Friday Ramblings: The One About Lost Love, Birthday & Elephants and Maybe Leaving South Korea....

Rambling is defined by Webster as:

·      passing from one topic to another

·      using or containing more words than necessary to express an idea

Reality is defined by Webster as:

·      the quality or state of being real

·      a real event, entity, or state of affairs

·      totality of real things and events

·      something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily

-Isms are just my own colloquialisms .

The One About Lost Love

“This part of the blog is about raw truths.”

— Water & Cassava: Friday Ramblings

Few months ago, I got in touch with my childhood love because of my extended Cameroonian family. We lost touch and life happens! Oh, If I only knew just how well life was about to happen for me. I was so happy to hear from him, OMG did I mention that he is based in Asia? 

“Well after talking, chatting, and chatting and more talking........”

Facebook

“I strongly believe that the creation of Facebook includes crushing your dreams and heart with a thumps up to boot! ”

He posts “I am getting married”.  I was all versions of floored. Look, I can take a punch or two because I dish out a few. However, I was all versions of floored. So, what did I do?

I $%^&* Adulted, yes Adulted. 

“A moment that requires you to Adult. Everyone born after white Micheal Jackson struggles with this. ”

— Adulted

I wrote, Omg congratulations!! Now if you know me personally, you would have read that as “#$$$%%^@@#!” …. I am not even going to say that I must have read that Facebook post 50 times in the cafe, nope.  

Wait, Can I share the Kick-you-in-the-crotch spit-on-your-neck fantastic part? I am sorry, you have never heard the term, Kick-you-in-the-crotch spit-on-your-neck?

Oh #$%^&* lucky you.

Rachel can explain it better than me...

Ross gets back home from China with his new girlfriend. Rachel is not pleased with that news. 

He got married a day before my birthday.....

Q in Robyn

You know it is a complicated hurt and it is weird and strange for a host of reasons. He is a moment in my life that I was not going through some form of trauma or exploitation. 
I was/am/WHO CARES/I DO… just felt down about it. I should also point out here, I feel very abnormal about marriage. Shit, while we are at it, I think monogamy is strange. 

BUT

My birth parents are divorced, and I am brave enough to say that holds (some) weight into why that word just bothers me. 

During my teen years, I hung out with 8 kids that only 7 came from two parent households.

Throughout undergrad, everyone I hung out with after class for extra studies…DIVORCE

My grandparents on both sides are divorced

My maternal uncles are all divorced

My paternal side all divorced….

Oh wait, myself and 6 of my 7 close high school mates also ended up getting divorces before 25. 

SO WHY THE HELL WAS I SINGING

I mean it is him. I was very much infatuated with him as a kid but getting in touch and finding out, what man he grew to be and will be...... Anyway, I dealt with this as I always deal with the bullshit of life. 

Coffee

             Chocolate,

              and Ice-cream (YES, THE FROZEN COW SNUT! OH, IT IS BAD ON THIS LEVEL).

It is bad when I go for ice-cream. On the faithful night that it was confirmed, Agent Orange would be the commander in chief of the United States, I ate Ice-Cream. It is not important to know just how much, just that I ate ice-cream. My father called like he already knew, he even asked if I ate Ice-Cream and asked, "Are you okay?”

“...WHO IS OKAY WITH AN OOMPA LOOMPA??? WHO, OMG AN OMMPA LOOMPA IS IN CHARGE OF MY BLUE PASSPORT?
”

 I am for diversity and equality, but I will not accept orange people. I do not drink but after the Facebook post, I consumed Chocolate, Coffee, and Ice-Cream together. I say no to fermented potato juice because it is bad for your liver. However, I say yes to Diabetes, who needs two legs? 

With all that sadness, I found out he ate the swine. I think I cried a bit more because on top of all of it, he ate the SWINE.  I just cannot DEAL with that piece. I have tried to process the pork eating FOLK, but I am sorry, I say no like people who refuse to go to rehab....

Amy tell these folks...

