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Friday Ramblings: The One About, OMG I am seriously sick here, Living Inconvieniences, What now?
Friday Ramblings: The One About OMG I am seriously sick here, Living Inconveniences, What now?
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 .
OMG I am Seriously Sick.....
I entered the New Year sick and feeling all versions of gross. I still have cold, a disgusting version of the cold. My nose is blocked, I have a sore throat and I felt like this feeling of the clip below.
My nose, head and my bloody nose was draining of mucus. So, I caved and walked to the pharmacist with one nostril capable of breathing, sounding like a goat… I begged for medicine. oh, how I miss my juicer!...
“Just some ginger, garlic, lemon, and cayenne pepper …..”
The pharmacist instructed me to eat some food before I take the medicine. I am not sure how to say this calmly, MY THROAT WAS HURTING…..
I had three slices of French bread and popped those pills. Oh, but the side-effects…... I cannot express how high and dazed I felt. I was completly out of my ever-loving mind.
Okay, I will be honest, I literally was .....
“Oh God are you there? Where is my Dad and am I Dying?? I did have a craving for Whole Foods fresh cut fruit, Kombucha and some butternut squash with roasted Salmon maybe some Gelato Ice cream”
This was not the High, I experienced
This was the kind of High, I experienced
Look, I crashed around 4pm one day and woke up 9am the next day. So, I did reach out to my father, who was so kind to remind me that “yes that’s why they call them drugs”. Over the counter medicine, I THINK NOT….
I am grateful for mates that checked up on me and even the one that laughed asking, Fatimaah you never got high huh? I told him, my father simply told me try it and see. I did not want to meet my maker anytime soon, so I never tried Mary Jane, even in college. Oh, I also woke up needing a good 5 minutes. Five minutes to realize, What Country was I in? Again, I simply wanted Whole Foods.
THIS IS HEAVEN FROM WHOLE FOODS
My happy place
This is my local Whole Foods Market in Houston, Texas
Living Inconveniences
I need to move out by February 16th and I can not tell you how stressed I feel. I mean my back hurts; my head feels heavy. It is the 5th day of the year, I simply refuse to dwell on this. I am grateful that right now I have shelter.
What Now?
I have narrowed it to three universities in the E.U and may be 4 in the U.K? I must wait till the 10th on the U.K confirmation. I am working on the presumption that I must leave Seoul. Again, it is day 5 of the new year, I am just grateful. I am also going to bed, but I will stop and get cookies. I will have 4 White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies.
I will also listen to this very loudly
See you next Friday Rambling!
Public Health Wednesdays (PHW)- Africa & Asia Health Check
Join us at Water & Cassva in observing Cervical Health Awareness Month
Actress Cote de Pablo talks about her own cervical cancer scare and shares advice for other women. Comments on this video are allowed in accordance with our comment policy: cdc.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/CommentPolicy.html This video can also be viewed at cdc.gov/wcms/videos/low-res/NCCDPHP/2015/cote_video_english_60_925629.mp4
This public service announcement encourages women to learn the symptoms of gynecologic cancer and pay attention to what their bodies are telling them. Comments on this video are allowed in accordance with our comment policy: cdc.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/CommentPolicy.html This video can also be viewed at cdc.gov/wcms/videos/low-res/NCCDPHP/2015/ayl_video_english_30_925657.mp4
Hello, World!
WHO WEEKLY REPORT-AFRICA
Zambia ended the year fighting Cholera. South Africa is still struggling with Listeriosis .
“ Botswana, Congo, Gabon, Eritrea, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and Algeria ended 2017, with no PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES. ”
RWANDA AND TANZANIA-DRONE TECHNOLOGY "UBER-ING BLOOD"
Both countries start 2018 with applying new technology towards healthcare access for all. Drone deliveries of blood to hospitals within the network are 45 minutes compared to the normal 4 hours. Zipline International has partnered with Tanzania to deliver 2,000 lifesaving deliveries to over 1,000 health facilities, that is about 10 million people.
To know more about Zipline International
ASIA
MALAYSIA AND A CASE OF MERS-CoV
Malaysia started 2018 with the case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Mers-CoV). A man returning from Saudi Arabia tested postive for the virus, he was reported to be in stable condition.
“Sexual Health is part of Public Health. ”
THAILAND- WHITE PENIS ENVY
The first read is comical but then it gets sad. I mean of all the needs in Thailand, A White Penis? Questions come to mind such as: What can a white penis do that a colored penis cannot carry out? Then you must go back to the space of Orientalism!
