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| Jinja, Source of Nile, Uganda |
2019 you were a tough but a much needed defining year for me .
You are the building of the steady foundation for what is to come.
You have assured me that I am ready to take many adulting steps in the next few years.
2009 to 2019, you've been a monumental decade for me too!
The last ten years have taught me about people,
and the importance of all the different types of relationships in my life.
Life has really engaged and challenged me.
This decade made me realize that my parents were my first loves,
and theirs was the only approval that I ever needed.
I am extremely grateful that I was there near the end of their lives
And that I got to take care of them,
and show them how much I love and cherish them always.
My siblings will continue to be my biggest supporters and critics,
Those bonds can't be broken.
My friendships require just as much work as any relationship.
Where would I be without the ladies that make me a better woman?
Career-wise, I have worked hard, courtesy of my parent's teachings,
I remember my dad accusing me of being a workaholic once,
And I cheekily told him, " I learnt it from you".
As much I have worked,
I find joy in building my skill set.
I can't say it enough on this blog but I love creating.
This decade I have made videos, taken photos, blogged and painted!
Activities I thought would be banished to my childhood forever.
God has been persistently reminding me not to be a Debby Downer, I must thrive fantastically too.
This year I lost my beloved Dad
and the way my colleagues and friends rallied around me and my siblings,
left me speechless,
I was surprised and touched by their support.
People...
this decade was about me navigating and appreciating people and relationships
I need my people.
Even though sometimes I want to hide in a forest as a hermit,
and avoid all interactions...
I need my people.
But also...
my people need me.
So goodbye 2019
Here's to 2020!!
End of the year again.
Here we are.
This was really Dad's holiday.
Mum's death anniversary also falls in the month of December.
She was all about that well decorated Christmas tree.
He was all about the festivities.
This is the first of many without them both forever.
I wonder if we will keep their Christmas traditions alive...
I wonder if we will be able to stick together...
A sense of quiet follows me around this year.
I am solemn, reflective and numb at the same time.
Also...
I feel tired.
But we all know that's not new.
I am looking forward to simple things this month like,
driving through the empty roads & and streets of Kampala,
singing hymns at mass,
hearing the nativity of Christ again,
staying in bed longer,
watching my nieces and nephews dance around the Christmas tree,
and laughing with my siblings and their partners.
Simple things will make the season for me, and for us.
Merry Christmas, and thanks for dropping by.
What simple things are you looking forward to this season?
Earlier this year, I had to create some social media content around the new HPV vaccine.
The HPV vaccine for girls aged 10 years was recently introduced
into routine vaccination in Uganda.
Girls/children that age should be sexually inactive
making the vaccine more effective.
HPV stands for human papillomavirus.
It's an STD, a sexually transmitted disease.
The research I had to read to create the content, caused me sleepless nights.
We women are dying because we are afraid of talking about these things.
We are dying because we are scared to go to our doctors and discuss THESE THINGS.
You can be a good woman, a faithful wife/partner and still get HPV.
So let me not waste your time with lots of details,
you can always talk to a physician/expert to learn more.
I am only going to share what I think is important for you to know.
HPV, can lead to cervical cancer.
According to Ministry of Health(Uganda) we lose 12 women each year to cervical cancer.
And each year 6413 women are newly diagnosed with this type of cancer.
I have heard that even when one uses a condom during sex
they can still get infected with HPV.
And I have heard that you only need to have sex with one person to get infected,
so even if you are faithful to your partner
if your partner strays and gets infected chances are you will too....
Why?
Because most times those infected with HPV don't show any symptoms,
in fact most women don't know they are infected until they start
showing symptoms of cancer.
So....I am using this blog to remind us ladies
we need to get serious,
get over our fears,
and go get that pap smear.
It's weird
It's uncomfortable.
In fact... quick tip... if you can,
ask for a plastic speculum to be used
it's better than the metal one.... trust me.
Also...
Sometimes the doctor is more frightened or awkward than you.
But if you are over 21 years...it needs to be done.
I went for my very first pap smear this year.
Thank God, I got the all clear.
Cervical Cancer is treatable if it's caught early,
So get into the habit of regularly going for a pap smear as recommended by your doctor.
Mine told me, I only need to go for screening every three years.
For more information here are some helpful links below
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