MY FIRST “NAIROBI JAVA HOUSE “EXPERIENCE

#OUT & ABOUT

A fortnight ago on a Friday evening, I got invited by my dear brother for an evening chat and catch-up time. In Capital Centre Mall along the busy Mombasa Road, you’ll find Nairobi Java House. It was quite easy for us to drive from South-B, where my bro lives and use the back gate and we got a great parking spot.

As you enter the well-designed Java House, the mouthwatering scent hits your nose, and your eyes feast on the delicious cakes on display and yes, the great African artwork on the walls are never amiss for the eagle eye.

The place was abuzz and full of life with customers and the waitress was at our table as soon as we had sat. She brought the menu humbly and being new, I let my big brother make the choice and he went for one that did not disappoint.

We went with the life-changing mocha double for two and I have to admit that was the most exciting thing that had gone through my food pipe in a long time.

That was the ultimate remedy for a communication student like me after a hot, sticky and exhausting long day. It was warm and thick and it just went ahead to spark a great revolution down my throat into my tummy.

Mmhh… and sticking to sweet stuff; why don’t you try Java’s Milkshakes the next time you plan to visit. The recipe is their very own in-house and homemade specially for you-all natural ice cream.

And plus, what do you have to lose when Java is offering their celebrated milkshake in a  range of flavors including vanilla, banana, strawberry, chocolate, espresso, mocha, vanilla, pineapple and mango. Yummy!

#teamjava

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

A 3D EXPERIENCE AT IMAX-CINEMA NAIROBI

#cinema

“Wow, you have never had the 3D experience? Today your 3D ‘virginity” ends!” my pal Claudia joked when we met a fortnight ago at the IMAX Cinema halls in Nairobi’s CBD.

3^RD JUNE was her birthday and we wanted to make it a memorable day. 12.30 pm and we had our pop-corns, sodas and tickets; ready for the Godzilla in 3D movie.

The experience was memorable; so memorable that almost 2 hours; we were taken to another world. We went to the busy Tokyo Japan and back to the sandy beaches of Hawaii and other states of America on the comfortability  of our seats; with our 3D shades on.

Godzilla remains a classic masterpiece and watching it in 3D just made it even more epic and worth remembering. It is time you made  a visit to IMAZ-Cinema-don’t you think?

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

WHAT DAYSTAR CAN LEARN FROM USIU CULTURE WEEK

#CULTUREWEEK

As an events blogger, writer and one who has a few expertise up my sleeves on events; I will be honest about one thing-Daystar Nairobi campus culture week was a flop! Totally it flopped! I love seeing a great initiative trend and take hold that is why when I was invited to USIU (United States International University) Culture Week; I couldn’t refute-I had to snob Daystar’s.

Both events at these two prestigious universities were going down on the same week. The glitz? The glamour? It was there in abundance at USIU culture week. At Daystar, we lacked that and we drank our sorrows to stupor with the free Nescafe coffee. In fact, not even our students had an idea it was culture week. Moreover, Daystar culture week lacked the hype and the excitement. Why you ask? I will tell you why! It is because, we are doing the same things done by past leadership over and over again, expecting different results. Does it work that way? Hell, no!

I will give you a clear perspective on how USIU turned their earlier low hyped event into one of the best ever calendar event in their history and in my history of events blogging. Running from Tuesday to Thursday, with over 60 countries, international and continental, the cultural performances and the stars were a plenty.

Gates opened as early as 9am each day. The tents were up; and the exhibitors and sponsors pitched tent all day. Each country had to display what it has to offer. And I mean the best since there were judges, made up of a panel of students and lecturers going round to assess each culture exhibited. The after affair in each tent- music met fashion, great food and the best of the country’s culture.

Don’t even get me started on the mode of dressing. This is it; there people unlike us here in Daystar care! The students dressed to impress. They brought culture and fashion on the same pedestal. At Daystar; I found myself and a few others in our African regalia. Nobody cared to dress-up; let alone make it out the Freedom Corner for fashion week. USIU culture week went viral from the onset. Good PR! The “selfie campaign” similar to The Oscars; of the event on social media created the much needed hype and plus Nokia Lumia phones were up for grabs for the best “selfies.”