“What power does the white penis hold in global south spaces?”
It is troublesome that a Thai Penis does not feel as loved compared to a White Penis. But that there is a technology to whiten the penis, I just kept saying......
does the asian penis speak?
Therefore, we need more Sex Therapist of Color from Asian spaces and African spaces as well. There is an obvious need to deconstruct the Asian Penis and this platform can only go so far into the Orientalism stereotypes that have historically hunted Asian men.
However behind this blog, is a by-product of the West. I can say, Asian men are often viewed through western media has either the Geek or Kung Fu hero. In addition, I am not so sure on just how this happened, but western media has desexualized Asian men.
Asian Media has also fueled this complex of whiteness in their spaces as well. Hallyu to Bollywood, we have a colored problem and we need to talk.
FRANTZ FANON NEEDS YOU TO KNOW
Post Colonial Theorist, Psychiatrist Frantz Fanon.
Frantz Fanon spoke of this penis issue and complexes in White Society. Brother Frantz expressed that white men see not a black man but a black penis. There is nothing more to the Black man just a penis. I am afraid with our Asian brothers, there is no penis. Penis is only visible if it is white.
Seriously love your sexual organs as they are, good grief we need to decolonize our beds as well!
To read more about Brother Frantz and the Black Penis in Society "Black Skin, White Masks"
To read more on this article on Whitening of the penis in Thailand.
To learn more on Asian Sexuality and Narratives from an Academic lens, check out The Intersections Journal: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific.
To learn more on Black Sexual Narratives from an Academic lens, check out the Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships.
See you next PHW!
Cassava Tuesdays: Where is Morna in the Cabo Verde Brand?
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“The thread to the fibers of the Green Cape
The heart beat of cape verdean people ”
SIDE BAR #1
My younger years, this was the flag of Cabo Verde. The current flag came to be in 1992 but this flag below shares the familiar colors we associate with Pan African Colors.
Pan-Nationalism is quite a common theme throughout Africa. Western Asia and North Africa States sometimes labeled as Pan-Arab States share similar flag colors. Think of the following countries and the colors of their flags: - Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and United Arab Emirates.
the current flag of cabo verde
“The (10)gold stars represent the (10) islands of the country.
Dark blue represents the Atlantic Ocean
The Red Stripe - Represents the road to economic progress.”
“ On a scale of 0 (Highly Corrupt), 100 (Very Clean)
Cape Verde scores 59 ”
Capital: Praia
Languages Spoken: Portuguese, Creole
Religion: Christianity, Islam(Very small minority)
Population: 539,560
Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva
President Jorge Carlos Fonseca
“Depending on which Island, Self- Identity/Cultural Identity can be tricky. The countries listed below influence Identity Politics and Cultural Hertiage:
Brazil
Portugal
United States
Netherlands”
“Cabo Verde scores 56.24/100 on the ease of doing business.
”
Cape Verde currency...Does that face look familiar??? Look Below.... She sang with no shoes in solidaritary of poor women that could not afford shoes.
“Do you know your phones?
Lusophone- Portuguese
Arabophone-Arabic
Francophone- French
Anglophone-English
Hispaniphone-Spanish
Rusophone-Russian”
THE PAST
Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral, (G.O.A.T). (1924-1973)
OUR BROTHER IS ALWAYS OUR BROTHER
Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral, we shall call him (Grande Irmao) of African Lusophone spaces. He is credited to be the architect of freeing Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde from Portugal. He founded and lead the organization, Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC). This is the reason for the still close relationship between Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. Both countries still consider each other as brother countries because of their joint colonial past in fighting for independence. He is also one of the founding fathers of the Angolan political party, MPLA (Movimento Popular Libertação de Angola). I hope to touch on the other founder Agostinho Neto on another Cassava Tuesday for my take on Angola. All two were close to Mozambique’s Eduardo Mondlane a force to be reckoned with on his own right. Our three musketeers were mates at the University of Lisbon. All three men are very important to the Lusophone political narratives in Africa.
Unfortunately, as most of our stories go with fighters of colonialism in Africa, Mr. Lopes was murdered by some disgruntled PAIGC members with the help of the Portuguese police and never lived to see an independent Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde. I should note that American Intelligence deny any intervention of the Portuguese and claim that this as an issue of Creoles(Mulattos) not wanting him to be leader of the party and president of the country.
“Our Lusophony brothers and sisters are passionate about him as the Francophones feel about Patrice Lumumba and Thomas Sankara. The Anglophones on Steven Biko and Kwame Nkrumah. The Arabophone on Gamal Hussein.
