Meet My Housemates in Cardiff!
Howdy 🙂
I feel very elated to be back on my blog and to keep sharing my world with my followers. I just realized I have almost 10,000 followers on this blog. My apologies for not writing before. It had a lot to do with work restrictions and contractual obligations for the last three organizations I worked for. So the question is, what has changed?
You can now expect a blog post from me, every Monday morning, for the next 50 weeks or so. A number of you, including my family and friends in various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and the many WhatsApp groups that I am in, already know that I left Kenya about a week ago. I am now in Cardiff, in Wales in the United Kingdom (UK) for the next one year. But, what brings me to Cardiff?
I am in the UK courtesy of Chevening Scholarship. Chevening is the prestigious UK Government’s Global Scholarship Programme that offers future leaders the unique opportunity to study in the UK. These scholarships are awarded to outstanding professionals from various countries and beyond to pursue a one year Master’s degree in any subject of their choice at any of the top UK Universities.
I will be pursuing Master’s Degree in International Public Relations and Global Communication Management from Cardiff University until sometime in September 2020. It’s going to be a whole year, away from home. Do wish me a pleasant stay. At times, life can be tough abroad. So far so good, I am determined to make the best of my life in this country. My priority being; giving my best in class, making new friends, learning new things, buying more shoes, touring Europe and finally just taking a chill pill, whatever that means.
Some of you remember that I spent almost two years in Norway, between the year 2010 to the end of 2011. I am happy I got that experience while I was pretty young. So this time round, I am not feeling very green or scared about my experience abroad. When people talk of winter, I am like ‘Yeah, been there, done that’ I know the experience first-hand. In addition to making this year an exciting one, I have housemates that I truly like. In other platforms, I have already introduced them and posted a few video’s we’ve made together.
For those who are yet to meet them, here we go. We are four.
From Left-Sidney, Dr. Pamela, Patience and Ronald
Patience Nyange- A journalist and Public Relations Practitioner. I am definitely going to be the noisemaker in this house. I can tell it. I love my life with a lot of laughter and positivity. So I will do my best to ensure that we have interesting and memorable moments in this house. I love cooking and I love my space. So quite often, I will be found in my room doing my assignments, listening to music that I love, reading my books or digitally catching up with my friends from all over the globe.
Dr. Pamela Njuguna- She is a medical doctor and currently pursuing an MSc, Clinical Dermatology from the Cardiff School of Medicine. She is our in-house doctor and we are glad that we can consult once in a while just in case we are not feeling very well. Pamela is our big sister and brings on board intellectual perspectives in our conversations. During her free time, she enjoys random walks and she will be cooking us ‘Mashakuras’ once in a while. Those who know that I struggle with adult acne, Pamela, my new found dermatologist says she will be here to help me with that, though on one condition. I must follow all the regimen she prescribes. I oblige.
Sidney Aburi- He is the youngest of the family. I call him a Data Scientist, period. I don’t understand what he does on his computer and neither am I ready to learn how to decode data messages. So we are happy to say…we will enjoy our time together in the kitchen. Food, looks like the only mutual language him and I will share. So far, he has proved that he is an excellent cook and we are happy to have him continue making his favourite meal; mac cheese and meat palate. I will upload a video of him being in the kitchen later.
And finally;
We have a Ronald Okello from Uganda. Ronald is a computer scientist. He is in Cardiff University, School of Computer Science and Informatics pursuing Masters of Science in Cyber Security. Ronald is a brave guy and for that we respect him. I mean, the three of us as Kenyans, didn’t know each other prior to getting here. But then Ronald, as a Ugandan still chose to go abroad and live with Kenyans, who at times can be too loud and noisy. In his spare time, he loves watching movies, reading, playing Badminton and cooking. So far we have had an experience with the Northern Ugandan delicacy famously known as ‘Malakwang’.
Having Ronald and Sidney in this house, it means all my computer problems are sorted out. I am truly excited. So my younger brother in Kenya can now have a restful time. I call him all the time to consult on matters computers since he is also a computer scientist and he actually thinks I am quite dumb when it comes to computer world so he has a lot of patience with me.
From Left, Dr. Pamela, Patience, Sidney and Ronald
So how did we meet and end up being housemates? It’s a funny story.
