SWAHILI PROVERBS

Ujana ni moshi.
Idiomatic Translation: Adolescence is smoke.
Literal Meaning: Youth is transient, disappearing like smoke. Once dissipated it can never be brought back.

Ukimwiga tembo kunya utapasuka mkundu.
Idiomatic Translation: If you imitate an elephant defecating you'll burst your ass.
Literal Meaning: If you run with the big boys you're going to get hurt.

Uking'wafua mnofu ukumbuke kuguguna mfupa.
Idiomatic Translation: When you are snapping at boneless meat, remember gnawing on a bone.
Literal Meaning: One who has seen good fortune should not forget hard times.

Ukistahi mke ndugu huzai naye.
Idiomatic Translation: If you respect your wife like a friend you won't have children with her.
Literal Meaning: If you fear and respect a person from whom you need help, your fear will prevent you from receiving their help.

Ukitaka salama ya dunia zuia ulimi wako.
Translation: If you want world peace then hold your tongue.
Meaning: If you want the world to be a peaceful place then stop talking trash about other people.

Usiache mbachao kwa msala upitao.
Idiomatic Translation: Don't give up your old prayer rug.
Literal Meaning: Don't toss away old things or friends for new shiny ones.

Usimwamshe aliyelala, ukimwamsha utalala wewe.
Idiomatic Translation: Don't wake he who is sleeping, if you wake him, you will sleep yourself.
Literal Meaning: Don't trust a fool with your private matters, if you do, you will be the fool!

Usione simba kapigwa na mvua.
Idiomatic Translation: You shouldn't look at a lion as it is being rained on.
Literal Meaning: Don't ridicule the powerful when their situation takes a turn for the worse.

Usipoziba ufa, utajenga ukuta.
Idiomatic Translation: If you don't fill a crack, you will build a wall. OR A stitch in time saves nine.
Literal Meaning: If you ignore a small problem now it will only turn into a bigger problem later.

And much much more!

Learn beautiful swahili proverbs, and improve your conversation skills.

TOKYO AND OSAKA

Sugoi desu ne!

Its a smile that brings friends around and about

Even with a smile you can win the Samurai.

Friends are far more precious than rubies.

Thanks friends for making my visit to Japan memorable. I treasure you all.

And for the grill and delicious meal on the menu, 'twas remarkable. I really enjoyed.

And for taking me out to see JAPAN, it was a wonderful experience!

For more click here http://picasaweb.google.co.jp/lh/sredir?uname=kahawatungu&target=ALBUM&id=5361081679401441601&authkey=Gv1sRgCOb-h5Pv8Mm5EA&invite=CP3ZnAE&feat=email Thanks to you Suzuki san for this link and pictures.

OBED MULE AND KYUKUSHIN KAIKAN

OSU

The country of origin for Kyukushin is Japan in Okinawa.

Kyokushin kaikan is a style of stand-up, full contact karate, founded in 1964 by Masutastu Oyama who was born under the name Choi. Kyokushinkai is Japanese for "the society of the ultimate truth." Kyokushin is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline and hard training. Its full contact style has had international appeal (practitioners have over the last 40+ years numbered more than 12 million).

Regular training in Kyukushin Karate has had an impact on my life. Infact you become fitter and healthier. In Kyokushin, you will learn to defend yourself, but not in five minutes. Click Kyokushin Karate on My Blog Specials and learn more.

Kyokushin has influenced many of the "full-contact" schools of karate, emphasizing realistic combat, physical toughness, and practicality in its training curriculum. The Kyokushin system is based on traditional karate like Shotokan and Goju-ryu, but incorporates many elements of combat sports like boxing and kickboxing in kumite. Many techniques are not found in other styles of karate. Today, some Kyokushin fighters appear in kickboxing events like K-1.

(pictured is founder of Kyokushin Karate, Masutatsu Oyama).

In this form of karate the instructor and his/her students all must take part in hard sparring to prepare them for full contact fighting. Unlike some forms of karate, Kyokushin places high emphasis on full contact fighting which is done without any gloves or protective equipment. This apparent violence is tempered because non-kick or non-knee strikes are not allowed on an opponents face, aiming to reduce the possibility of serious injury however, knees and kicks to the head and face, are allowed.

In the earliest Kyokushin tournaments and training sessions bare knuckle strikes to the face were allowed but resulted in many injuries, and, thus, students who were forced to withdraw from training. Oyama believed that wearing protective gloves would detract from the realism that the style emphasizes. Therefore, it was decided that hand and elbow strikes to the head and neck would no longer be allowed in training and competition. Furthermore, many governments don't allow bare knuckle strikes to the head in sanctioned martial arts competitions.

(In these 2005 pictures, i pose and practice with my Kyukushin Master Mr. Shuji Nishimura)

Kyukushin has today developed.

Technically, Kyokushin is a circular style. This is in opposition to Shotokan karate, which is considered a linear style, and closer to Goju-ryu, another mostly circular style. Shotokan and Goju-ryu were the two styles of karate that Oyama learned before creating his own style. However, Oyama studied Shotokan for only a couple of years before he switched to Goju-ryu where he got his advanced training.

