If you asked me to describe 2018 in the shortest way possible, I would say it was slow, but it went by so fast. Do I even make sense? Anyway, here’s a round-up of all things 2018.
Top 5 places I visited:
- One January morning, mom woke me up to drive her to Jokala because it was a market day. On the way back, we stopped at a place called Pa Jokala for a drink. This place is one of my favourite places in Zomba. Great view. Serene.
- Same January, my girls and I went up Zomba Mountain for a picnic.
And all the other times I visited Chawe. It always feels like the first time. I truly am proud of my home…
- In April, Martha a.k.a. my travel buddy went to Satemwa Tea Estate in Thyolo and had a meal at Huntington’s House.
- Kachere Kastle was AMAZING in September. You can read this blog post I wrote on our time there.
- End of September, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya for a learning visit and the Segal Family Foundation Annual Meeting where I represented Little Big Prints. I was in the company of amazing people who are doing great things for Malawi. The minute I met them at the airport, we were already acting like a family.
You can read this blog post by Chimwemwe John Paul Manyozo and Wangiwe Joanna Kambuzi on the SII Learning visit to Nairobi.
There was a free day, and I decided to meet up with a sister I started talking to via Instagram called Grace. Everyone thought I was nuts for planning to spend a day with someone I had only talked to online but she’s a SISTER lol I really wasn’t worried. When we met, it was as if we had known each other for years! She introduced me to another sister called Joy. We went up the Kenyatta International Conventional Centre where I was blown away by the view of the city.
Grace, Faith, Joy.
Needless to say, I was tempted to relocate to Kenya.
Top 10 Books I’ve read:
This year, I’ve tried to get into reading books again so I can improve on my writing skills and just really escape for a while. Here are my favourites.
- I Do Not Come to You by Chance by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani – I had to put the book down a lot of times just to laugh for some minutes. Funny, sad, dramatic, and relatable.
- Born a Crime by Trevor Noah – I learnt a lot about the Apartheid through this humorous account. When you read this book, you will understand why Trevor is one of the most loved comedians from Africa.
- The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives by Lola Shoneyin – wow! This work of fiction blew me away! The way the words are beautifully woven in this book. Yhooo. Blown away.
- A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hossein – OK, so I was late to the party. Yes, I cried guys. I totally cried. Beautiful piece of work. I’m yet to read The Kite Runner, but I definitely will.
- I Can’t Make This Up by Kevin Hart – Hilarious, packed with key life lessons. I also love how this book was laid out.
- When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi – This book makes you THINK. Very few books about death intrigue me. This was one of them.
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman – Another book that just helped me escape into someone else’s mind.
- Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – A beautiful work of fiction. Interesting to see how people handle illnesses and death.
- Kuwala by Tamiwe Kathumba – A poetry book from Malawi! And a GREAT one too! I stay quoting her poems. You can download it here.
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie – I feel like everyone should read this book. I put it off for a while, then I decided to read it. Some things were basic, but it was good to be reminded. A great guide on how to be a people person.
10 songs I overplayed in 2018
- Psalm 34 – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
- Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship
- The Answer is Jesus – The Cockman Family (shoutout to my awesome friend, Rachel Mwale, for hooking me up with the Discography of the Cockman Family).
- I Will Sing – Wambali
- I Will Carry You – Selah (A friend of mine lost her baby and we overplayed this song together. It was such a comfort).
- Lover of my Soul – Jonathan McReynolds
- Comparison Kills – Jonathan McReynolds (You know what, just download his “Make Room” Album).
- What Heaven Means to Me – Donny Reagan
- Victory Belongs to Jesus – Todd Dulaney (thanks to my dad who always puts it on repeat).
- Deep in Love With You – Michael W. Smith. (I lost a good friend of mine in July this year. This song was sung on her funeral. Keep resting in Peace, Mwayi.)
Link Round-up
- This cute site is like getting a hug from a friend when you really need it. Check out Chibird for a little motivation.
- This Christian tumblog called worshipgifs gives me liiiife.
- Looking for scholarships? Fellowships? Grants? Regularly check opportunitiesforafricans.com
- I got this link from my friend, Angasa. If you want to improve your writing, check out writerswrite. Also check Angasa’s blog, she always has awesome reviews and round-up’s.
- Some of the most pressing questions you may have about your destiny, about the Serpent Seed, Baptism, etc, are answered on themessage.com with bible references.
Top 5 Apps
- Samsung Health – I slept on it for a whiiile. But it’s really helped track my health- from my sleeping trends to the amount of steps I take in a day.
- Flo – If you are a female, you gotta have this amazing app on your phone. Packed with really helpful insights. Thank me later.
- Lifeline – If you are a message believer and never even heard of this app, I am here shaking my head. But worry not, it’s not limited edition. A great app with Quote of the Day, testimonies from people who were in Brother Branham’s meetings and awesome wallpapers.
- BerryBee – this app brings Malawi to your fingertips – from events, things to do and where to grab a bite – all the information you need. It’s available on the Play Store.
- Chitsitsimutso Songs – My friend, Brother Fodrick Nyirongo developed this app. It’s a song book with hymns in both Chichewa and Chitumbuka. Also on the Play Store.
2018 has been an amazing year all in all. I was feeling discouraged because I haven’t achieved the things I thought I would, but when I started looking at all the positives, I really surprised myself. So, before you start beating yourself up, sit down and actually think of the things you are grateful for that 2018 taught you.
Thank you, dear reader, for being part of my journey. I truly am grateful! I know there’s so much stuff on the internet you can spend your time on, but you somehow chose to read this. THANK YOU!
I wish you a blessed and fruitful 2019. May you never stop counting your blessings.
-Fai x
Thank you so much!
Looking forward to more of your blogs!
Thank you boo x
Great to have crossed your path Faith and this read has made my afternoon- will take on books and apps recomendations
Pleasure is mine! Thank you so much! Happy 2019! X
Wow. I am deeply honored that you enjoyed Kuwala.
You’re an incredible writer! And an inspiration! X
Your year must have been wonderful. Wish you greater moments come 2019
It truly was. Thank you! I wish the same for you
And i dont know why it took me this long to read this. But hey better late than never right?
Amazing !looking forward to more😊
Many thanks!