Recalling Ngethustar's Celebration of a Landmark First
LAST YEAR, on December 14th 2005, I graduated from the University of London having led the class with a Distinction in the LLM Public International Law and awarded the Draper’s Company Prize for Academic Excellence. Exactly a year later, I share and celebrate this success with all people who believe in hope, love and triumph for mankind.
THIS IS A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO MY FRIENDS: That All Dreams will come true by belief in God and remaining real to oneself. It all starts with hope, then hope turns in to belief and into conviction. To then acquire passion is the greatest gift one can have because brings our dedication and consistency in pursuit of the way of the cause. The last seven days before the date of my graduation were one of the most important days of my life but also the most fun. What is happiness that is not shared? What is it worth? There are some may people that I am blessed to have in my life to go though the difficult times, trials and tribulations of this much fragile world.
IT WAS A GREAT IDEA to hire a Fan Van full of happiness and love. The Fan Van was a white 17 Seater minibus that we rode in for 7 days. For almost a week, we woke up at dawn daily in order to be on an extremely tight schedule. What really amazed me, beyond what words can express, was the absolute determination to get up early and n time exhibited by my friends despite the late drunken nights in order to make the 14t of December 2005 the resounding success that it was. The Fan Van and the crew left Manchester on the 13th of December for a tour in Sheffield, a beautiful city built on 7 hills. The scenery on the country side was breath taking.
THE TOUR around the historical sites was captained by Dave, a PhD Colleague of mine at the University of Sheffield. He led all of us in to a Steel Museum and gave us one and Half hours to walk around the museum. Kenyans will always be Kenyans. They were done in 15 minutes and bored stiff. What was exiting was the stop at the bar. I remember ordering 8 shots of JD and puzzled as to why they were put in separate glasses. When I asked the waiter why she had not put the shots in one glass, she told me that it was against the law to mix all of them in one glass but that I was free to do it myself. I was glad to. After that I recall that it had to take my dad to hold my hand and lead me out of the pub to the waiting Fan Van.
KORKI AND BRIAN drove us to London. By the time Korki and I returned the Fan Van, the following had had their share if love and happiness in the fan Van. The Folks, Korki, Brenda, Brian,Wanj, Gachera,Nduta, Liz, Hatim, Sheve, Muthoni, Silvi, GG, Ck, Noni, Dave, Jamie, Jane, Caleb, Moreen and 7 other middle aged women that we gave a ride to some pub. In my HI5 Journals I wrote that I would dress as a Maasai Warrior and that once my name was called in the graduation, I would get onto that stage and dance. Many people texted me, sent me emails and called to ask if I pulled it off. Well, its all on video and the pictures s are still on my hi5 webpage. Basically I had this long spear that Gachera and my Dad somehow smuggled through customs and into this country. I also carried a drum on my shoulder and a Kenyan Flag that Ngina gave me as a present to complete my full Maasai attire.
I WILL SAY THIS IN SIMPLE TERMS. I stole the show, it became the Jamesession. When my name was called, I beat the drum and got on to the stage, I danced and Danced and got the loudest cheers with all the light on me. A few minutes of fame they might have been, but fully lived they were. That day I was the most beautiful person in London and even the newly crowed Miss World could not have been prettier than me. So many people from all walks of life and from diverse nations asked to be take n a photo with me. I did it for the people in Ngethu, the people who have so little yet so full of wealth in the laughter in their hearts.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, and as the beating of the drum came to a halt, I graduated with a in Masters LLM Public International Law. I also won the Drapers Company Prize for academic excellence. All I can say that it was a pleasure beating all those white people. Life has colour and is truly beautiful. There is so much to love and to share. While my names and those of my father ay appear on the certificates, this story has only been half-told. I only know too well that our success was made possible by certain people in my life. So I will never say I did this nor did that because the truth is that we got here together.
SPECIAL THANKS to the people that have been with me this week to celebrate the success of my family and our people its been an great experience. Thanks for those that emailed, called and texted to wish me a great time including... It was a great occasion for my Parents, Gachera and Liz to meet the very best of my friends. That week became a reunion of old friends and at one time we discovered that Korki,Gachera,Caleb Njuno James Macharia, Liz and I all went o Hospital Hill Primary. Korki and Sheve had not met in 8 years. Special thanks to Brian Mwangale who is the perfect definition of a best friend.