All those phones in a sentence.. go use a phone today..”
A song for our Lusophony friends by the Cape Verdean Queen of Morna, Cesaria Evora. That is the lady on the currency above this text. This song could be an ode to Angola during the time of civil war about still seeing and loving the beauty of Angola. This song also has some Cape Verdean Creole, which makes it a bit difficult to translate. It is still such a beautiful song, I hope you enjoy.
COUNTRY BRANDING EXAMPLES
A country that is: Clean, Modern, Secure, (Outside)
Safe/Attractive Airline Carrier, Culturally Seductive, Positive Reputation and Behavior (Inside)
Benefits: Media and Tourists love you and it feels like this
Uploaded by Be_ Gentel on 2016-04-03.
Let's take a look at the Republic of Mauritius through the lenses of Air Mauritius
Description
now
A country that is: In-War, Transitioning out of War, High Crime, Severe Poverty(Outside)
Corruption, Citizens abuse Tourists, Poor or Inadequate Infrastructure (Inside)
Expectations: No Tourists and the Media will show more of this below.
Let's look at Libya through Libyan Airlines just in case the media is biased.
أكثر من نصف قرن من العطاء ،، ليس الافضل و لكن من هنا البداية نحو الأفضل ..
Do you see yourself excited for that trip to Tripoli? Libya or Mauritius?
“Cape Verde Scores
72.2- Overall Governance Score
76.1-Safety & Rule of Law
78.0- Participation & Human Rights
60.6-Sustainable Economic Opportunity
74.0-Human Development”
cape verde or cabo verde or green cape or .......
This is the importance for branding your country correctly. This issue was so important that the country asked the United Nations to formally recognize a name change to Cabo Verde.
WHERE IS THE MORNA IN BRANDING?
There is something missing in the brand of Cabo Verde. There are tools in their branding box, but the government is not investing in the box to promote the brand effectively. We will go through problems and opportunities for Cabo Verde in this section.
The lack of appreciation towards country branding and working on investments that support the brand of the country thoroughly is the norm with some African countries. This is not to bash our Cape Verdean friends, few African countries truly invest in their brand and even their soft power, which we refer here to as Cassava Diplomacy. Interesting enough, despite the lack of investing in infrastructure that supports brands and soft tools, there are no issues with enjoying tools and brands from China and from former colonial countries.
Branding examples and Soft Tools IN AFRICAN SPACES
- My use of all those phones
- Francophone countries in Africa that still view boulangeries to be of upper class but the local bakery to be for the locals. They can say Merci to Napoleon, his goal of francophonising the world down to cuisine is still effective.
- Lusophones are you Latin, Hispanic or Lusitanic? Please do not bring this up among people who identify as Lusophone unless you want to feel all their passion and love for all that is Portuguese. Please take my word for this, speaking to Mozambicans, Angolans, Brazilians you shall just be passion-ed to death.
- The Anglophones in Africa proudly say: My English name is…
BRANDING PROBLEM #1
COUNTRY CARRIER (NO LONGER AVAILABLE AS OF 3/18)
As discussed earlier with our Cassava Tuesday entries, part of the country brand must include a country carrier. The role of a country carrier is not just for quick safe transportation but to sell the country. This separates countries that are Developed, Underdeveloped and “the other”.
Inflight Magazines and Infight Entertainment highlight key players and areas of your destination. They are purposely designed to promote: Investment Opportunities, Culture, and Tourism, they are tools found in the country brand box. In this age of International Relations or state play, never forget that if the global community does not eat like you, drink like you, watch your entertainment, vacation with you, wear you as fashion. You do not matter, you are other and fair game to push other states’ soft tools or brand.
TACV Cabo Verde Airline is the country carrier of Cabo Verde but have you seen this airline before? They fly to ten destinations in North America, South America, and Europe, still does not ring a bell?
You can have a country carrier but if you do not market your brand effectively, you might as well not have one. It becomes an expense and not an asset for the country brand. Speaking of expenses, as of last year Loftleidir Icelandic will take over all marketing and business operations as the new strategic management partner of TACV. In return Loftleidir Icelandic, will have “right of first refusal” to own majority stake in TACV and Cabo Verde will be a minority holder. TACV is currently in the red of about $100 +million and as of last month, Cape Verde has decided to privatize the airline by March 2018.