But the climax of it all was the Thursday Night concert. Coca cola brought in free sodas for everyone; a cool tent and of course Dj Joe Mfalme on the decks. Here, each country had the privilege of showcasing their best culture performance in terms of music, dance, fashion, you name it. All these for the bragging rights and for a trophy that is contested annually.

Someone told me that USIU events are always great because they have funding. I will be honest again because I had a chat with the event organizers and the funding they get from their administration is way too low to pull such an event.

I pressed on to find out how they did it. What does it take? If there is a magical formula behind the success of USIU culture week and any event for that matter; this is it; students who care, passion for what they do; a driving ethos about making the university urban positive and a better place but above all; willing sponsors who believe in an idea and are willing to partner with the student-organized event- and hence overall benefit in terms of smart and cool solutions for their businesses and a willing market amongst the students.

How can Daystar redeem herself? Well, we start now. Mr. and Miss Daystar pageant is almost here and as long as you, the Daystar student, believes in it, then we will make it a success!

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

HAS DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY LOST HER COMPASSION?

#INSTALMENTCONTROVERSY

HAS DAYSTAR UNIVERSITY LOST HER COMPASSION?

Whenever my university prays, I will invariably write about prayers. After the Athi-River incident; the university community has been on prayers. Today, I write on a sad note. Woe unto  a nation or a community that has no people to prick the conscience of the leadership-worse still whose leadership has no conscience to prick. When Daystar university’s notables and grandees put everything else on hold to pray, we must therefore, engage them on the essence of prayer. We must interrogate the manner in which they pray and the prayers they say. Can God take us seriously? This question cannot be wished away.

This week my fees were paid via installment. I handed in the bank receipt and I was told I was late for my payment and I was past the extended deadline. Hence, the university will penalize me and extra fee for the late payment.

I literally cried in that office because I saw the extant at which Daystar had gone in losing compassion. Where you would expect them to be living to the Christian values; you hear of a university that wants to penalize peasant students.

I write this because I speak of many students like me. I am student sponsored by a church based in USA and I know  it takes mercy and compassion to have people deny themselves that I may get the best of education.

Where is our outrage and the student leaders we gave the power to tell the administration we are not impressed? Someone needs to tell them that! Things are not rosy at all.

That is why I come back to the whole issue of Daystar praying! God cannot be mocked. The bottom line is that we cannot pretend about the bad services or the bad things being done, and hope that we could bribe God with a prayer.

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

THIS YEAR…2014

#VINNY’S DIARY/NOTEBOOK

 New Year Resolutions are for romantic wimps. Ok, not true. But it sounds like something you have heard a lot from different quarters. Well, I want 2014 to be my year for living, going the extra-mile and breaking my 2013 records, and achievements. Uhm, you get my point.

My head is on steroids over this list of things I want to do this year. Even though most are preposterous, some are quite attainable, but if only I overpower one beat -that insane spirit of procrastination.

Here goes. This year I want to travel down to the Coast and sneak into those sandy beaches, and also get a taste of costal music, especially Taarab and experience their culture.

I want to embrace writing more thus year. Not just through my Nairobi’s blog (Nairobi’z Blogazine); but also write more poetry and more fiction stories. I want to support a children’s home for vanity’s sake but also for philanthropy. I also want to engage more wit people and bring a great inspiration into another being. You know, make a difference?

This year I want to follow my media personality dreams; even more with a positive vigor and attitude and determination. This year I want to read more and watch less TV. I will go back and give videography a second shot. I will also take my photography seriously and capture some of the best award-winning moments for this year.

I will also make it a point to know most strangers in my life starting with the names of the guys who pick garbage ever Wednesday.

This year after volunteering with a cancer trust last year; I have to pluck up the courage to do that physical examination or prostate cancer. Then when I’m done with it, I will grow my beard in November and get also more male friends to do the same; in celebration of “movember”-the prostate cancer awareness campaign

.

