Hustle and Scribble

Let me tell you, raising a human being in this economy is ghetto. Absolute ghetto. Some mornings I wake up feeling like I have it all figured out, I mean, how hard can it be? I’ve watched enough YouTube , read enough X threads , and even skimmed through a parenting book once (okay, twice). But by 9 a.m., I’m sweating, my patience is hanging by a thread, and I’m negotiating with a toddler over why we can’t eat yogurt straight from the cup with a fork. And don’t get me started on those “ perfect parents ” online the ones with color-coded toy bins , kids in matching outfits, and packed lunches with faces made of carrots and cucumbers. Me? I’m just out here wondering if it’s bad parenting to serve ugali and sukuma twice in one day. Honestly, is there a chapter somewhere that tells you when you officially qualify as a bad mum or are we all just vibing?   You see, they sell us this dream of gentle parenting . “Speak softly.” “Use positive affirmations .” Meanwhile, I’m over here s...

When managing a project like SOLAR THRIVE , where every detail from production logistics to customer satisfaction needs to be tracked, you start to see life differently. Deadlines, bottlenecks, unexpected crises . Sound familiar? Turns out, the same principles that keep a renewable energy project on track can also help manage the chaos of everyday life.   Here’s what I’ve learned about project managing my life from working on SOLAR THRIVE:   Planning Is Everything (But Plans Will Change) At work, we have production schedules , delivery timelines , and KPIs to meet. In life? Well, things don’t always go as planned either. I’ve learned to structure my goals while staying flexible. Instead of rigid to-do lists, I now break tasks into sprints , short, manageable chunks, so that even when life throws curveballs, I still make progress.   Lesson: Plan like an engineer, adapt like a survivor. Data Tracking Keeps You Honest Solar Thrive’s success depends on meas...

Have you ever met someone and felt like you already knew them? Like your souls had been in sync long before your physical paths crossed? Science might call it coincidence, but some theories, and a whole lot of personal experiences, suggest something deeper. There’s an idea that we are subconsciously connected to the people meant to be in our lives before we even meet them. It sounds poetic, almost magical, but even science has some breadcrumbs that hint at this possibility. Quantum entanglement , a phenomenon where particles remain connected regardless of distance, suggests that at the most fundamental level, connection is not bound by time or space. So, what if human connections work the same way? Think about it. Have you ever met someone and immediately felt safe, understood, or inexplicably drawn to them? As if the universe had been weaving your stories together long before you turned the page to each other? It’s the kind of connection that doesn’t need logic or explanation,it just ...

In today's digitally driven world, screens are an integral part of daily life, especially for children. From educational tools to entertainment, the exposure is constant. This ubiquity raises a pressing question, how does screen time influence children's cognitive development and intelligence ? Research presents a nuanced view of screen time's impact on children's intelligence. A study published in Nature indicates mixed outcomes, with effect sizes typically ranging from -0.20, suggesting that the relationship between screen time and cognitive abilities is complex and not entirely negative. Conversely, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that children born extremely preterm who engaged in more than two hours of daily screen time exhibited lower IQ scores and increased behavioral problems. This suggests that excessive screen exposure may exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in certain populations.  The formative years are critical for brain development ...

Before I became a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter, an engineer, before I took on any of these roles, I was, and still am, a woman. That’s not just a biological fact. It’s the foundation of everything I am. It’s the lens through which I experience the world, the reason I fight a little harder, prove myself a little more, and carry the weight of expectations I never signed up for. I exist in a world that often tries to define me by my relationships to others. “You’re such a good sister.” “You’re a great mom.” “You’re a strong woman in STEM.” And while all of that is true, I can’t help but wonder, would I still be enough if I was just… me? I juggle logistics, deadlines, and quality control at work. I coordinate, nurture, and problem-solve at home. I am expected to do it all, effortlessly, as if I were built for multitasking on expert mode. I’ve mastered the art of switching from technical reports to bedtime stories, from factory floors to family dinners, from professional to perso...

Africa , a continent endowed with approximately 60% of the world's uncultivated arable land, paradoxically finds itself grappling with escalating food insecurity . Despite this vast agricultural potential, the continent imports food worth billions annually . This contradiction raises a pressing question: Why is a land so fertile facing such profound hunger challenges? Recent reports paint a grim picture over 140 million Africans face acute food insecurity, with one in five going to bed hungry each night. This crisis is not merely a statistic; it's a daily struggle for survival for millions. Factors such as conflict , climate change , and economic instability exacerbate the situation, leading to widespread malnutrition and loss of life. For instance, in West and Central Africa , over 40 million people are currently struggling with food insecurity, with numbers projected to increase to 52 million by mid-next year.  Unpacking the Paradox Several interwoven factors contribute ...

The HVAC industry is undergoing a significant transformation driven by environmental imperatives and regulatory changes . The phase-out of high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, notably R-410A , marks a pivotal shift towards more sustainable alternatives. This transition, while essential for environmental stewardship, presents a series of trends and challenges that stakeholders must adeptly navigate. Central to this transition is the adoption of refrigerants with lower GWP. Replacements such as R-454B and R-32 have emerged as front-runners, offering reduced environmental impact. R-454B, for instance, boasts a GWP that is 78% lower than that of R-410A, making it a compelling alternative for new HVAC systems. These refrigerants align with global efforts to mitigate climate change by minimizing the ecological footprint of cooling systems. The regulatory framework governing refrigerants has become increasingly stringent. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Ag...

In the quiet moments of motherhood, I often find myself reflecting on the world my toddler is growing up in, a world where vibrant screens and catchy tunes from shows like Cocomelon dominate the landscape of childhood entertainment. As a mother deeply passionate about nurturing a love for reading, I grapple with the challenge of fostering this passion in an era where digital media holds such sway over young minds. The omnipresence of digital content is undeniable. Shows like Cocomelon captivates toddlers with their bright visuals and repetitive melodies, offering parents a momentary respite. However, concerns arise when screen time begins to encroach upon activities that are crucial for cognitive and linguistic development . Excessive exposure to screens has been linked to potential delays in language acquisition and a decline in attention spans , making it imperative to find a balance. The Irreplaceable Value of Reading Reading offers a unique, immersive experience that screens o...