Get AMY OST now: http://po.st/AMYOST3 Listen back to 'Frank', 'Back To Black', and 'Lioness: Hidden Treasures', the Amy Winehouse albums, now: http://po.st/AmyWSpotify Get Amy Winehouse At The BBC: http://po.st/gZgwDm | Amazon http://po.st/4awZ14 The estate of Amy Winehouse is donating the record royalties it receives from the sale of this box set to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.

I am also a sneeze away from mammal eating folk. I am often asked, “OMG, WHO CAN YOU DATE?”.
I have never had a problem with pork and dating. It is simple you can eat pork, you just cannot date me. See no problem at all?
Honestly 99.9999% of people I interact with, let alone “date” do not eat pork and try to avoid meat, smoking, alcohol. 

Oh well such is life!

BUT HERE IS SOME ROXETTE TO REALLY LET YOU KNOW…IT HURTS…

Music video by Roxette performing It Must Have Been Love.

BIRTHDAYS & ELEPHANTS

I am in Thailand to research on eating bugs and why not celebrate my day of birth with my elephants.

Keeka & Lisu will serve authentic cuisine from the continent and this includes insects as well. I wanted to see how they prepare their bugs and insects. I have to say grasshoppers, crickets and silkworms will be the most delicious insects to serve. They are clean, high in protein and green friendly. I am hoping as a company we contribute to the Entomophagy economy of Africa.

“Human eating insects as food. ”

— Entomophagy

On my earth strong, I served my elephants. The logo of the company is an elephant because it symbolizes diplomacy. Why don’t you know this? The Romans, Colonialism and the B.S. I played in mud, cooked, clean and swam in the lake with the elephants.

I am not sure how that is possible because I do not swim. I see large bodies of water and I swear to you my ancestors from the Atlantic Ocean and those that were pushed into the Atlantic Ocean start telling me

 

“  My daughter you will drown”

Imagine my surprise, I was swimming on top of the elephant. Then again, my maternal roots claim, we are elephants and mermaids as well. The caretakers kept saying, the elephants really like you. Elephants are majestic, loving, calm and adorable. They are vegetarians, they spend 4 hours sleeping and the rest eating and playing in water or mud.

However for self- defense, make no mistake, they will stomp you to death. I should add that this is a great metaphor for me.

Anyway, I remember my last birthday just saying over and over, I will start this company. I will go to South Korea because after all…

“ I am always Graceful as the Giraffe, Diplomatic as the Elephant, and Deadly as an Octopus.”

— Behind Water & Cassava

.... BACK TO THE BUSINESS...THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS

LEAVING SOUTH KOREA??

“Get this , Get this, I get this, I get this
Get this, Get this, I get this, I get this”

— I am ready to Blow

Playlist Best of DAWN https://goo.gl/Xxs7TV Subscribe for updates https://goo.gl/v4P2gF From the critically acclaimed album, Blackheart: http://smarturl.it/DRBH Music video for Blow performed by DAWN. Site: http://dawnrichard.net/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/DawnRichard Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DawnRichard Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dawn_richard Instagram: http://instagram.com/dawnrichard Tumblr: http://dawnrichard.tumblr.com Director - Monty Marsh Producer - Monty Marsh Cinematographer & Editor - Cody Cuellar Production - Guerilla Filmworx Choreographer - Anthony "AJ" Jackson Copyright (C) 2014 Our Dawn Publishing .

Okay so wow!! So much has happened, and I am not sure on the terms “good” or “bad”, but here is what you missed so far.

I attended the Global Women’s Forum in Busan. I met the woman responsible for why Seoul even got the opportunity to host the Olympics in the first place. I mean you speak of power and influence, it was in this room. I was put in a five-star hotel to encourage young ladies to go for their dreams and peruse their interest with vigor. I was shocked that I was considered. I mean a five-star hotel to work in, to go ask for driving directions but to stay in one??? The breakfast was so good. I stuffed my bag with 10 tangerines and that was dinner.

---

the hits just keep coming...

February 22nd, I must find a new place because my lease is up! I need a place to stay if I am going to stay in Seoul.  I do not see that happening because I have no funds. This is a startup by just one person. While I can see that things are moving in some ways, I also feel that I am quite behind in many ways.