SIDEBAR #2: COOL NORTH DIPLOMACY
Icelandair Group owns Loftleidir Icelandic which is the largest corporation in Iceland. So, let us say Thank you to Cabo Verde for pushing the country brand of Iceland. One country's lack of understanding in branding is another's soft power. In case you were curious, the Nordic country is part of a collective in diplomacy known as Cool North Diplomacy.
OPPORTUNITY #1
BLUE TOURISM- ACTIVE SPORTS TOURISM
At the coast of west Africa, there is a serious business of fun in the sun. From nearly nothing just a few years ago, water sports have taken off in Cape Verde. It's even been named one of the world's best places to surf. Now the government is trying to catch the wave.
“Cabo Verde’s (Cape Verde’s) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 4.9% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2017, compared to 3.0% in the previous quarter”
OPPORTUNITY #2
Attracting new markets and adding variety to its tourism package -- that is what Cape Verde chamber of tourism believes can help boost an already lucrative sector. Tourism is the highest foreign exchange earner in the country, which is made up of 10 islands off the West African coast.
“More Cape Verde Citizens stay in Brazil, Portugal, United States and Netherlands”
BRANDING PROBLEM #2-HUMAN CAPITAL FIGHT
Cape Verde is a collection of 12 islands off the coast of North-west Africa. Here, foreigners outnumber locals, and 9 percent of the country's GDP comes from expatriates. Cape Verde has few natural resources, little arable land and is prone to drought - just some of the reasons why many residents are desperate to move to greener pastures.
OPPORTUNITY #3- NEIGHBOR APPEAL
The Ghanian Company, Trasacco group purchased land in Sal Island for the purpose of tomato production.
““We expect an investment of approximately 140 million euros, employing 3,600 workers, providing housing for most of them, to export approximately 150,000 tons of tomato per year, worth approximately 300 million euros”
OPPORTUNITY #4- GLOBAL APPEAL
“Tourisim accounted for 44 % of the GDP in 2016.”
The country will exempt all E.U citizens from visas to visit the country in hopes to boost tourism by 7%. This is excellent in promoting the brand because European tourist make for a huge chunk of visitors. It would be much better if this was extended to all African states, like other African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, and the island country of Seychelles dropping visa requirements for other African countries. Global Appeal is only believable if your neighbors do the boasting for your brand.
SIDEBAR #3: THE CASE OF CHINA
The “Belt and Road” Initiative is about China Soft Power in African Spaces. This is not about economic and social development for Cabo Verde. This is China playing the game of Power and Engagement. Be CAUTIOUS of state to state “friendship” in which one state has HARD AND SOFT POWER. Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton called this Smart Power, that was the approach of Uncle Sam’s interaction with China during her term.
China is playing and Cabo Verde is getting played, you would have to go back on our MulDay entry on Africa Blue Economics and Overfishing to understand this piece.
Cape Verde's leaders said they support the China-proposed Belt and Road initiative during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's trip. Both countries plan to deepen bilateral cooperation. Wang Yi said Cape Verde is one of China's most important partners in Africa -- and that their bilateral friendship sets an example for large and small countries on mutual respect and treating each other equally.
The Brand of Cabo Verde must invest and work on diversifying the economy and even focusing on entrepreneurship.
Institute of Surfing-Cabo Verde, Do not laugh at me. There is a Cannabis University in the states making millions in revenue. To know more about Oaksterdam University and their subjects that include Business Courses, Cannabis Laws and Raising the best bud
Europe makes up for the largest trading partner and foreign investment for Cabo Verde. This is highly problematic and feeds into the poverty rate of the country. Cabo Verde needs to work with more African countries in this area not Europe. Reach out to Mauritius perhaps?
We shall leave you with the Princess of Morna, see you next Cassava Tuesday!
MULDAY MONDAYS: WATERPLOMACY-TURKEY TO AFRICA & WATER SCARCITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
TURKEY'S SOFT POWER IN AFRICA:- WATERPLOMACY AND SO MUCH MORE
“Waterplomacy: The use of water as a tool in diplomacy. ”
“Santa Clause, Father Christmas or St. Nicholas is not from the North Pole. Our Brother is from Turkey.
Stop leaving him cookies, leave him some Turkish Delights or Keebabs
HO! HO! HO! ”
Get a Turk in your life so you can find an Auntie. All shall be right in your life.
“Turkish Delight also known as DRUGS, you cannot stop with just one. On a Turkish Airlines heading to Morocco, I asked four times for just a bit more. The flight attendant gave me the whole box, and everyone laughed at me. Listen, I ate that whole box from London to Morocco and I did not share with my neighbors that found my addiction to be funny. #Haters ”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
The Republic of Turkey.
