Monday 25 November 2013

Good morning!

My morning walks aren't giving me that adrenalin-pumping, I'm-so-excited-to-convert-into-a-morning-person, zip-a-dee-doo-daa kind of feeling anymore. I wonder why. I suppose it is because ever since I've been back from my Sengal-Gambia holiday, I never managed to get back into a rhythm. I was doing work outs three times a week at the break of dawn, and thoroughly relishing my morning time. But now, I struggle to wake up early in the morning twice a week and, even then I'm so grumpy. 

But taking these photos this morning with my HTC Phone did cheer me up. For a bit. Until I came to the office and, started screaming and yelling at my poor staff. 





Friday 22 November 2013

I love listening to the bats in the morning

I had a great workout this morning from 6:30 to 8:00 AM. I was happy to be up, I was enjoying the exercises and, knew I was set to have a productive and cheerful day. 

I also loved hearing the bats!  





Friday 15 November 2013

Good morninggggggg Monrovia!


Nerd Nite

We attended Nerd Nite last night with our techie, Jonathan Barwon. 

The presentations were: "Can Behavioral Economics inform Public Policy?"; "God, Drugs, and Evolution"; and "Lebanon 101".

The fellow who presented "Lebanon 101" told us his great grandfather arrived in Sierra Leone in 1896! I would love to read a book tracing the history of Lebanese traders in West Africa. 

We also got a great business idea from the "Behavioural Economics" presentation. The presenter gave us an example of how the Economist uses 'decoy' subscription offers to scam its readers. We think we can turn this into a cunning marketing plan. So watch out for that. 



Monday 11 November 2013

Some sights of Monrovia

So, I was on a marketing trip to meet clients and, got the opportunity to take some pictures of Monrovia. 

View of Broad Street and a car lot through barbed wire. 

View of the Milton Richards building from the current Central Bank

The new Central Bank - looks swanky!

Saturday 9 November 2013

Thursday 7 November 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!

Liberia's history and identity is deeply intertwined with the United States of America. The two share many symbolisms and, among them is Thanksgiving! The Liberian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Thursday of November. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday 4 November 2013

Good morning from the rooftop




I was up on the rooftop today for my morning work out and, took this pictures to remember the moment. 

Kavita's clothes hanging to dry made me smile and, I couldn't wait to go back down and squeeze her cheeks. 

And, here's a picture of my container gardening: nutella bottles, candle vases, jam jars, and Nido cans:


Friday 1 November 2013

I would like to work as a janitor in your office

 Just spotted a vacancy announcement for an office cleaner from a major international organisation whose objective is to develop IT in Liberia. The advert asks for a CV and 3 job references. I imagine the interview for the successful short listed candidate would go like this: 
"Thank you for interviewing me. Yes, sir, I am qualified to work in your office as a janitor. I don't have educational qualifications to match since I come from a socio-economic class that cannot afford university education. I have life experience as a member of struggling class and, have working here and there as domestic help for expatriates until they go back home. It's been my dream to clean the toilets of an international organisation working to develop my country's IT. I promise you, I won't let you down. I will bring my own cleaning tools and materials. I only use toxin-free cleaning agents since I'm also environmentally conscious. I do not have access to a computer to type my CV and I could not get in touch my previous bosses who no longer live in Liberia but I am qualified."
So, I posted this on Facebook as a status rant and one of my friends and, also an employer in the mining industry, told me that this is actually government policy:  "That is what the Liberian Ministry of labour asked every big company to do. And the advert cost more than 2 cleaner per month!"

And, I wrote:  "I am very confused and rather shocked. I wonder what the rationale is behind this policy. Is it it to give equal opportunity to all the would-be janitors? Is it to professionalise/standardise the recruiting process? Is it to raise the wages for janitors?"