Okay, let us recap

First two events, I am a guest.

Third, I am a guest speaker. My hotel is paid for and I am offered a kitchen for my gastro series by the organizer. I can only pursue this project, if I have a place to stay.

Fourth event-My transportation, food and hotel are paid for.

Maybe, my fifth will be a contract? I have not yet secured a contract for ESE & SEGYE.

I have to set up a calendar for next year and this must include: ESE & SEGYE, WATER & CASSAVA, KEEKA & LISU AND THE COCOYAMS &

I need to make money quickly. I have no money and dreams do not feed you as much as they starve you. I am pretty sure I wear a U.S size 1 / 2 … I came in to Seoul a 2/4.

I also need to buckle down on my position as Chair of Public Health, Policy & Administration with Bright Light Projects this includes a trip to Sierra Leone.

PLAN A
I stay in Korea, live on rice and go through visa travels and stay in a hostel.

PLAN B (MOVE TO THE U.S)
I am not sure just how to even deal with moving back to the states. I mean, I need a car and OMGGG

1.       Move to Alaska, but job openings??? Pay??

2.       Texas- I go back to working for Health & Human Services and I am not sure that is even an option.

3.       New York- I do not need a car, I could crash with Mara-Mara but job searches in NYC?

4.       California-Public Transportation exist, I could stay with Aunt Yvette or Bernice?? The job market is not easy in California, I mean it is worse than the other mentioned states.

PLAN C
I move back to the E.U. take more school loans for my PhD. I think England or Netherlands?

PLAN D

“Go to Saudi Arabia and look for one of those princes and tell them I will be wife number 4. I will have to tell Hazim and Jameel I just cannot be number 4. #Alhamdulillah”

I am still grateful no matter how this blows though. I will submit and like Buddah. I will go through my transformation with tears and take my welt as I did as a kid. I am still here though. 

See you next Friday Ramblings, Let us hope I can pay rent as well :(

Public Health Wednesdays (PHW)- Africa & Asia Health Check

AFRICA

MALI

This picture represents the cholera outbreak in 1854 and John Snow, the father of modern epidemiology, was able to trace the source and help contain the epidemic.

“Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae”

— CDC (Centers for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

I felt like I wanted Death after contracting Cholera, you look like Death. 

University of Maryland School of Medicine has data to support that giving a stronger single dose of the cholera live oral vaccine can be an effective tool in controlling outbreaks. Normally patients take two doses (PAINFUL DOSES). Mali helped with this research, the 150 Malian participants are key to this new breakthrough in defeating Cholera. Hopefully we do not have a repeat of the events that occurred in the Philippines. The Vaccination was developed by UMSOM's Center for Vaccine Development (CVD) and licensed and manufactured by PaxVax.

GHANA

JOHNSON & JOHNSON

Johnson & Johnson teamed up with GHANA AIDS, Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana, and local community partners to provide education and testing for the local community of Koforidua a few days ago. 

JOHNSON & JOHNSON SOFT POWER

Medical Diplomacy(Health Diplomacy) can be so conviencing and seductive. A blind eye would be so thrilled that a multinational coporations paused for a day in December to help with HIV Testing, Education and Wrap around services.  Can you imagine that, HIV/AIDS awareness in December? 

“PAGING JOHNSON & JOHNSON: YOU STILL HAVE A BABY POWDER PROBLEM .....”

— California resident Eva Echeverria’s ovarian cancer, Her $417 million that you owe her, The 4,800 related lawsuits and the extra$300 million you still owe folk in Missouri

Their presence was really to soften the questions and doubts for the clinical study and testing of the new HIV global vaccine.  Yup, A new HIV global vaccine that included 2,600 women from South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.

Corporations also gain from Soft Power. Soft Power is not just reserved for states in International Relations. Nike continues to make you “Do It”.  This begs the question….

