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1. I once told you that I worked as a #Nanny. I have found my contract in a stack of papers. I'll try make this thread short - you know how I start then can't stop? I say, "Finally," then add 40 more tweets. I'll try. THREAD.
2. I had just quit my teaching job at Hillcrest International School. Yes, you read that right. I also hope I got the year right, because this memory
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3. Hillcrest was a good employer. The benefits and the environment was good. Still the only school that I've worked at, that gives students and staff a 3course meal at lunch time and snacks. I've worked at schools that do not even give teachers a snack.
4. It's at Hillcrest that I bought my first car - a nice little Ford
. I need to tell you about the power of the tongue. I swear! I'll tell you that story on a different thread. A story of how I bought it with a downpayment of 70k or some crazy amount, and the owner let...
. I need to tell you about the power of the tongue. I swear! I'll tell you that story on a different thread. A story of how I bought it with a downpayment of 70k or some crazy amount, and the owner let...
5...me drive it out of the car yard. I paid the rest of the amount every month for about 4months, at no interest, no loans AND while using the car! I had gotten tired of taking THREE ma3s to work one way. Meanwhile, some of my students were being chopper-dropped to school
6. I quit my job because I wanted a break. And other reasons. That's not the first time I've quit a job - you know this. I leave well though, that's why they call me back. Plus I work my ass off - I'm pretty committed to my work. I'm employee of the month, every month.
7. I have quit my current job. I told you this some months ago. In November last year, I told my boss that I wouldn't be renewing my contract, so my job ends this Friday. Time for a break. Teaching is beautiful, but very hard. I've been at this for 15years!
8. So, I left Hillcrest, tried to run a dance company, that went well, until it didn't. I decided to leave Nairobi/Kenya. I was tired. Another power of the tongue story for another thread. I came across a Nanny/Aupair website/app(??)
9. Threw my picture and profile on the website and got many enquiries. I love kids very much and have always been good with them (playing, reading, diapers, nstuff), but not good at teaching them, so I teach teenagers. I digress.
10. I got enquiries from Australia (I'm still friends with that family), UK, etc. Then I got this one in Kitisuru. I thought it would be good to start at home. I went for the interview and they liked me. My job was to take care of their twins. They might have been 3years old.
11. They were offering a house (SQ) and I was working with 2 other nannies. One did more cooking for the kids and bathing them, the other cleaning the house and cooking for the fam, and I did more playing and reading for them.
12. I lived on noodles and soup because, cooking is for the weak.
13. My job would also involve taking them on play dates and chilling with the housewives of Kitisuru, Runda and Lavington. Ok, I'm sorry. But it's true. Cheers.
14. I would sometimes drive them in my car (yes, my employer trusted me that much), or drive the family car - them big expat cars with red plates... you know what I'm talking about. I didn't drive like those redplate drivers though. Not sure where they're always rushing to!
15. S'times I'd go shopping with the kids to VM, take them to the national museum - I have a picture of that; can't find it rn. The boy loved snakes. I had the freedom to choose what I wanted to do with them. Wish this was today, with everything I know! Tungeenda mpaka Malawi!
16. My employer asked if I would consider moving back with them to the UK, because they'd seen that I was good with their kids and they'd grown fond of me. I declined. I wanted to go back to teaching, or sm shit. Sijui ni mogoka?
17. They treated me well, but if it was today, I would have asked for more. I deserved more. Anyway, the nanny job was a good break for me. I later worked at a PR company, met Shaggy Mr Boombastic, went to Tz then Indonesia, all to teach.
, went to Tz then Indonesia, all to teach.
18. My desire to leave Kenya, came to be. When I came across this contract today, I Googled the couple. The man is now in frontline politics in the UK. Kids, I would be rubbing shoulders with the Queen and visiting Megan in Canada. But where am I?
19. Msidharau kazi. Kazi ni kazi. I earned kidogo, had fun, loved those kids, made some networks, enjoyed my break from teaching, had free accommodation... One day I'll tell you why I've never paid rent. Hii nyumba mnaitanga hostel si yangu hata, na furniture si yangu...
20... I'll leave it here next week. I also worked as a cockroach exterminator. Lol. It's true. And one of you still owes me 3k. I see him balling huku na ni kama alipata amnesia about my measly 3k. When I see him:
21. FINALLY (I might add 90 more tweets), I've got a new job for August. I haven't read the contract yet. I intend to do part time for 1yr.
Trust your tongue.
Speak things every day and believe.
Trust yourself.
You're enough.
Things'll get better.
Sending you love
), I've got a new job for August. I haven't read the contract yet. I intend to do part time for 1yr. Trust your tongue.
Speak things every day and believe.
Trust yourself.
You're enough.
Things'll get better.
Sending you love
22. I am not afraid of death. I say this many times. Y'know why? It's the freedom I have allowed myself to experience. Fear is crippling. I have said yes to jobs I didn't know how to do, but worked my ass off to do them. I have packed bags and gone to foreign lands by myself,
23. I have loved people wholeheartedly - been heartbroken and risen (I don't regret love; I think it's a BEAUTIFUL thing), I have broken hearts - I'm sorry, I have said yes to invitations and no to others. I do whatever tf I want. I fear nobody. I wish many were like this;
24. I feel as if many people are imprisoned by societal rules+ expectations. You know very well that you're uncomfortable in a situation, but you hang on because, 'What will people say?' People will say sh!t even when you're just taking a nap, minding your own business!
25. I'm not a motivational speaker, lol. I can't stand those + their books! So anyway, live free. Try. I can confidently say that I have lived well and intend to live many more happy years. How? By doing whatever tf I want, because rules+expectations don't feed me.
26. I once called my mum and said I wanted to quit my job because I was very unhappy about the racism in the workplace. She told me, 'Quit and come home." Note: I'm not from a wealthy family. She said, "Nobody provides for you." This lesson has stuck with me for years.
27. Halafu, don't let pride and 'What will people say' make you sleep hungry bana! I will sell tomatoes on the roadside if that's what I need to survive. I WILL NEVER BE HUNGRY. Unless I'm ill and bedridden, pride will never get in my way.
Signed,
Cockroach Exterminator.
Signed,
Cockroach Exterminator.
28. You know I had to add on to this thread. It wouldn't be a typical me-thread without the after-thoughts. Did I make up that word? Sikuangi mwerevu sana.
