Resigning With Grace

I have received numerous questions about my absence from the international school where I used to teach. It is heartwarming that you miss me.

I resigned from that international school. The staff were kind enough to hold a farewell lunch for me and also gift me with a precious bag, which I still use today. 

If you do not see me in any place and are questionins my absence, it is because I resigned. At every single place, I have given 3 months' or 6 months' notice. I still have copies of all the emails of resignation and photos of every final day at that work place.

At every place I have worked, whether on permanent basis or contract, I have given at least 3 to 6 months notice. This helps people prepare for any transition. No matter the situation, it is important to write an official and polite resignation and keep your copy as evidence. 

If you do not see me in any place at all, where \i used to work, whether it was in an office, a school, or an online platform, the reason is simple, I resigned about 6 months in advance and without a doubt, there was a farewell that was held for me. I have all the photos.

This photo was taken in 2014, when The Monitor Newspaper interviewed me at home, about my taste for bold colours and African fabric.

Bless!

Bev

This map of Africa

I have received so many questions about this map of Africa on my head and if I wear it to official functions. Thanks.

It was in December last year, that I lost my second earring from this set of Africa. I was not going to lose them both, which is why I innovated and started to wear it across my forehead. From December 2024, I have worn it to every physical and virtual event-each and every day-even on our long road trip over Christmas.

I have not travelled outside Kampala or Uganda this year as yet, except virtually through my public speaking training sessions.

I wear  this Africa when I am emceeing, when I am being interviewed by researchers. If you see me without it, or another earrin, then that photo or video was taken before December of 2024.

Because I own my style and I am deeply respectful of  various protocols, for example, when I am training participants across different faiths and cultures, I respect their protocol. If I am in a place that is strict on particular formal dresscode, I will adhere to that. I just leave the earring on and because I always deliver with aplomb, it works well.

Kindly note-many people have met me and have said they would like to try it and I encourage them. Certain styles go along with specific personalities though-kindly take note. I know that when we delve into our personal fashion preferences, we will find that additional touch, which suits us perfectly.

Bless!

Bev

The Poet, Where Every Rhyme Means Death, by Michael Connelly

I bought this book at a second hand book store, where, if you are a book lover like me, you will find the most incredible deals. 

The author,  Michael Connelly, is well known for his crime fiction and the title jumped right at me.

'The Poet, Where Every Rhyme Means Death.' With a plot intertwined with the rising number of 'cop suicides,' and a trail that leads a crime reporter to unprecedented twists as he investigates, starting with his own brother's suicide.

With the elements that make great crime; unexpected twists, poorly hidden romance, fruitless pursuits and close calls. As always, it is the person you least expect, the one you have been trying to solve the crime with, the one whom you shared the most valuable details of the mystery, giving them a headstart without knowing.

This gripping from start to finish and is good for long road trips, plane rides, boring meetings and when you just want to stay at home and read a good book.

ROPE-the play with all the right modern buttons

 ROPE is the play that hit the National Theatre Stage in Kampala, with al the right modern buttons. Written by Lloyd Lutara and directed by Kaya Kagimu, this play gave me the feel of exactly what we have been doing for the last five years; speaking into our phone cameras and confessing to deeds which are best left to the ears of a man or woman ordained to receive that level of sorrow and iniquity.

Beverley, Kaya Kagimu and Brenda Ibarah (cast member)

Kaya Kagimu is honoured the 'Feeling,' the poetry anthology celebrating iconic Ugandan women.

ROPE is a tale of how people have been dealing with their self-loathing, their dark deeds and their burdensome identity crises. Through unsolicited advice or confessions on phone cameras. They then post on social media to real and perceived audiences. 

In this modern story of well-written monologues, it is one we have heard many times and yet it feels fresh. A wife and husband are faced with moral dilemmas, unsatisfied sexual desires, in-law interruptions and so they seek for help in unconventional and often questionable places. 

The results of this are as bizarre as they are pitiful, scarred by emotional and physical abuse, wretchedness, unspeakable betrayal and helplessness.

What Lloyd Lutara ahs done is masterful and thanks to the support of a wonderful director, production team and cast, ROPE was definitely worth watching.

The play is still on sale at National Theatre in Kampala, along with his other publications.

Review by Beverley N Nsengiyunva