“What the hell are you doing? Why the hell, are you not DOING IT? Nike enjoys $ 30.6 billion in revenue by selling the idea of DOING IT”

— Water & Cassava

African States do not seem to understand that Medical Diplomacy(Health Diplomacy) from International Corporations that come from Global North spaces helps to feed in to the narratives of helping the “Other”.  The narratives of the “other” in Global health kills more people than the disease.  After all the testing, they sell it back to Africa  states making billions in profit. I am not sure why noone finds capitalism and medical diplomacy to be disturbing. 
 

“ Remember our message for PHWs is proactive and not reactive to wellness, right?”

— Water & Cassava

Vaccine epidemiology in Africa must be conducted by Africans. Partipants from African countries in terms of research does not count as full contribution to solving the problem. I am arguing that everything that goes into a Research center for Vaccine epidemiology including the building should be by Africans.  Africans must start to invest heavily into education and reserach towards public health matters that impact their spaces. 

Watch the video of my husband explaining this concept. He was brutally taking away from the community by savage uncivilized barbarians that were nothing but thugs and cowards. I would also like to add that the savage creatures that assassinated my belated husband, American Freedom Fighter/Activist/Political Theorist/Revolutionary/Deputy Chairman of the Black Panther Party (Chicago Chapter) was the Chicago Police Department. He was resisting arrest asleep in bed with his child and partner.

Hampton founded the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party in November 1968 where he immediately established a community service program. This included the provision of free breakfasts for schoolchildren and a medical clinic that did not charge patients for treatment. Hampton also taught political education classes and instigated a community control of police.

WHO REPORT -AFRICA

Uganda can celebrate- No more Marburg virus

Ghana has the case of the H1N1 Flu

South Africa is still trying to sort out Listeriosis 

Zambia has a case of Cholera

Senegal has Dengue fever

ASIA

SPERM STRUGGLES IN CHINA AND INDIA

Last Public Health Wednesday, we mentioned the severity of Air polltuion and brain developement for Southeast Asian infants. Recent reports show that the air pollution in China and India are affecting the quality of sperm for men in the region.
 

BANGLADESH

I am not sure why this is not reported. I do know if there is drama with: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh it will be reported. 

The People's Republic of Bangladesh, UNICEF, WHO, GAVI ( Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and the Vaccine Alliance launched a DTAP childhood immunization campaign for all Rohingya children below 6 years of age living on the Myanmar border.

Childhood Immunizations

SOUTHEAST ASIA

Apparently there is Super Malaria. I swear no one told me of a weak malaria, medium strength malaria and regular malaria. I have suffered from regular malaria and that is just pure hell. I mean you feel like death. 

THIS IS THE DYING PART I WAS TRYING TO MAKE YOU UNDERSTAND.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I PRESENT TO YOU THE EVIL KNOWN AS THE ANOPHELES MOSQUITO. SHE GIVES YOU MALARIA. 

“Female mosquitoes bit you not males. Males are vegetarians. ”

— Water & Cassava

Quinine is BITTER AND NASTYYYY.

The Supermalaria parasite appears to originate from Southeast Asia and it is only a matter of time before Africa gets Supermalaria. This strand is resistant to all current treatment.

UPDATE ON THE PHILIPPINES 

Last week, we reported that the Philippines halted the Dengue Fever vaccination Dengvaxia. The Ministry of Health, will take Sanofi to court for $59 million because Sanofi was not honest about the side effects.

Oh, The real drama is that former President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Cojuangco Aquino II received an invitation from the Senate to attend the next hearing on the vaccine. It was his administration, his okay for Sanofi to carry out the vaccinations and his mess.

           CHINA AND ZAMBIA                    ANYTIME YOU NEED A FRIEND...

Mariah Carey's official music video for 'Anytime You Need A Friend'. Click to listen to Mariah Carey on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/MariahCareySpotify?IQid=MCareyAYNF As featured on Greatest Hits.

So in Africa & Asian Global Health coporation, China will help construct a national public health laboratory in Zambia. Let us wait and see just how this works. Bravo to Zambia for appreciating the severity of their public health issues. 

Before we go, on the behalf of ESE & SEGYE, Water & Cassava, Keeka & Lisu and The Cocoyams & would like you to honor and observe December 12th as Universal Health Coverage Day. 