TO LAURA O’LEARY in a special way, who proof read all my written work, and still does for my current thesis. Laura's corrections, comments suggestions, and opinion contributed to the award of a distinction. To Kariuki Mathu and James Macharia my greatest friends of over 16 years. Thanks for standing with me through all these years. Special thanks to the Brenda, the real queen in our eyes and who I have known for many years. Thanks for all the conversations that we have and for being in complete oneness with me. We know the love and kindness that she extends to us all. Special thanks to Chiedza for the relentless belief in me especially you when I needed you most. Chi, Laura Brian and I, for the last three years learnt to look for the opportunities in the face of adversity and living with you in our days at Kent was the best experience in the UK and one that prepared me for what is on going.
THANKS SLY MACHARIA and Congratulations for your graduation and the big opportunities that you have already been offered. We know what it was like going through what we did. My special gratitude and thanks to Wanjiru wa Maina MD. Wanjiru made my graduation what it was, full of colour, happiness and laughter. Most of all she is one of the most important people in my life. Thanks to Sam for the realisation you bring into my life. You are more important to me than you know. Thanks to the Nyari crew, as always,..Haki hakuna Kurara. Thanks Kui,Tome,Utita,Tinii,Manga,Weru,Muthoni,Paul,Nduta,Kennethia,Wachira,Sandra,Madi,Angie,Dorothy, Crystal, Kari, Joan and all the other nyari people..its the love all the way.To the Sheffield crew, Ngina, Muthoni, Silvie,kiki and Mbugua I love you guys. Thanks to all those that could not make it but sent text, called and emailed. Your presence was much felt.
MOST OF ALL SPECIAL THANKS TO MY LOVING FAMILY, for all the love and support. Especially to my Dad who is my best friend, my inspiration and my guide. My dad taught me that you may not be able to go out on one Friday night but you can go out there and be the best in the world. To my mum who I always remind that she is God's daily gift to humanity and how blessed I am that she carried me in her womb for 9 months, raised me to be the man I am and was a mother to 10 others all at the same time.Special thanks to my siblings. Muiruri and Gachera, Carol, Doreen, Frankie,Liz and Jazz.I love you guys for all eternity.
THIS ACHIEVEMENT is dedicated to my dad and family. Specially dedicated to those many old men and women that sang Ngemi for me at the airport the first time I left Kenya for the UK on 14th September 2002 and who some are no longer with us to celebrate this achievement, the very first in the region. Finally, I believe in Angels. This is only the beginning. HERE IS WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY XMAS AND A VERY HAPPY 2007.
THIS IS A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO MY FRIENDS: That All Dreams will come true by belief in God and remaining real to oneself. It all starts with hope, then hope turns in to belief and into conviction. To then acquire passion is the greatest gift one can have because brings our dedication and consistency in pursuit of the way of the cause. The last seven days before the date of my graduation were one of the most important days of my life but also the most fun. What is happiness that is not shared? What is it worth? There are some may people that I am blessed to have in my life to go though the difficult times, trials and tribulations of this much fragile world.
IT WAS A GREAT IDEA to hire a Fan Van full of happiness and love. The Fan Van was a white 17 Seater minibus that we rode in for 7 days. For almost a week, we woke up at dawn daily in order to be on an extremely tight schedule. What really amazed me, beyond what words can express, was the absolute determination to get up early and n time exhibited by my friends despite the late drunken nights in order to make the 14t of December 2005 the resounding success that it was. The Fan Van and the crew left Manchester on the 13th of December for a tour in Sheffield, a beautiful city built on 7 hills. The scenery on the country side was breath taking.
THE TOUR around the historical sites was captained by Dave, a PhD Colleague of mine at the University of Sheffield. He led all of us in to a Steel Museum and gave us one and Half hours to walk around the museum. Kenyans will always be Kenyans. They were done in 15 minutes and bored stiff. What was exiting was the stop at the bar. I remember ordering 8 shots of JD and puzzled as to why they were put in separate glasses. When I asked the waiter why she had not put the shots in one glass, she told me that it was against the law to mix all of them in one glass but that I was free to do it myself. I was glad to. After that I recall that it had to take my dad to hold my hand and lead me out of the pub to the waiting Fan Van.
KORKI AND BRIAN drove us to London. By the time Korki and I returned the Fan Van, the following had had their share if love and happiness in the fan Van. The Folks, Korki, Brenda, Brian,Wanj, Gachera,Nduta, Liz, Hatim, Sheve, Muthoni, Silvi, GG, Ck, Noni, Dave, Jamie, Jane, Caleb, Moreen and 7 other middle aged women that we gave a ride to some pub. In my HI5 Journals I wrote that I would dress as a Maasai Warrior and that once my name was called in the graduation, I would get onto that stage and dance. Many people texted me, sent me emails and called to ask if I pulled it off. Well, its all on video and the pictures s are still on my hi5 webpage. Basically I had this long spear that Gachera and my Dad somehow smuggled through customs and into this country. I also carried a drum on my shoulder and a Kenyan Flag that Ngina gave me as a present to complete my full Maasai attire.
