a new era for Somalia

As some of you may know the elections for Somalia's new president has recently taken place with Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed being crowned the new president of Somalia late last night. The event was probably one of the most archaic but transparent event in political history. I was pleasantly surprised as Somalis have long befriended war and anarchy over peace and negotiation. I do hope this marks a beginning of a peaceful era where my people can have some sort of hope in regaining their nation.

That's my political thought for the day out of the way :) I'm off to catch 'New in Town'! (Have you guys noticed I'm becoming a cinemaholic?! lol).

thoughts to share

I came into the office this morning and was having my daily catch-up with some colleagues. It suddenly occurred to me every pressing news we discuss to either include in the news is almost always about fightings and attacks that are constantly taking place in Somalia. We discuss which group has taken over which city and who's the leader of the day in any given area. And we do so without a blink of an emotional eyelid. Civilians dying, religious and social groups fighting each other, the slaughter of young men and women has become the norm of a daily routine in Somalia. It baffles me how people who share the same religion, race, language and culture can be so inhumane towards each other. Nevertheless it seems that when tragedy occurs on a daily basis, the frequency numbs our emotions.

On a more lighter note, I found a Safeway six blocks from where I live last night after walking around for what seemed like an eternity! I managed to buy me some fruit and veg though :)

P.S. did you guys know that pharmacies here sell everything but human flesh? Americans love their one-stop convenience. lmao

post inauguration..

The city has calmed down I'm happy to say with public transport back to normal and human traffic diminished. I've had the most restful weekend ever. I slept in on Saturday til 10ish, went into work briefly only to come back around 1pm and catch up on some more sleeping! Pattern repeated itself on Sunday only this time I only woke up to eat around midday and went back to sleep at 3pm!Mind you, the past week and a half took a hell of a lot out of me so a charge up was definitely overdue. I also managed to pick up the springboard for my mattress and bought some pots and pans along with a few other essential household items. So I now have somewhere to sleep and somewhere to cook lol! (I feel like a cavewoman!). It will be pimped out next month though :)
My job has pleasantly taken up most of my time with breaking news coming in by the dozen! This morning we found out the Islamist militia group Al-Shabaab has taken control of the central Somali city Baidoa and are aiming to trial anyone they believe have committed a crime (remember the 14 yr old girl who was whipped to death?!). It will be interesting to see how the transitional government will deal with this once presidential elections in Djibouti are done..

between a rock and a stunning view..

I have officially moved into my new apartment in the heart of DC. My balcony overlooks Capitol Hill, the Lincoln Memorial and the National Mall and all other historical buildings. I'm chuffed even though it is completely bare but fixing up soon come!
The city is slowly recovering from inauguration mayhem. The roads aren't barricaded anymore and the public transport has returned to normal service. It was mental though, towards the end I think a lot of people including myself were getting fed-up of all the Obama palaver. But I do think I have come to America at the right time. I had a great time throughout inauguration weekend partying in various places but exhaustion caught up with me. Hence the off day on Wednesday! (oh well guess I'm working on Saturday).
I went to Baltimore yesterday, the airport to be exact to drop off a friend who was flying out from there and came back to cruise the streets of DC with my sister in tow. We went to Gallery Place Chinatown, which is like their West End but unlike the West End's bars and clubs in abundance these streets are packed with restaurants and all sorts of eatery places! Americans sure love to eat (and Brits do love their drink lol!)
We had a good old jolly time catching up. Afterwards we hooked up with a friend to smoke some shisha at the cozy place in Georgetown. Slept for two hours and went to work! No rest for the wicked as they say.
I was laughing yesterday when Obama was sworn in again, all thanks to the forever complaining Republicans. Can I just say did you guys see Michelle Obama on Tuesday? that woman defines eloquence to the T! Sublime beauty.
As my sister is leaving tonight we are planning to go to the Martin Luther king Museum and finish off our detour at Nando's! FYI it is the only Nando's in the whole of the USA!
Wishing you a safe trip in advance baby girl, mwuah!

President Barack Obama takes over!

Today we here in DC witnessed history in the making; the transition of power of the position of presidency of the United States of America handed over to the first African-American. The story is as surreal as it sounds and the event that took place was as breathtaking as the President's accomplishment itself.
The crowd that came out to celebrate this day could not be counted. It literally took me 3 hours to make the journey from home to work which normally takes around 30 min. It was extremely cold and the roads were barricaded making the journey to the National Mall, Capitol Hill and to my office even more difficult but it is all in the name of history.
This nation can now live in hope that change can happen and people of all backgrounds and abilities can achieve whatever they set out to achieve. Even if he does not accomplish a great deal of change, Barack has at least created a great deal of hope and aspiration amongst his people. He has succeeded to gather his people for the single belief in one man's ability to better their lives. Americans have been brought together to unite.

inauguration mayhem is around the corner

The buzz of inauguration has literally taken over the District of Culmbia and its neighbouring states. The metro is overcrowded and the buses can barely accommodate for their passengers. But it is all going down in the name of history. I am extremely excited. More so because my sister will be here to celebrate with me as of tonight!
I went to see my apartment yesterday and fell in love. I have a gorgeous view overlooking Capitol Hill, brand new laminated floor, a new fridge and cooker. My balcony stretches from side to side! I'm a happy bunny, guys. DC agrees with me.