“Did you know in 2016, Turkey ranked second for donor countries providing humanitarian assistance?”
TURKEY MAKING THE WORLD GREAT AGAIN!!! SOMEONE SHOULD TELL THE FOLKS IN D.C WITHOUT THE STATES, THESE STATES IN THE GLOBAL SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD.
President Erdoğan of Turkey made more visits to Africa in 2017, than any other head of state. The relationship between Turkey and Africa goes back to the Ottoman Empire Era. Turkey’s IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has dug drinking water wells in Somalia for the consumption of 20,000 people daily. In addition to water, Turkey has built schools, hospitals and roads in the country of Somalia.
“The Ottoman Empire ruled parts of North Africa for over five centuries”
President Erdogan is very vocal of the exploitation of Africa and the role colonialism played in destabilizing African states. This is the seduction of Soft Power, you must have policies and a culture that is attractive to folk. On that culture piece, never forget that Intercultural Relations is the thread that holds the cloth of International Relations.
““We see that the future is in Africa. We cannot put this future aside, we cannot miss it. We didn’t come here with colonial plans. Our history does not have any trace of imperialism. Our sole aim, which I also told the Chadian President, is to ensure that Africa can stand on its own two feet.””
what does turkey get for such SOFT efforts AND BOLD STATEMENTS?
The Jeopardy Theme.
somalia (MILITARY POLICIES)
Turkey will be joining the United States, U.A.E in having its biggest overseas military base in Mogadishu, Somalia. This base cost our Turk friends a delightful $50 million.
CHAD (ECONOMIC POLICIES)
Several trade deals and agreements are signed between Turkey and Chad, including technical development, investment and the fight against terror. TRT World's Kim Vinnell reports.
TURKEY & SUDAN WATERPLOMACY
(6 YEARS AGO-"CULTURAL VALUES")
Turkey supports Sudan's water development projects. The Turkish government has donated over US$3.5 million for implementing more modern water technologies to help provide drinking water to the people of Sudan. With the funds going toward the construction of over 40 wells throughout eight states, the project is being implemented by the Africa City of Technology together with the Turkish Development and Cooperation Foundation and Turkish Development Bank.
TURKEY & SUDAN (PRESENT)
-SOFT POWER FROM TURKEY TO AFRICA
Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erodogan, is in Sudan. He arrived in Khartoum on Sunday. It's the first time a Turkish leader is visiting the country. He's accompanied by an impressive business delegation, and has been focusing on investment opportunities.
WATER SCARCITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
What happens when a city runs out of municipal water? Models are clear on the severity: the tanking of the economy, the destruction of sewerage infrastructure, outbreaks of violence, the spreading of disease. As Day Zero threatens to approach the City of Cape Town, public consumption isn't the only problem.
Officially, as of yesterday, in Cape Town the water crisis has been upgraded to Level 6 restrictions. This translates to a reduction of over 60% water use of agricultural operations and 45% in the urban business sector. The drought in South Africa is concerning since it appears to be getting worse and if you pay attention to the graphs below, it looks quite grim.
Meteorologist can calculate rainfalls by looking at El Nino and La Nina patterns. The norm is El-Niño brings drought to South Africa, while La Niña brings wet conditions. The rain patterns are so inconsistent in SA, that both Nina and Nino are quite weak, so you do not get the expected rainfall.
STRICTLY INFROMATIONAL, REMEMBER SPARADIC IS THE WEATHER TODAY
THE AMOUNT OF RAINFALL AND DAM STORAGE
NO CLEAN WATER IN HARARE, ZIMBABWE???
“The chemicals needed to make water clean are no longer available in the city or are extremely low in quantity: Activated Carbon, Chlorine, Sulphuric Acid and
Aluminium Sulphate”
Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni of Harare, capital of Zimbabwe has released official statements on the consumption of water in the city.
““We think we are providing you with water that is good for you and your family to drink,” he said. “We have seen experiences of water that does not look good, water that looks greenish and brownish, water that froths or foams. Let’s share the responsibility. While we assume and claim that our water is clean and safe to drink; we ask you to exercise caution wherever you are and make your own personal decisions about what you see, what you smell. Is it good enough for you to drink?”
Let’s hope the new President of Zimbabwe, Bernard Manyenyeni will do something on the Public Health sector. Preferabbly starting with firing Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni immediately.
See you next Mulday!