Lastly, I want to read the Bible, work on my relationship with Daddy God, a new vigor t overcome my addictions and stronghold struggles; whine less to God and tell him ‘thank you” even more, because there is so (so so) much to be grateful for. Even with a receding hairline…hahahaaha!

And this year, I must join Instagram and Twitter!

By Embukane Vincent Libosso-inspired by Steve Biko of Msafiri.          

DAYSTAR STUDENTS PUT A SMILE ON THE GIRLS OF KIRIGITI REHABILITATION CENTRE

#HANDS OF COMPASSION

SATURDAY 15^TH FEBRUARY; 2014

As a writer; I will be honest- I love seeing a great initiative trend and take hold. With dust settling on the Valentine’s Day; I caught up with a bunch of like-minded Daystarians out and about to share their love also but in a different way.

Last weekend on Saturday; an initiative by Beth Muthoni;  a Public Relations major student and Joe Kareithi; an Electronic media major student; saw them rally their friends for a visit to Kirigiti Girls Rehabilitation Centre- Kiambu County.

In essence; the Centre is actually a juvenile jail for girls below the age of 18 and here they go through counseling and education plus life skills. They also learn extra skills like in tailoring or dress—making. Something to get them ahead in life once they are out and reformed; living in the society.

“I am humbled with the turnout of people and also am forever grateful to DUSA (the student leadership) for making the transport arrangements;” a belated Beth told me before we left for Kiambu.

The initiative did see students donate the much needed slippers and toiletries. At the Centre; we had the great moment as we wined and dined- also had the chance to minister the love of Jesus and hope; and even encourage the girls that this was not the end of the journey but a set-back to a major set-up and comeback.

As we left Kiambu that day; with the girls of Kirigiti all sad and waving goodbye; it hit me that there is need for such like-minded Daysatrians; the Beth Muthonis; the Kareithis and all who attended to come up with more initiatives like this for ministry.

So let us rise up by all means! It is never how big an idea is or how big the initiative sounds-but is what you make of it at the end of the day. At Kirigiti; we represented all those who had made donations and contributions and supported the cause and initiative. And that is you and me!

As an African saying goes; “whoever thinks he is too small to make an impact; has perhaps never spent a night in the company of a mosquito.”

Photo credits: Joe Kareithi and Leo 22 House of Photography.(https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.599932796750762.1073741917.440804702663573&type=3)

By Embukane Vincent Libosso.

TO DIE FOR SOMETHING…IN HONOUR OF TATA MADIBA

We buried Papa Madiba late last year about the same time as my birthday anniversary. He went as Zulu warriors in the jungle fatigued of old pranced atop a distant hill; spears and bows aloft; amid traditional dirges and hunting war songs; as men of war stood in stiff salute.

Most remarkable with the death of Tata Madiba is that we planted him in the land of his ancestors as his two lovely women bowed in respect; after slaughtering a bull and performing the rituals befitting an elder of his stature. He went like a man; this man who swore to die for an idea. This man whom I read in the annals of history books and who has forever impacted me and not just inspired me; but has inspired the whole world.

That’s a far cry from what happens around here where people die for nothing. As a former colleague of mine asked: “will KBC play martial music when you die and how many shops will close in your village when you die?”

As we speak; yes I know far too many people who die for nothing. When you are              a man; it is an honor to die protecting your wife, children or nation. But is stupid to die fighting for a sleazy politician; or to drop down ten floors because a football team lost (I did not say Man-U); or to smash your brain against the wall because you were driving and yakking on the phone; or most idiotic of all; because a woman has left you for another man.

Guys; in 2014, just in case you must die- at least die for a good reason; such as that your prize will bull died of bloat; or a jealous neighbor poisoned your big cockerel because I was mounting all the hens. Die so that people can dance in celebration; not wonder what you were thinking when you took a policeman’s wife to his bed.

-this piece is inspired by Standard newspaper’s Crazy Monday columnist; Ted Malanda- he who draws on the wisdom of his royal Wanga ancestors to try and understand a world gone mad.

By EMBUKANE VINCENT LIBOSSO.