After eight months of the Chevening application process, the results were out. Someone knew someone who had made it to the finals. A Global Chevening WhatsApp group was quickly formed and we found ourselves in that group. I guess those of us coming to Cardiff University were lucky. We were three Kenyans. Many of the Scholars, found themselves in various schools in the UK all alone. We then formed another group of Cardiff University Scholars. The three of us, Pamela, Sidney and I started talking and getting to know each other. Sidney volunteered to help with house search. He sent us links of school and private accommodation. We seemed to like the private accommodation options. But then, there was a problem. Most of the houses we liked were either 4, 5 or 6 bedrooms. As time drew closer, we had to make a decision. We decided to go with the four bedroom house, then go back to the Global Chevening Group and ask if anyone was looking for a house and was ready to share the apartment with three Kenyans. Ronald Okello quickly declared his interest and that’s how we added him to our group hence becoming one of us. We assured him that were quite accommodating and even though the three of us were all Kenyans, we were also strangers to each other.
As the trend with Chevening is, the British Embassy in each country organises for a pre-departure briefing. We were all invited to attend. We were really excited that we finally had a chance to meet each other face to face. When we met, we liked each other and as they say…. the rest is history.. We are one lovely family. We are now getting to know each other, creating a family for ourselves as well as making our stay in Cardiff memorable in every sense. The four of us bring on board different expertise so we hope that we will add value to each other’s lives. A computer scientist, a doctor, a journalist/PR Practitioner and a data scientist……..quite a package!
“Friends are the family members you get to choose for yourself”
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I just love this.
Keep on girl!
Thank you for reading and leaving your comment.
Awesome dear❤️
Thanks Alice.
This is a beautiful piece Patience. Brings back fond memories of house searching when I moved to Canada. Accommodation is one main concern when moving to a new country and can be stressful finding one. I’m so happy you are settling in smoothly and creating your community.
Grace Mwashigadi
Thanks Grace. I hear you and I feel you.Yes, we have every plan to make the best out of our stay here, in every sense. Feel free to come and visit.
Great piece. Looking forward to more interesting foreign stories.
Thank you for reading. I have plans to keep writing, once a week.
i love what i read from your blog dearest..wish you well in everything and every endevour…..enjoy gal..
Thank you Damaris for stopping by and leaving your comment. Asante sana.
It was nice meeting your house mates here. You did a good job of introducing them and it feels as if we have met them already…
I will be camping here every monday to see what u r upto..
All the best sanguli !
Hahhahahhaha! Thanks Brenda, you promised to come visit me during my one year here, so I am looking forward to that. You will get a chance to meet them in person. Stay well.
Enough said, study hard, new shoes and more mashakura. You just made me feel am in Cardiff only to realize am reading this stuck in traffic jam on Ngong road .
Hhahhahaha, Collins! There is no lefting. You are finishing the journey with me. Thank you.
Yaaniii nishaona vile niko UK nanyinakataa kuamka toka kwa hii ndoto mwaka mzima
Nafwata sanaa sanaaaa
Hhahahahahahah! Remember I said no lefting. You will be here with me the whole year. Hahhahahah!
An amazing piece to read.. Kudos
Thank you for taking your time.
Awesome Patience. Good luck for all!
Thank you! Well appreciated.
I love this!
Make yourself at home quickly and move on and enjoy every bit of it. There’s no time for sijui nini. Bloom wherever God plants you!
Bloom, wherever you are planted. I will! Thanks Pamela.
Beautiful! Monday is definitely my best day now. Thank you for sharing your world
Thank you too for taking your time to read and leave a comment. See you next Monday.Cheers.
Awesome cuzo good luck all
Thank you! Stay well till we meet again.
You write so beautifully!!!! Wishing you all the best and i will always look forward to the Monday blog dates.
Jemeli, thank you for taking your time to read and leave your comment. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Stay well.
Hi Patience , thanks for introducing your house mates to us. 🙂
Thank you! Now you know I have a bubbly company with me. Stay well.
Great!!Say hallo to Dr Pamela.She was in my high school,Bishop Gatimu
Is it? I will definitely pass your regards to Pamela.
A great read. My mental picture keep enlarging, thanks to you. Thank you.
Stella! Let’s keep the dream. 2020 it is!
Goodluck patience..
Thank you!
Happy for you sis!! Looking forward to the next read.
Thank you! Stay well. Let’s meet again on Monday, Inshallah!
All the very best.
Have fun.
With a Doctor, Data Scientist and a Computer Scientist.. you are well taken care of. You are fine. Great family!
Have fun? Are you sure? Hahhahahaaha!
Yes, I am well taken care of, but please pick my phonecalls. You don’t judge me, they might when I start asking what you consider blonde questions.
I miss you already.
Enjoy my love. Enjoy. Enjoy.
Thanks. Enjoy on your side as well. Thanks for reading and leaving your comment.
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