Riding the Career Bus: Detours, Speed Bumps, and Scenic Routes on My Professional Journey

Once upon a time in the wacky world of Geraldine's career, she found herself embroiled in yet another hilarious chapter of her professional life. Picture this: Geraldine stumbled upon an external vendor whose ego was bigger than an elephant on a diet of donuts. Little did she know that this vendor's recruitment process had been a hot mess, and somehow, they ended up with a contract for a job they had zero experience in. Talk about a comedy of errors! The situation quickly spiraled into a dispute resolution meeting, where all the parties involved gathered to sort out the mess. But, hold onto your hats, folks! Instead of addressing their own shortcomings, the vendor took a detour straight into the realm of personal attacks. It was like watching a squirrel trying to perform Shakespeare—totally unexpected and utterly ridiculous. Now, imagine you were a lowly junior in the hierarchy, caught in the midst of this circus. How would you handle such a sideshow? Well, unfortunately for mo...

Picture this: Meet Jomo, a hardworking Kenyan taxi driver who calls Nairobi his home and his cab, his castle. Every day, he wakes up early, greets the sun, and hits the roads, never knowing what the day will bring. Lately, however, Kenya's economy seems to be playing out like a comedy sketch on SNL, with Jomo as the reluctant star. Imagine having the Kenyan Shilling as a fickle best friend who's perpetually on a diet, losing value faster than a melting ice cream cone in the hot Nairobi sun. That's the reality Jomo grapples with daily. He laughs and says, "You know, the Shilling is like that friend who owes you money but instead goes on vacation!" Living in Kenya has become an expensive joke, where avocados are the new status symbol. Jomo jests, "If I can buy an avocado without selling my taxi, I'll consider myself Kenya's Bill Gates!" Last Friday, he joined the street demonstrations, leaving his cab behind. On his homemade placard, a witty quip ...

To the dedicated followers of my life's thrilling saga (you know who you are), you know that I harbor an unapologetic love for culinary adventures. This past weekend, my gastronomical journey took an exciting detour to one of our humble local supermarkets. There, in a moment of bold resolve, I decided to don the top hat and monocle of the bourgeoisie. I shelled out a royal sum of Kshs 450 (3.2$) for less than half a kilogram of the ruby red delight - the pomegranate. Oh, how I revel in the symphony of crunch as I sink my teeth into those jewel-like seeds, each bursting with vibrant color. It's like eating garnets, but less of a dental hazard! In the aftermath, however, my mind started its usual hamster-wheel routine (a charming trait of mine, or so I tell myself). I found myself journeying back to my salad days of 'Nutrition 101.' Now, our little crowned jewel of a fruit here, the pomegranate, isn't just an accessory for a lavish Sunday brunch. It's a veritable ...

Ever felt like a pancake because a colleague or friend tossed you under the metaphorical bus?  You're left flattened under a mound of unjust responsibilities, criticisms, and almost comical accusations. Here's a classic, from my "Best of Betrayals" album. Back at Embu PGH, my chums accused me of being stubborn and spying from behind patient curtains during ward rounds. Who does that? I wasn't planning a surprise party! The comedy of errors didn't stop there. This debacle reached the hospital administrator, who then zoomed up to the Provincial Director of Medical Services with the bright idea of shipping me off to Moyale. Feeling like a marked spy, I was a cocktail of resentment and disenchantment. But wait for the twist! In what felt like a speed-dating round, the director resolved my case in 15 minutes flat, promoting me to Provincial Nutritionist instead. Who's laughing now? Riding this career bus has been no walk in the park! I've had more mornings ...

My last post gave you a sneak peek into the humble beginnings of my nutrition journey. Fast forward to today, and we've traded our nutrition hats for the hefty helmets of food security and livelihoods. Let me tell you, the commute between the two has been quite an informative joyride, albeit with a few speed bumps. It's like hopping into a different vehicle altogether; I've had to dust off my creative cap, fuel up on endless knowledge, and navigate the winding roads of this new terrain. Now that I've taken the driver's seat of the CASCADE bus in Kenya, it feels like I've struck some silver, but I'm still searching for that diamond and gold! It's a chance to shape the fresh minds of young nutrition service providers in the counties, all while pressing the pedal to the metal for better policies supporting healthy diets. Indeed, this journey is far from over!

Ah , this little name tag takes me on a hilarious trip down memory lane, reminding me of where my illustrious career in the world of nutrition began. Can you believe it? It's been a whopping 18 years since I sauntered into Embu Provincial General Hospital (now referred to as Embu Level 5 Hospital), fresh out of college, with stars in my eyes. I'll never forget the nurse who sternly scolded me, claiming that "nutritionists belong in the kitchen!"😖.  Talk about a real blow to my ego. But fear not, my friends, for I gathered every ounce of courage to enlighten that nurse about the crucial role of clinical nutrition in improving a patient's prognosis. It took some time for the other health cadres to accept us (there were only six of us in the department back then), but boy, was it worth it. Now, let me share the funniest memory of all. Brace yourselves! Back in those days, nutritionists wore bright yellow uniforms to signify the mighty "egg yolk." Can you ...