I love Dostoyevsky

So I've been in Nairobi for a little over a month, and have met some interesting people and have seen some interesting things. I still love my job. Last week I went to Kampala for an IB workshop in Environmental Systems. I loved it.

However, there are two things that are consuming me.

One is the book I'm fully engrossed in. It is Dostoyevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' and the second is my new favorite Wii game, 'Bully'.

Birthday Baby's All grown up!

The first sleep of my 34th year was great. There was only one scary part - I woke up in the middle of the night after a dream filled with snakes. There were lots of them, pyramidal heads, slithering tongues, dark eyes and their heads and necks were a soft pinkish/beige colour. Beautiful creatures, but I woke up scared man!

But I'm a leo.

And leo's, themselves, are scary.

Still, I wanted to know the 'interpretation'. So my friend Farahnaz sent me some really cool information in the morning. We'll get to that later.

According to 'cafeastrology.com', this year is going to be pretty fantastic:

"The Year Ahead
Forecast for July 2008 to July 2009
The Sun in harmonious aspect to the Moon in your Solar Return chart is a pleasant aspect, suggesting that your domestic and career needs are not in competition with one another this year. Your inner needs tend to be mirrored by external events, and vice versa. You are likely to be on top of your game this year for the most part, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. A comfortable level of personal popularity helps keep conflict to a minimum. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there will be less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!
Venus is trine Pluto in your Solar Return chart. Romantic relationships and attractions have a fated quality to them this year. This could be a year in which you fall in love, and this could be with a person, an activity, or a cause! Meeting someone who transforms your life, and more specifically your values and attitude towards love, is possible under this influence. Strong existing relationships are likely to grow and transform in rewarding ways, as you are more open than usual to intensity and passion. Your finances could also improve dramatically this year.
The Sun conjuncts the South Node in your Solar Return chart, indicating that you are likely to be dealing with karma in your personal relationships, especially those with men. You may be feeling hesitant about pursuing your goals or "taking" what you want from life. Relationships always mirror our own inner conflicts, but this year, you are bound to find particular meaning in your relationship dynamics in terms of your own life path.
Mercury in favorable aspect to Jupiter suggests that your ability to express yourself and to solve problems is enhanced this year. You may have opportunities to travel; and matters related to publishing, teaching, and writing should go especially well. You may find that you have the right information at the right time this year. You could also have big ideas and plans. Work, especially in communications, goes well. Because Mercury forms a tense aspect with Neptune as well, err on the side of caution if offers arrive that seem too good to be true. Some confusion or possibly deception could arise in communications this year, and you may be skipping important details without even realizing it.
Mars opposes Uranus, and this can be a year when bursts of restlessness, rebellion, and impatience figure prominently. You have a tendency to take risks and to act on sudden impulses without considering consequences. You assert your will and individuality powerfully, and you are ready to fight for freedom! There may be changes in work schedules, or life's circumstances could challenge you in such a way that you need to change your goals or actions. This can also be a time when you tend to resist others and challenge them if they are trying to hold you back. Energy fluctuates this year. Anger can erupt seemingly from nowhere. If you aren't too rash or impulsive, you might be able to free yourself from restrictive circumstances. You could also have more courage than usual to do things that break the routine, and confrontations engaged in this year could clear the air and help you to move forward.
Love has a wonderful, fated quality to it this year, and growing through the connections you have made or will make figures prominently. Impatience could be a downfall this year, if you succumb to it. Opportunities for travel are likely to present themselves. Getting creative with your ideas is a theme this year. Overall emotional balance improves your life across the board.
2008 is a Number Five year for you. Ruled by Mercury. This is a year of exploration and freedom. It's a time when exploration and reaching out to others brings opportunities. It's a good time to advertise and sell. Surprises are in store, and the routine is broken. This is a year when exciting relationships can be formed, or, if you are already in a partnership, new life is breathed into the relationship. Advice - explore, look for adventure, keep your eyes open for opportunities, mingle.
2009 will be a Number Six year for you. Ruled by Venus. This is a year of relative contentment. It is a time when love is the easiest to attract, and partnerships formed under this vibration have a better chance for longevity. You are able to attract others, and material things as well, this year. This is a good year for establishing harmony in the family and in the home. Advice - develop existing relationships, be positive and receptive because these kinds of energies help you to attract what you desire."

Sally Brompton of the New York Post says this:

"Affairs of the heart, creative activities, and anything that makes you glad to be alive are under excellent stars over the coming 12 months, so stop looking back at what didn't work out and look forward to all the fantastic times still to come. Life is good."

She's got a point. Life's been pretty good lately. Amazing actually.

Then, my friend Farahnaz sent me this great interpretation about my birthday snake dream:

"Snake
1. An ancient symbol of transmutation. The dreamer will soon undergo a vast inner change that will be reflected in her outer life. If the dream is a positive and uplifting one, then good times are ahead. If the dream is a scary one, the times ahead may still be good ones, but the dreamer needs to be very careful of pitfalls along the way.2. An even more ancient symbol for the Great Goddess. If the dreamer is a woman, then she will soon come into realization of her power as a woman."

Woman.

Cool:)

Step One - My first blog

Since a series of fortunate events have been happening lately, I've decided to become a blogger.

I went out with great friends and even wore pink:

Experts say that the simple things in life give you pleasure. Sort of like popping bubble wrap or listening to your iPod.

I'm going to Nairobi for the first time. I'm not new to Africa life though, or expat life. I'm gonna work here:

None of this stuff wanted (aka weird dudes):

Errr . . no.

Food tastes really sweet . . .

I'm still a yoga girl. Meditation is good for the heart.

I want to live in the city, and I love Africa:

Too good to be true?

We'll see . . .