit...

If adulthood were a video game, it would be the kind where you’re dropped into the middle of a chaotic world without a tutorial. No map, no cheats, and absolutely no clue what you’re supposed to do. Instead, you’re bombarded with endless side quests—little tasks that seem simple but somehow take over your life. And just when you think you’ve finished one, another pops up. Welcome to the game of adulting, where there are no save points, and the boss fights are just your monthly bills. The Grocery Run (and the Forgotten Item) You’d think grocery shopping would be easy, right? A quick run to the store for bread and milk. But no, you return home with a bag of chips, some overpriced candles, and a bottle of wine you don’t even drink. Oh, and guess what’s not in the bag? Bread. Somehow, the grocery store turns into a test of willpower and memory. You wander the aisles, thinking you’re on top of it, only to realize halfway through cooking that you forgot the main ingredient. Meal planning? Th...

Overthinking is my middle name. Actually, no, that’s a lie—it’s Wanjiru. But if names reflected personalities, I’d be Overthinking Mary (or is it Mary the Overthinker? See? I’m doing it already). If indecision were a sport, I’d be competing at the Olympics and second-guessing whether I should’ve worn the gold medal or framed it instead. It’s not a lifestyle I chose, mind you. It just kind of happened. Like that friend who always shows up uninvited and overstays their welcome, overthinking decided to take permanent residence in my brain. It always starts small. Like deciding what to eat. Simple? Wrong. My brain turns it into a full-blown board meeting with the agenda: “Will this decision ruin my life?” “What’s for dinner?” spirals into: What’s in the house? Did I finish the ugali flour ? Should I just go with rice? But rice again? Will this choice make me lazy and uninspired? What if I suddenly develop some rare food allergy? Is this why I am underweight? By the time I’m done deliberat...

So, here I am, standing on the other side of 25 (and, okay, 26 too), still wondering how I don’t know how to balance a checkbook , cook a proper meal , or make my bed like a functional adult. I mean, don’t get me wrong—some things do make sense, like how cereal never tastes as good as it looks on the box or that I should probably change my sheets more than once a month. But there are so many things I should know by now that I definitely do not. By this age, I was convinced I’d have a routine. You know, wake up at 6 am, meditate, make a healthy breakfast, go for a jog, have a productive workday, and maybe write a novel in the evening. Instead, my routine is basically don’t forget to eat, and maybe I’ll shower, maybe not. Adulting has a whole lot more “winging it” than I anticipated. I wake up at the last possible minute, forget to eat breakfast, and spend an embarrassing amount of time searching for my shoes before I can leave the house. I’m the person who actually gets stressed when so...

This year, as I celebrate another spin around the sun, I’m struck by how much can fit into 365 days—the wins, the heartbreaks, the lessons, and the unexpected turns that have shaped me. It hasn’t been an easy year, but it’s been one of growth, grit, and moments of grace. If nothing else, I’ve come out of it with a deeper appreciation for life’s chaos and the strength it takes to navigate it. First things first: Reconnecting with Faith. This year, I found my way back to God , and honestly, it felt like stumbling into a warm hug after being out in the cold for too long. Rebuilding my spiritual foundation reminded me that I don’t have to shoulder life alone. When things felt uncertain, faith gave me peace. It’s been like having a lighthouse guiding me back whenever the waves of life threatened to pull me under. Prioritizing Myself (Finally). For years, I put others first— family , friends, obligations—often at the expense of my own needs. But this year, I flipped the script. I learned to...

I’m not going to lie—sometimes the best life lessons come from the most unexpected places. Like, say, sitcoms. You know, those 22-minute episodes where everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow by the end, and you get to laugh and feel good about life for a bit. But beyond the laughs, there’s actually a lot of wisdom tucked into those crazy plots. Trust me. Take Friends , for example. Yeah, I’m aware it’s one of those shows people either love or roll their eyes at, but hear me out. The gang may have been ridiculous, but their loyalty to each other? That's real life material right there. Rachel and Ross ? Yeah, their relationship had its ups and downs, but the loyalty, the “we’re in this together” vibe—sometimes that’s the foundation of solid friendships (minus the drama, of course). In a world where everyone's too busy to text back, we could all take a note from their playbook. Then there's Parks and Recreation , with the ultimate optimism machine, Leslie Knope . Now, i...

Let me introduce you to the one constant in my life that refuses to ghost me: procrastination . It’s not just a bad habit; it’s a full-on situationship. Toxic? Absolutely. Entertaining? Unquestionably. It’s the partner I never asked for but somehow can’t seem to shake off—like that matatu conductor who insists on giving you your change in coins when he clearly has notes in hand.(Na bado ataenda kutafuta loose) Here’s the thing about being a 26-year-old Kenyan parent : life is already chaotic. Between juggling work, school (hello, part-time online classes I swore would “open doors”), and raising a toddler who somehow has the energy of 20 people, you’d think I’d have no room for procrastination. But no, it sneaks in like a hawker selling socks in traffic—persistent, uninvited, and annoyingly persuasive. Procrastination, though, isn’t always about sleep. Sometimes it’s about rediscovering my priorities. Like, why do the dishes now when I could be watching TikTok DIYs on how to clean di...

In the podcast titled Dealing with Climate Emergency and Disaster Risks : How Can We Make Climate and Risk Knowledge Accessible to Those Who Need It Most?, the discussion revolves around bridging the gap in climate-related knowledge for vulnerable communities who are most at risk from climate change and disasters . One of the key issues raised is that the communities most affected often have the least access to crucial information that could help them prepare, adapt, and recover from disasters. This lack of information access amplifies the challenges they face during and after climate emergencies . The experts in the podcast stress that while there is a wealth of climate data available globally, the format, language, and technical complexity of this information are often barriers to the people who need it most. Making climate and risk information digestible and relevant to these communities is vital for their resilience. The podcast highlights the importance of local knowledge in a...

In March 2024, the National Cold Chain Stakeholders Workshop gathered experts and stakeholders to address the critical gaps in cold chain infrastructure within Kenya’s agrifood sector . The workshop sought to validate a country report on the cold chain infrastructure and engage key players to discuss the sector's challenges and opportunities. This workshop aimed to not only assess the current state of cold chain systems in Kenya but also explore potential sustainable solutions that would reduce food loss, enhance value for farmers, and contribute to climate resilience . The Growing Cold Chain Challenge in Kenya Globally, approximately 12% of food production is lost due to inefficient cold chain systems. In Kenya, this figure stands at an alarming 30%, particularly affecting the horticulture, meat, and fish sectors . The absence of a robust cold chain not only impacts food availability but also reduces the income of smallholder farmers . The workshop underscored how vulnerable sma...