I apologize for missing the mark this week and not
publishing on Monday, but it completely skipped my mind. Last week was a bit of a bust. When I got back from London I was feeling a
little run down. As soon as the scratchy
throat started I knew I was doomed. This
sickness was more around my sinuses than down in my chest or up in my
head. I made it to work Tuesday, but I
didn’t feel like myself. I felt like I
was swimming through sludge. That
statement would actually mean more if I could actually swim. LOL. I know, I know…43 years old and I can’t
swim. It really wasn’t a priority
growing up in the inner city of Philadelphia.
Forgive me.
As the day went on and I started playing catch-up, (you know
the drill… 50 million emails, everyone staying at your desk with all of the
nonsense they’ve been holding onto the entire time you were gone), my head
started to feel like a balloon.
Something told me the dreaded sinus cold was coming. At first my reaction was one of a little
panic. The idea of being sick in Kenya
made me nervous. Even when my pressure
medicine was being held hostage in Kenya Customs, there was a quiet panic going
on behind the scenes. At this point I
still had hope it would pass. I made it
through the rest of the day, but things were not looking good.
I barely slept a wink that night and the balloon around my
sinuses grew. I made it into work that
day, but I knew it would be the last time that week. The dreaded drip started. I was using tissue provided by my employees
like crazy. By the way, these women have
tissues and baby wipes available at a moment’s notice. I questioned it when I first got here, but
now that I see the amount of dust and dirt that flies around, I don’t say a
word. Their tissues were a lifesaver at
that point. But, you know it’s time to
go home when you want to roll up the tissue and stick it in the nostril you can
no longer breathe through. LOL.
I decided I would not gross my employees or coworkers out by
returning to the office the next day. EVERYBODY
SHOULD BE SO CONSIDERATE. That’s for all
of you people who drag into work, sneezing, sniffling and dripping all over you
colleagues. It’s nasty! Stay home!
No one thinks of your dedication when you sneeze all over them spreading
your germs. They think of how trifling
you are for bringing your behind to work while you are sick. Okay, I have always wanted to say that to an
audience, because I think people in the business world need to hear it. We have the Internet now and most employers
will allow you to connect from home, so give us a break and keep your germs at
home. J
Whew!! I feel better that I got that off my chest.
Anyway, I dragged myself home that day determined to stay in
the house until the cold passed. On the
way home I had a moment of panic when I thought I didn’t have any Nyquil. Now you know Nyquil is the best cold medicine
ever invented. A good night sleep is all
but guaranteed once you take it. Well,
there’s no Nyquil in Kenya!! Luckily, I
was thrilled to find that I had one package of Nyquil in my pharmacy stash in
the apartment. It was just enough to see
me through this cold.
 |
| Okay, our muling isn't this bad. LOL |
I realized I would have to have someone ‘mule’ more Nyquil
across the border once I got better.
Yes, I used the term ‘mule.’ It
is a term I learned from Master Pu that describes what ex pats have others do
to get unavailable contraband (Nyquil) into third world countries where it’s
not available. It is similar to its
cousin in the drug trafficking world, but the consequences are not as dire. LOL
Contraband can be can be a number of things, Excedrin, American
Sweet Potatoes/Yams, Aunt Jemina Pancake mix, Sensodyne
toothpaste and roll-on deodorant. Now
the last item just doesn’t sit well with me, I can’t see myself muling
deodorant for someone. It’s amazing what
people will ask you to mule when they find out you are going to a western
country. After a while, expats find themselves
asking people what they need when they are going back to ‘civilization.’ Oh man, I could have written a whole blog on
muling! LOL.
Guess who the BIGGEST muler is? Master Pu of course! He is indignant about his muling. His wife has him bringing all kinds of stuff
across borders including full meals. LOL.
He is at the point where he dares the border official to say anything. LOL. They
know him now. Okay, I’m done. But, if anybody can find a way to get
American Sweet Potatoes or Yams into Nairobi for me, please do. You all will become mulers if you come to
visit me, so put your game face on. LOL.
Anywho, I’m back at work now and feeling well. Thanks for continuing to tune in each
week. Don’t forget to sign up as a
follower! I’m having the time of my life
even when I’m sick. God is good, all of the time!
Asante Sana,
Della Rochelle
Copyright © 2011 by Della Rochelle Williams
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