I'm particularly in a euphoric state of bliss today as I've successfully done my first live reporting on air in Somali! I also took part in a discussion panel discussing the impact of the Ethiopian troops' withdrawal from Somalia for the English to Africa division. you can check this out on www.voanews.com/africa/english and look for the journalists roundtable prgoram.
Let me know your thoughts.

To tell the stories of the unheard..

was the prime reason that attracted me to journalism. I often found myself mesmerized by tales of ordinary people who survived through extraordinary times. Times of grief, death, sorrow and torture. People who reside in tiny huts in unknown villages who carry their communities on their shoulders. Mothers who fought tooth and nail, academically, physically and mentally, to give their children prosperous opportunities.
I was reminded of that reason quite vividly today after listening to Obama's 2004 speech. A good friend of mine here in DC recommended I ought to listen to it and I'm glad he did. I was profoundly moved, at times close to tears. He portrayed how a simple man from a humble upbringing climbed his way to the top. Not by being rich or well-connected but by taking advantage of the possibilities this country has. I am grasping a better understanding of what constitues the 'American dream' each day.
As he says in his speech a name should never be a barrier to success. With Barack Obama as a name, America must be more tolerant than we Europeans give them credit for. The notion of America being a beacon of freedom, as he calls it, is slowly hitting a nerve day by day.
I wonder if a similar situation occurred in Britain, could we have a black prime minister, perhaps even a deputy prime minister? Although Britain has impeccably raised the bars of multiculturalism and levels of integration for minorities and majorities residing in Britain, it seems the bar may be set at Baroness Patricia Scotland's QC level.
Let me know what your thoughts are...

I found out my apartment is finally near ready. I'll be able to move in by Thursday latest. I sigh of relief! This Thursday I'm also looking forward to welcoming my sister to what I have so far discovered of DC. Good times ahead!

a weekend of research

With the inauguration nearing, I've been familiarising myself with the presidents of the United States. I've learned that Glover Cleveland was the only president to leave the white house only to return to it four years later! Fascinating.
I also went to see Valkirie yesterday, the film with Tom Cruise based on the last coup attempt to overthrow Hitler before his suicide. It was quite enjoyable. Went to a shisha bar afterwards in the Georgetown area where most univeristy students tend to hang out. The place reminds me of the little streets in Soho and Green Park, very trendy in a non-American way.
I'm still waiting for my apartment to become available, it really is past testing my patience now the place was meant to be evacuated by Jan the 1st! They're aslo still processing my SSN and therefore all other procedures are on hold!
In my struggle to not delve into a state of depression I've been increasingly finding comfort in American doughnots, and as a consequence growing closer to clinical obesity! with no functioning gym in sight I am out of depth here. HELP!
Other than that the euphoric state of bliss that DC has put me in lingers on (funnily enough lol)!
I've met some nice and very hospitable few people who've become my backbone in the quest to get to know DC and consequently very good friends of mine in a short space of time. Am I lucky or what?!

new year, same habits!

my efforts to improve my time management continue to decline, dear folks hence the severe delay in posting this blog. However I do have a heap of stuff to let loose, firstly Happy belated new year!! 2009 has swooped by, I've literally worked through it! I am enjoying myself though so no complaints.
New years eve was surprisingly entertaining. I reluctantly went to the Somali concert with a few colleagues, expecting some sort of dispute to kick off but guess what; Somalis in DC are actually well-behaved! Can you believe the whole concert was fight-free?! The atmosphere was pleasant, people were dancing, drinking, eating and generally having a good time. Maryooley folks here aren't half bad.
I went straight to work after the concert and knocked out around 4pm, didn't wake til 4am the next morning! Good times indeed!
Since the beginning of 2009 I have become acquanted with DC's public transport (tubes and buses!) and have grown fond of their East-coast friendliness. They're ever so polite! Back home in london one wouldn't dare to say hello to someone on the tube or bus, unless you wish to be labelled as a nutter! Lack of greeting here is genuinely frowned upon.
I'm still getting to grips with where everything is but now that I know the tube I'm sure I'll stumble across some shopping centres!