I WILL SAY THIS IN SIMPLE TERMS. I stole the show, it became the Jamesession. When my name was called, I beat the drum and got on to the stage, I danced and Danced and got the loudest cheers with all the light on me. A few minutes of fame they might have been, but fully lived they were. That day I was the most beautiful person in London and even the newly crowed Miss World could not have been prettier than me. So many people from all walks of life and from diverse nations asked to be take n a photo with me. I did it for the people in Ngethu, the people who have so little yet so full of wealth in the laughter in their hearts.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, and as the beating of the drum came to a halt, I graduated with a in Masters LLM Public International Law. I also won the Drapers Company Prize for academic excellence. All I can say that it was a pleasure beating all those white people. Life has colour and is truly beautiful. There is so much to love and to share. While my names and those of my father ay appear on the certificates, this story has only been half-told. I only know too well that our success was made possible by certain people in my life. So I will never say I did this nor did that because the truth is that we got here together.
SPECIAL THANKS to the people that have been with me this week to celebrate the success of my family and our people its been an great experience. Thanks for those that emailed, called and texted to wish me a great time including... It was a great occasion for my Parents, Gachera and Liz to meet the very best of my friends. That week became a reunion of old friends and at one time we discovered that Korki,Gachera,Caleb Njuno James Macharia, Liz and I all went o Hospital Hill Primary. Korki and Sheve had not met in 8 years. Special thanks to Brian Mwangale who is the perfect definition of a best friend.
TO LAURA O’LEARY in a special way, who proof read all my written work, and still does for my current thesis. Laura's corrections, comments suggestions, and opinion contributed to the award of a distinction. To Kariuki Mathu and James Macharia my greatest friends of over 16 years. Thanks for standing with me through all these years. Special thanks to the Brenda, the real queen in our eyes and who I have known for many years. Thanks for all the conversations that we have and for being in complete oneness with me. We know the love and kindness that she extends to us all. Special thanks to Chiedza for the relentless belief in me especially you when I needed you most. Chi, Laura Brian and I, for the last three years learnt to look for the opportunities in the face of adversity and living with you in our days at Kent was the best experience in the UK and one that prepared me for what is on going.
THANKS SLY MACHARIA and Congratulations for your graduation and the big opportunities that you have already been offered. We know what it was like going through what we did. My special gratitude and thanks to Wanjiru wa Maina MD. Wanjiru made my graduation what it was, full of colour, happiness and laughter. Most of all she is one of the most important people in my life. Thanks to Sam for the realisation you bring into my life. You are more important to me than you know. Thanks to the Nyari crew, as always,..Haki hakuna Kurara. Thanks Kui,Tome,Utita,Tinii,Manga,Weru,Muthoni,Paul,Nduta,Kennethia,Wachira,Sandra,Madi,Angie,Dorothy, Crystal, Kari, Joan and all the other nyari people..its the love all the way.To the Sheffield crew, Ngina, Muthoni, Silvie,kiki and Mbugua I love you guys. Thanks to all those that could not make it but sent text, called and emailed. Your presence was much felt.
MOST OF ALL SPECIAL THANKS TO MY LOVING FAMILY, for all the love and support. Especially to my Dad who is my best friend, my inspiration and my guide. My dad taught me that you may not be able to go out on one Friday night but you can go out there and be the best in the world. To my mum who I always remind that she is God's daily gift to humanity and how blessed I am that she carried me in her womb for 9 months, raised me to be the man I am and was a mother to 10 others all at the same time.Special thanks to my siblings. Muiruri and Gachera, Carol, Doreen, Frankie,Liz and Jazz.I love you guys for all eternity.
THIS ACHIEVEMENT is dedicated to my dad and family. Specially dedicated to those many old men and women that sang Ngemi for me at the airport the first time I left Kenya for the UK on 14th September 2002 and who some are no longer with us to celebrate this achievement, the very first in the region. Finally, I believe in Angels. This is only the beginning. HERE IS WISHING YOU ALL A VERY MERRY XMAS AND A VERY HAPPY 2007.
posted by NG'ETHU STAR at 7:39 AM
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