This is reflected in Kyokushin where the early training closely resembles Shotokan but gradually becomes closer to the circular techniques and strategies of Goju-ryu the higher you advance in the system. The vast majority of Kyokushin organizations and "offshoot" styles today still follow this philosophy.

Technically, Kyokushin is a circular style. This is in opposition to Shotokan karate, which is considered a linear style, and closer to Goju-ryu, another mostly circular style. Shotokan and Goju-ryu were the two styles of karate that Oyama learned before creating his own style. However, Oyama studied Shotokan for only a couple of years before he switched to Goju-ryu where he got his advanced training. This is reflected in Kyokushin where the early training closely resembles Shotokan but gradually becomes closer to the circular techniques and strategies of Goju-ryu the higher you advance in the system.

I really enjoy playing Kyukushin karate thanks to Mr. Shuji Nishimura my sensei.

The Great Migration Begins in Africa!

Each year around the same time the 'Great Wildebeest Migration' begins in the Ngorongoro area of the southern Serengeti of Tanzania. A natural phenomenon determined by the availability of grazing. It is January to March when the calving season begins. A time when there is plenty of rain, and ripened grass available for over 500,000 zebras that precede 1.8 million wildebeest and the following 100,000 plains game. This is embraced by the spectacular phenomenon in their surroundings.

The entirety of the migration is dependant upon the coming of the rains. In Africa's hot and dry climate, such huge numbers of animal life cannot be sustained by one place. They have such a dramatic effect on the grazing pastures, taking no time at all to completely exhaust the available food supply.

Wildebeest are the only land animal to synchronize birthing to within a 2/3-week period. At a time and place, when there is plenty of grass and water to drink. Open plains away from the majority of predators. The rains herald the birth of many animals' young in Africa; such is their dependence on water.

If the majority of young are born around the same time and are able within a few minutes to keep up with their mothers and the constantly moving herds, they are more likely to avoid predation. This is how they move http://safari.go2africa.com/africa-features/wildebeest-migration.asp

KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE WINS COYA 2009

Its my joy and excitement that my organization Kenya Wildlife Service has won the Kenya Institute of Management COYA 2009 awards.

Kenya Wildlife Service is mandated by the Government of Kenya to manage Kenya's Wildlife as a national heritage and it works towards being a World leader in Wildlife Conservation.

The Company of The Year (COYA) programme, has grown to be East Africa's premier showcase for corporate excellence. Now in its tenth year, COYA has enjoyed unparalleled growth and prominence in the corporate world. The COYA Gala Night, which is held every first Friday of July, has become a key event in the Kenyan Corporate diary. This growth is attributed to the continual improvement of the COYA process and the tremendous feedback from the participating companies. COYA awards is an annual event attracting hundreds of organizations in the country.

COYAs 2009, Kenya wildlife Service won because it has successfully transformed itself into a professionally run institution. Its board and management team have implemented modern management practices that have bonded staff, improved business performance and created a clear strategic direction that focuses on sustainability, integrity, professionalism and employee motivation. Earlier in this year, Kenya Wildlife Service was certified with ISO certificate.
In leadership and practices, Kenya Wildlife Service has applied transformational leadership styles to implement change. This has facilitated successful cultural change. Leadership has deployed the corporate mission, vision and values by simplifying the message and abridging it into Kiswahili.

In Governance, Kenya Wildlife Service has worked closely with the board to instill corporate governance practices. The board is ‘above-board’ where clear mandates are stipulated. It has made valuable contributions to a successful strategy implementation.

The CEO of the year was Dr. Julius Kipng’etich, Director Kenya Wildlife Service. This award is given to a CEO who has demonstrated exceptional and practical competencies in leadership, strategy, developing other leaders and in contribution to society. This year, the CEO being awarded has enabled change and transformed the company to a model of performance management that is unique in the public sector.

For manager of the year Award, this manager (Sharon Jelagat –Head of Human Capital) has been an active change agent in the organization .the manager has also been instrumental in re-energizing people motivation and creating sense of bonding, team work and in improving inters personal relations. The manager has introduced documented systems and procedures successfully for managing people and performance.

The Kenya Institute of Management was created in 1954 as a local chapter of the British Institute of Management currently the Chartered Institute of Management of London and Wales. Since inception, KIM has maintained its status as a professional membership organization whose mandate is to promote excellence and integrity in the practice of management and the protection of management profession. Why don’t you tour their webpage: http://www.kim.ac.ke/

HEROIC EISA DANCE

The Eisa Dance is one of the most heroic and powerful dances in Okinawa. Dozens of young men dance with the "paranku" (a kind of snare drum) or bass drum while music is played in the background. Many times young women also join the dance with men as well. The dance was named "eisa" because of the voices shouting "eisa, eisa" during the pause in each phrase. Like the Ryukyu dance, the costume of the Eisa Dance shows many different styles depending on the location of the performance. Traditionally, the Eisa Dance was a dance that accompanied the Bon Festival, but now it is performed all year around in Okinawa.

So i indulged myself to feel this Okinawa experience, its truly a beautiful heroic dance! I am missing a few steps but dont worry am catching up.