However, the conversation continues in Tokyo, Japan. The city will host the forum targeting this issue for the entire week of Dec 12th- Dec 15th with the Government of Japan, World Bank, World Health Organization, UNICEF, UHC2030 and JICA as hosts.

See you next PHW!

Out of the Office- 12/7- 12/9

Public Health Wednesdays(PHW): Health Check in Africa & Asia

ASIA

The Philippines

My fav. spot might be Negros :)

DENGUE FEVER

French Pharmaceutical Giant Sanofi got some bad news this week. Their Dengvaxia vaccine aimed at preventing dengue fever worsen symptoms for patients who had never been infected with the mosquito-borne virus. Effective immediately, The Philippines has suspended sales and distribution of the Dengvaxia vaccine.

Did I forget to mention, 733,000 children received the vaccination as far back as April 2016??
 

SOUTHEAST ASIA- AIR POLLUTION 

Recent report from UNICEF on living conditions in South Asia reveal that air pollution in South Asia causes risk to brain development for 12.2 million children below one.

TAIWAN

Unfortunately for Taiwan, it ranks number 1 in cancer related death in the Asia Pacific region. The other countries that follow on the list are Singapore, Australia, and China. Lung and Liver cancer are reported to be the top two cancers in Taiwan. 

AFRICA

GHANA

The Ghanaian e-health startup Eiko health has launched Kenko Doctor, a mobile app that allows patients to book appointments with doctors. It should be available in 2018, read more and enjoy the short video.

Uploaded by Kenko Doctor on 2017-05-14.

SOUTH AFRICA- PLEASE WASH YOUR HANDS!

The Health Minister of South Africa, Aaron Motsoaledi has confirmed 557 of listeriosis and 36 people have died.

UGANDA- THE CASE OF JUST A LITTLE MORPHINE

“Trust in me
Trust in me
Put all your trust in me
She’s doin’ morphine
Hoo!”

— KING OF POP, NO ELVIS HERE, MICHAEL J JACKSON

“Public Health is heavy!!!
We must laugh, cry, scream, curse and punch someone!!!
BUT
WE GET WELL NOT ILL”

— Water & Cassava

1800'S Kit that users kept for personal use

Nomally this would be my argument in the United States

“Is Pain a symptom or disease?”

— Privilege Pain free people

THREE YEARS AGO..

The world's seven richest countries consume 84 percent of the world's supply of legal opiates. But in the developing world, just eight percent of patients who need medical morphine have access. Medical morphine costs about two dollars a week per patient.

I understand the need to make the pain stop, in addition to arthritis, I also have the physical condition of endometriosis. I have had to take morphine shots because of endometriosis. I have suffered from third degree burns from placing hot water bottles and pads on my abdomen just to get any forms of relief. I frequented my local emergency clinic so much that, I had my own thick binder just waiting for my screams and anguish. 

Uganda is taking a bold approach to helping terminally ill patients and perharps euthanasia can also be part of this discussion. Uganda has worked on crafting policies that range from access to the drug, education for both patients and medical staff and choosing a model of care that is proper for Ugandan people.

The article below states that 11% of the Uganda population are buying liquid forms of Morphine for pain control. 

Pain relief and treatment is a human universal right. I hope you know and understand your 30 human universal rights, below is an illustrated book from the United Nations

See you next PHW

Cassava Tuesdays: Cape Verde

We will be back next Cassava Tuesday!

Our first Lusophone Country for Cassava Tuesdays will be Cape Verde. There is a reason for the use of Cape Verde and Cabo Verde.... Hrrrggggh, What is in a name? We will discuss next time!

Cape Verde has no Soft Power but there is potential to build on a brand thanks to their Blue Economy.

Are you aware that Cape Verde has the second-best education system in Africa?
 

We will start with Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral and end with the branding possibilities for this island country. 

In the meantime, please enjoy the legendary Barefoot Diva, Cesária Évo from Cape Verde

Cesária Évora - Sodade Official music video - corrected and better HD sound